Katelyn Gendron, currently with WEX, was a Westbrook-Gorham Rotary-sponsored 2003 RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) participant and is a 2005 graduate of WHS.  For her, RYLA was truly a life changing experience where she learned a lot about herself, including finding her passion for helping others achieve their goals.  She was so impressed with RYLA, that she went back as a facilitator from 2004-2007.  After college in Florida, an MBA, and a career start, she returned as a facilitator in 2015 and is now on the Advisory Staff of the program.  She also volunteers with Junior Achievement.

 

Katelyn (right) at RLYA 2003

 

When preparing to speak to us, she asked herself “What is RYLA’s secret sauce?”  She identified three key components:  1) The amazing location at Camp Hinds, in the woods away from electronic devices; 2) Meeting new people from across Maine and New Hampshire, people with whom you have no history, kind of a clean slate; and 3) The caliber of those people – staff and students.

 

RYLA is about “doing”, but is also about “discussing”.  They tackle team challenges using a common model that looks at accomplishing a task through a good, ethical process that leads to positive relationships.   RYLA cultivates a personal growth mindset, where failure is seen as a learning opportunity.  Fundamentally, RYLA is a scholarship program in leadership training.

 

Our Club is proud to have sponsored Katelyn 13 years ago, and continues to be committed to sponsoring several students each year.   To qualify, students must be completing their Sophomore year of high school, complete the RYLA application, and complete an interview. Time is running short, but RYLA applications can be obtained from WHS or GHS Guidance, or by contacting the Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club.

 

L-R: Hal Thomas W-G Rotary RYLA Selection Committee

Katelyn Gendron - RYLA 2003 & RYLA Advisory Staff

Phil Giordano - President 2015-2016 Scarborough Rotary

& District RYLA Chair

Jason Beever - W-G Rotary President-Elect &

RYLA Selection Committee

 

Jason Beever’s family has a long standing commitment to service through Rotary and a long history of family businesses in Gorham.  His great grandfather, Clarence E. Carll, along with his cousin Eugene C. Carll, raised corn on a farm in Buxton and had a corn canning business in Buxton and Gorham.  They also co-owned Carll’s Insurance Agency in Gorham. Clarence eventually took over the business and renamed it C. E. Carll  Agency. He later sold that business to his son-in-law Arthur D. Andrew, Jason’s grandfather.  At the untimely death of his brother Lawrence, Arthur took over L.C. Andrew Lumber Company and sold the insurance agency to Jason’s father John S. “Mike” Beever.

 

According to early records, Clarence joined Westbrook Rotary Club sometime prior to 1928 and was President of the club in 1937-38. Arthur joined as young man in 1934 and was President in 1942-1943.

 

  

  Clarence E. Carll                Arthur D. Andrew

     circa 1928                        circa 1934

 

The club program on October 9, 1984 was a celebration honoring Arthur for 50 years of perfect attendance.  Master of Ceremonies at that meeting was John Hay (Hay Funeral Home) who had achieved his 50 years of perfect attendance the year before in 1983. The two had a friendly rivalry to see who would have the most years of perfect attendance, which was eventually won by John Hay when Arthur's declining health prevented him from going to meetings.

 

Don't forget!    On May 3, our speaker will be Doug Horner, Coordinator of the Stroudwater Christian Church Food Pantry. We hope you will join us and bring a food donation for Doug to take back to the Food Pantry.  

 

Thanks to Judith Reidman for purchasing Hannaford Reusable shopping bags for use in our collection.  If you didn't pick up a bag, no worries.  Just bring your donation on May 3 and we'll pack it into one of our extra bags.

 

All nonperishable items are appreciated.  Items in highest demand are cereal, peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti sauce, and pasta.  Other popular items include tuna, cans or bags of red beans, bags of white rice, oatmeal (cannisters and instant oatmeal packs), Ramen noodles, and toilet paper. Most popular cereal:  Crispy Rice, Toasty O’s, Oats & More, and Raison Bran. Strawberry and raspberry are the jellies most in demand.

 

Thanks to all who have contributed to the Rotary Foundation so far this year.  If you haven't done so yet, there is still time for you to make a donation in the 2015-2016 Rotary year. 

 

Remember, all donations made to the Foundation will be matched dollar for dollar by our club, in your name, up to $100. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to move closer to a Paul Harris Fellow, or the next level of PHF.  You contributions can be made to the Annual Share Fund, to Polio Plus, or to a cause in Rotary's areas of focus like providing clean water, supporting education, and promoting peace.  To receive this match, please make your donation by May 15.

 

You can give on line at   https://www.rotary.org/myrotary, mail a check to The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Dr, Chicago, IL 60693 or call 1 866-976-8279 9:30AM to 6:30PM ET Monday-Friday.  Please help us close out this year on a high note!

 

Individual Rotarian donations of all amounts have made the Rotary Foundation strong, vibrant, and very well regarded for nearly 100 years.  Your contributions have allowed Rotary to make a difference in the lives of millions around the world.  

 

 

6/2/2016 - Charter Night Celebration for Saco Bay Sunset - Dunne Grass Country Club, Old Orchard Beach - Cocktail Hour 6PM. Dinner 7PM.  $75.  Register on line at www.rotary7780.com

 

6/10-6/12/2016 – District Conference at Tarry-A-While Resort, Bridgeton.   PLEASE NOTE: We are now soliciting items for the silent auction.  Items (or gift cards) should be valued at $50 or greater.  Proceeds will benefit the Rotary Foundation. 

 

6/28/2016 RYLA Graduation at Camp Hinds - All are welcome to join the students for Dinner at 5:40 PM in the dining hall, no charge. Student graduation program at 7:00 PM.   District Governor Changeover Ceremony to follow back in the dining hall with "pinning" of the Presidents.

 

​11/10/2016 District 7780 Centennial Celebration - 100 for 100 - A celebration of the 100th year of the Rotary Foundation - Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks. Special guest PRIP Ray Klinginsmith.  $100 per person with $26.50 of this to benefit the Rotary Foundation. 

 

The speaker assignment list has been posted on our website. Look under Site Pages, Program Assignments. Please let Christine Johnson know as soon as you can once you have secured a speaker or if you need help securing a speaker.

 

Thanks for your assistance in providing a great mix of interesting programs for our meetings.

 

Here is the list of upcoming dates: