At our meeting on Tuesday
Richard Solomon welcomed then introduced the 2017 RYLArians sponsored by the club – 15 in total work sponsored in 2017 and 10 were in attendance at the meeting. 
Those attending were Kate Murphy, Katie Philson, Thomas Patrick, Tu Hona, Freya Lewis, Harrison Tocher, Jordan Kirk, Justin Cho, David McKenzie and Sam Howard.
Richard paid thanks to the corporate sponsors who assisted particular Vector, BNZ, Fulton Hogan, North Power and Watercare. He then handed over to our RYLA guests who each spoke of the experience and what they had gained from the course.
Some of the words spoken were “ it carries a mystique”, “the best week of my life”, “amazing”, “I was pushed outside my comfort zone”, “I enjoyed the physicality and were great speakers”, quote limits are only where you put them”, “diversity made special – diversity of speakers, people on the course and experiences”, “I had never been tramping – there was a big surprise”, “spooning with strangers in the cold” (what an experience), “after being in the rain for 27 hours I felt stretched but up to it and will never forget the whole week”, “the island group was my biggest learning experience”, “I’m so proud of myself as quote, “planning, implementing and managing the team when tired was a big learning experience”, “I learnt to bring everyone up to the team level – not down”, “the after-dinner conversations were the best”, “one week without a phone – still one of the best weeks of my life and who would have believed it”.
It was very clear that the RYLA event was a game changer for many of these people and will impact on their lives and careers significantly. The enthusiasm for RYLA was clear as was the desire to help with next years event something Peter Ross as event organiser was gleefully able to seize upon. As well as hitting up members for support at the same time as Newmarket Rotary is running the event next year.
ehan who is the event manager at Ronald McDonald House and herself a past RYLArian. 
