Dinner - RYLA students Speaking about their RYLA camp

On Thursday 1st September 2016 President Brian Johnson welcomed 17 Rotarians and Zak Henry and Connor Pratt from Auchmuty High School to this lunch time meeting held at the Gilvenbank Hotel.

On reception this week was Lindsay Roy who said grace and Andy Strachan.

Greetings were brought back by President Brian from the Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy Raith and Jim Boyd from the Rotary Club of Burntisland and Kinghorn.

President Brian mentioned our daughter club the Rotary Club of Kinross having their 40^th Anniversary charter dinner. He also mentioned about the Past Presidents dinner which is being held on the 12^th October at 43 Main Street Milton of Balgonie.

Tracy Thomson mentioned that the Ladies day the main recipient for the proceeds will be for the charity Support in Mind Scotland which seeks to support and empower all those affected by mental illness, including family members, carers and supporters.

Anne Sampson mentioned the possibility of organising a Christmas night out at the Genting Club Casino at Fountain bridge Edinburgh on 25^th November 2016.

Our speaker this week was our RYLA representative from last July supported by Connor Pratt a previous representative who supported Zak on his slide show presentation. Zak spoke about the RYLA events which are for young people aged 16 to 17 years, who are about to start their working lives or to enter higher education, and who have shown leadership potential and are likely, as adults, to become future leaders.  Students are put into mixed groups of complementary ability where they take part in outdoor activities.  They are placed in challenging situations to help develop leadership and team bonding skills and to increase personal confidence. He spoke about how RYLA Changes Lives and said that the experience of RYLA has truly been one of the most memorable and best things he has ever done in his life.  The staff at Castle Head are brilliant, the activities are very good, the food was great, but most importantly the people I met there are now true friends. He spoke about what happened on the course activities included canoeing, abseiling, hiking and camping overnight under canvas.  Students are closely supervised by specialist staff at all times. The students must be prepared for a range of tough physical and mental challenges, such as getting wet, problem solving and practical group leadership exercises where each student has the opportunity to develop key leadership skills. On closing Zak thanked the club for being given the opportunity of going on the camp.

This coming week 8th September 2016 will be a lunch time meeting at the Gilvenbank and will be for Council reports where members will receive an updates from the Council chairs on the club’s projects.

On reception this week 8th September 2016 will be Krishnaswamy. Lindsay Roy and Peter May.