Meeting Notes - July 24, 2012

Meeting this week was held once again at the Hilton Garden Inn. Food was yummy and we were in a smaller cozier room. So cozy a group had to sit out in the hallway at the check in table!

No Visiting Rotarians this week and no guests.

Welcome back Sheila Martin!

Reminder that Renz Gulch is August 21st, at 5:30 and is our regular weekly meeting. Tri-tip, Santa Maria Steak, Beans, Salad and Dessert will be served.

Logistics were reviewed for the Wine Tent for the Garlic Festival and a special Thank You to Brad for getting the wine for the tent and making it all happen. We have 350 Volunteers and 50 are Rotarians.

Gregg reminded everyone about the Receiving Blanket Project and that the District Governor is coming on August 7th and will be collecting them. Donate money to our Fancy Jar or bring in some new receiving blankets.

Paul Vanni won the Bone Marrow drawing of $609! Woo Hoo!

Sherriff was Jim Habing who pointed out that 90% of the people he fines are usually dead. He auctioned off an Original copy of the First Garlic Festival poster and Donny DeLorenzo won with a winning bid of $110.

The six RYLA students were present to share their experience with the club.  RYLA is held at San Jose YMCA Camp Campbell in Boulder Creek. Here are some things the students said about their experience as we watched a slide show that Fernando one of the students put together:

Thao who is a student at Gilroy High School said it was a blessing to be there and that the experience changed her as a person. She has never felt so accepted by a group of people before. (she became tearful at this point and so did a whole bunch of us!) She said if people think Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth then they’ve never been to RYLA!

Ashley said she made some friends for life and has not experienced this at her high school or work. Every Camper changed for good. They also view the world differently not judging but seeing the beauty in it.

Veasna Khay from Christopher High School said it was awkward the first night but within 5 days he made closer friends than some he’s had since kindergarten. Hanging in he Cabin was the best part and on the last day they stayed up until 5:30 AM!

Julie Graham from Christopher High School said she was scared and is not usually outgoing. She’s a musician and a singer and was put in “Band and Chorus”. They had a Talent Show and she performed in front of 200 people and it really helped her confidence. Now she is recording some of her work.

Jessica Cabatingan said leadership just isn’t about yourself or what you are building but about the people you are with. Everyone is supporting. There is no better generation to lead the world in the future!

Fernando Lopez, the slide show creator and stealer of the camp farewell video, said RYLA helped break down barriers because he’s normally shy. He said it was fun when the Girls and Boys debated who had it harder in life. He had a small “family” of 20 students and because of their size they were closer than some of the larger groups.

They all talked about a man who brought about 200 instruments for an hour and connected them all with energy through music. It was a great experience.

They said you have the feeling like it’s not just you against the world because you have RYLA! Someone said when they post on Facebook the first friends to offer words of support are their RYLA friends.

The students were asked a few questions. One was from Jeff Orth who asked if they still know the 4 Way Test and they all simultaneously turned their badges around they were wearing and started to read it. Jessica did a rap of the 4 Way Test, it was awesome!

The one thing the girls learned was never take your bathroom for granted, the septic system was clogged and overflowing and they had to bring in port-a- potties.

Next week for Rotary will be Dark.

August 7th is next meeting where the District Governor will be speaking.

Kurt Michielssen won the club Raffle.