Now Back From RYLA

So I spent the past weekend at RYLA - the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. Truly an educational experience on many levels as I spent 50 hours effectively tethered to nine high school juniors, none of whom knew me or each other prior to beginning the weekend. My group was made up of Alexis Jenkins, George Matta, Chalisa Sims, Reese Russell, Ali Cardenas, Emilie Myers, Maddie Wilson, Tanya Villalpando and Ben Esquivel.
We spent several in-depth hours talking about serious issues, had inspirational speakers like Garry Ridge (WD-40), above, and Jim Brogan, and got to know each other...and ourselves...a bit better.

All this at a campground in beautiful Idylwwild, CA. It was a stereotypical campground

where the food was just so-so, the accomodations drafty and uncomfortable, and the s'mores addictive. And while there were things I would have suggested be done differently, all in all I found the experience to rate 8 on a scale of 10.

If the kids got as much from it as I did, the experience will definitely serve them well.

And in case you're wondering, yes, I would do it again.

Lloyd Trilling Gets Third Paul Harris

Lloyd Trilling has earned his third Paul Harris award. Wow! This guy is really something! Not only is he generous and active in the RB Sunrise Rotary Club, but Lloyd is also one of the main guys putting together RYLA every year. This morning he announced that almost 300 high school juniors will be attending RYLA (The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) in Idyllwild, CA this coming weekend. Great stuff! Craig Brown presents Lloyd with his third Paul Harris pin.

(L-R) RB Sunrise Rotarian Carl Kruse collects congratulations from State Assembly Member Nathan Fletcher, RB Rotarian Marty Judge, and RB Sunrise Rotarian Rob Weinberg

RB Sunrise Rotary Names Carl Kruse “Hats Off Volunteer”

At this past weekend’s “Hats off to Volunteers” event in Webb Park, Poway Councilman Carl Kruse was feted by members of the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary for his community-minded spirit and willingness to volunteer. And volunteer. And volunteer.

“Carl is one of those people who seems to be all places at the same time,” observed club president Nasrin Barbee. “In addition to being past president of the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary club, he’s been on every committee imaginable in our organization, coaching and guiding both new members and veterans alike. He also did a stint Assistant Governor for Rotary International District 5340, which covers San Diego County and parts of Imperial County.”

Kruse is currently the District Governor's Chief of Staff and the District Membership Chair. In addition to having been Assistant Governor, he also helped Rotary International in the recent past as the Club Foundation Chair; was named Rotarian of the Year in 2009; and earned the prestigious Rotary Presidential Citation in 2007. He’s been a Facilitator for the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA); helped a team of the region’s top teenagers to fulfill their leadership potential at the Leadership, Ethics and Determination conference (LEAD); and volunteered to travel to India at great personal expense to aid in that country’s Polio Immunization efforts.

“I’m tired just thinking about it!” Barbee laughed.

With 1.3 million members in over 33,000 clubs worldwide, Rotary International requires a considerable regional administration to support individual club communications, membership development, successful community and international service projects, support of the The Rotary Foundation, and the development of leaders beyond the club level. International headquarters in Evanston, IL, relies on people like Carl Kruse to make things happen successfully.

“Carl has played a significant role within the District 5340 administration during his 14 years in Rotary.” said president-elect Al Watson. “Here is a man who truly lives his life according to Rotary’s Four Avenues of Service-Club, Vocational, Community, and International. He’s an inspiration to us all.”

Carl, whose vehicle license reads SERVIZ, in keeping with Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self”, adheres daily to the motto “Rotary is a Journey, Not a Destination”.

Carl Kruse and the other 64 members of the RB Sunrise Rotary club meet for breakfast at 7:15 am every Tuesday morning at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, 12280 Greens East Road, San Diego, CA 92128. Professionals in the community exploring membership are invited to attend an initial breakfast meeting at no charge. Members of the public are always invited to club meetings, with a $15 charge for those staying for breakfast. Visitors coming to just hear club speakers (starting at 8:00 am) are welcome at no charge.More information about the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary club is available online at http://www.rbsunrise.org/.

Maybe I do write well after all...

Just ran one my Rotary press releases through Gobbledegook Grader and scored an 89 out of 100. Would have gotten 100%, except the program didn't like the fact that there were some unusual names in the release.

BTW - the story with the high grade was this one:

RB Sunrise Rotary Honors Five for Youth Leadership Skills

Continuing its ongoing philosophy of “Service Above Self”, as well as working to forward the interests of every corner of the community, the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club honored five Scripps Ranch High School juniors - Lauren Trott, Emily Berg, Shivangi Maniar, Vanessa Arredondo and Claire Tran - at this week’s breakfast meeting.

Recently returned from the annual Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA), the five students were provided an opportunity to emphasize leadership, citizenship, and personal growth skills during an intensive weekend at Idyllwild Pines Camp in Idyllwild, California. They were joined by hundreds of other similarly-minded youths from San Diego and Imperial Counties for the exercise, whose theme was “Knowledge is Power”.

“RYLA is a training program established by Rotary International for young community activists. It emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth” explained program coordinator Lloyd Trilling as he introduced the students sponsored by RB Sunrise Rotary. In addition, RYLA gives participants an opportunity to:

• Share motivating experiences with influential members of regional business and community groups


• Be mentored to further develop their talents and abilities


• Accomplish personal goals through teamwork
  

“This weekend inspired us all that we can make a difference in the world” recalled Shivangi Maniar. It’s a difference they’ll continue to reflect upon at the anniversary of their RYLA participation. This is when each participant will receive a letter she wrote to herself about how she envisions her future.

The 65 professionals of the RB Sunrise Rotary meet at 7:15 every Tuesday morning at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, 12280 Greens East Road, San Diego, CA 92128. Members of the public are invited to attend these meetings.

Additional information about RYLA is available at http://www.rotary.org/en/studentsandyouth/youthprograms/RotaryYouthLeadershipAwards(RYLA)/Pages/ridefault.aspx.

For additional information on the RB Sunrise Rotary, visit the club’s website at http://www.rbsunrise.org/.