Rotateller Rotary Club of Owego, NY
Tuesday, June 18, 2006 Gary Williams, Editor

Today’s bulletin prepared by Judith Kip. Thanks, Judy!

GUESTS:

Gerd Jacobs, guest of Hal, and the three RYLA participants who were today’s speakers: Mike Albrecht, Vivek Patel, and Dawn Thomas.

BIRTHDAYS:

Bill Moon on the 19th and Susan English on the 20th.

MUSIC:

Carl and Carolyn led us in “The Get Together Song.”

FINES:

Orv fined those members who have not had unwanted water in their homes recently.

AWARDS:

This was Carolyn Galatzan’s day. Not only is she back in the Southern Tier after “suffering through” time in Hawaii, but Orv presented her with an unsung hero award for her Rotary work. Then John Jones presented her with a Paul Harris pin in recognition of her multiple Paul Harris Fellowship contributions.

HAPPY DOLLARS:

Al Sunderwirth was happy that his wife was able to surprise him last week with a birthday party. Several Rotarians were happy to have spent time with Robin and Joe Harland who were in Owego last weekend.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Relay for Life: John Jones reminded those who signed up to pick up shirts and to walk for cancer research on July 21 and 22.
• Bike Tioga: Judy Kip and Al Sunderwirth circulated sign-up sheets for the many volunteer positions open for this event. Bike Tioga will be held August 12 and 13, starting from the Hickories Park, and 75 to 100 riders are expected. Volunteers are needed to mark routes during the week before the event, to work at the registration tables on the days of the event, to man cell phone outposts along the routes, and to coordinate the food which will be served to returning riders. Contact Judy Kip (687-0993) if you would like information or to volunteer.
• Board Meeting: This Thursday, the 20th, at 7:30 a.m. at the Treadway. Bob Fisher will be inducted into the club prior to the meeting. All members are welcome.
• District events: Al Bingley has a list of golf tournaments around the area and anyone interested in playing should contact Al for specifics. He announced the Orv has been selected to work at the district level providing ideas for Rotary’s water initiatives.

PROGRAM:

We heard from the four students our club sent to participate in the 2006 RYLA program at Hartwick College in Oneonta at the end of June. RYLA is the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program for high school students who will be seniors in the fall. This was the 24th year for the District 7170 conference giving students the opportunity to live on a college campus and to work and play in an atmosphere of competition and cooperation to develop the responsibilities required for good leadership.

Mike Albrecht, from Newark Valley, spoke about the program for the week. A typical day went something like this: up at 6:30, breakfast, two speakers, lunch and a break, speakers or small group activities, interest group activities (wall painting, computers, yearbook, board games, fitness, etc.), dinner, speakers or small group activities, social activities, bed.

Dawn Thomas, Owego, spoke about the social aspects of RYLA. Dawn was amazed that when arriving on Sunday she knew only two or three others there but by leaving on Friday she knew all but a few of the 110 students there. Participants were urged to eat meals with new people each day and there was lots of time for socializing. At night they played poker (with cereal bits as chips), visited the library, and one night had a dance. Dawn thought the small group activities were wonderful opportunities to discuss home and life issues with each other.

Vivek Patel, Owego, was asked to speak about what he would change about RYLA. It sounded like there was very little save the food and the number of steps on the Hartwick campus that he would change. He agreed that the small groups were an important part of RYLA and said the students became very close during the week.

Nicole Vavra was unable to attend but sent a letter to the club, which Mike read. Her initial worries about loneliness were soon dispelled and she enjoyed the week. She wrote that the speakers were good and that it was informative to have some Oneonta residents living on campus due to the flooding.

All the students expressed their thanks to the club for this opportunity.

50/50 went to Ed Arrington.

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