President the Hon. John Guthmann brought the meeting to order at 12:16 p.m. on a cloudy spring day in downtown Saint Paul. Today was the Camp RYLA 2015 Closing Celebration! RYLA campers led the assembled Rotarians in singing God Bless America accompanied by Bob Jones on the piano. A RYLA camper provided today's invocation. Today's Greeters were Alan Inge and Andy Currie.

 

A RYLA camper facilitated the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests. There were many visiting Rotarians from all around the State befitting the Camp RYLA festivities! RYLA parents were recognized and applauded. All other RYLA celebration visitors were asked to stand and were recognized. 

President John asked that a bit of Club 10 business be conducted. Doug Bruce rose to provide a Feed My Starving Children project wrap up. Patrick Brown was Doug's Co-chair this year. Feed My Starving Children was started as a Centennial Project by Club 10 so it is in its sixth year. Over 163,000 meals were packed this year bringing the six year total to over 900,936 meals. Doug recognized the founding Chair and Co-chair for the first five years of the project: Clyde Nelson and Doug Hartford. RYLA campers also participated. RYLA rocks!

Lynn Beck talked about next weeks Education Day. Middle School students will be present and the Teacher of the Year for 2015 will be named. Past President Jim Kosmo spoke about the May 19th "Values Day" which will be one of the first events in the Saint Paul Saints new CHS Field. The theme is "Trust Doesn't Really Matter." Registration could be boosted. Speakers for the day will include J Robinson, U of MN Varsity Wrestling Coach. Steve Turk, Marvin Windows Corp Counsel and Ethics professor at the University of Saint Thomas among others.

RYLA campers Alex and Rohan chaired the remainder of the celebration. There were presentations by all teams, especially team cheers: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green and Gray Teams all presented. It was noted that the RYLA campers packed over 48,000 Feed My Starving Children meals for the project during the three days of camp. Campers commented about their experiences, about developing trust, becoming family, the unbreakable bonds formed and the life changing experience that is Camp RYLA. There was a brief report about the RYLA Olympics: six unique challenges related to trust and leadership skills.

Junior Counselor representative Paul rose to speak about his experience. Although it lasts only three days, the campers quickly help each other. One of the lessons learned is that you are a special person, no matter what someone might say otherwise. He thanked his fellow Junior Counselors and Adult Counselors for a great experience. "Team work makes the dreams work."

A video slide show of the three days of Camp RYLA 2015 was shown. The Planning Committee members were asked to stand and were recognized. Steve Gerber, Camp Director, was then introduced and recognized by President John. Camp Director Steve thanked the Junior Counselor's and asked that they stand and be recognized; then that the Adult Counselor's stand and be recognized; and finally that past Camp Directors stand and be recognized.

Camp Director Steve recalled Monday night and asked campers to remember it. "RYLArians. Rotary community. Help make the community better. Keep giving back. Join up someday when you are ready.  If you can't find a Club, start one." All RYLArians stood up, were recognized and were applauded. Steve then made a request for drivers to assist the students in getting home from today's celebration.

Steve recognized Jodi Erickson, Rotary Administrator, for her support to Camp RYLA 2015 in her first month on the job.

President John thanked Camp Director Steve for being 2015 Camp RYLA Director and noted that a donation in his name would be made to the Saint Paul Public Library's "Read With Me" program. President John also presented RYLA campers Alex and Rohan with Rotary coins inscribed with the Four-Way test. He then led those assembled in a recitation of the Four-Way Test ("Is it the Truth?  Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?  Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?"). 

President John then rang the Club 10 bell to bring the meeting to a close at 1:08 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,

Chuck Standfuss