RYLA
This week we are happy to be featuring the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, including a film from the 2022 program and presentations by 2023 recipients of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Zaire Coltier and Conner Gibbs.
My name is Zaïre Coltier, and I’m 16 years old and living in Ashland. I’m a junior at Ashland High School (AHS) and have been involved in many clubs and sports both inside and outside of school. At AHS, I serve as a co-president of the school’s Black Student Union, advocating for diversity and inclusion in our community. Additionally, I'm a member (and former treasurer) of the National Art Honor Society. Beyond academics, I devote my time to dance classes at Turning Point and volunteer with Southern Oregon’s BASE (Black Alliance for Social Empowerment). My diverse interests and hobbies include art, fashion, dance, politics, language, and design, to name a few.My name is Connor Gibbs, and I am a junior at St. Mary’s school. I am 17 years old and live in Ashland. I am currently attending my third high school at which I am a member of several clubs and
athletics. At school, I partake in Community 101, a club that each year raises a goal amount to donate to a select charity, as well as Interact club which assembles living necessities to donate to the underprivileged. I am also in the running for taking over finance club as well as student body president for my senior year. Beyond that, I am captain of the men’s volleyball team at St. Mary’s and have a passion for pickleball. I also partake in swimming, playing soccer, and playing tennis. Outside school activities, I enjoy writing, drawing, dancing, and singing. One of my personal goals is to be a positive influence and to spread optimism wherever I go.
This week's meeting at noon Thursday will be in-person at Wesley Hall, First United Methodist, 175 N Main, Ashland.
Alan Harper introduced Kenji Hawkins and his mother, Eliana Jaramillo. Kenji is one of our outbound Exchange Students going to Japan and he will be leaving around August. Secretary Pamela Norton introduced new member Peter Schultz. Juli Di Chiro then welcomed Ingi Torfason who is in the membership queue. Juli was followed by Kerry Kencairn who introduced John Souza (our speaker for today) and his colleague Micah Hillis, both from Rusted Gate Farm. Barbara Patridge then reintroduced Matt Clements, also in our membership queue. Susan Jain introduced for a second time, Julie Reeder, hoping that she too will soon become a new member. And finally, our frequent visitor from the Medford Club, Marc Bayliss, was welcomed by Pamela.
Rusted Gate Farm
Kerry Kencairn introduced our guest speaker, John Souza, Program Manager and Outreach Manager at Rusted Gate Farm.
John opened his remarks by saying that it's been 18 years since he addressed the club, the last time being when ARC met at the YMCA. He also has coached many of our members' kids as well as coached with several members as well.
John has been at Rusted Gate Farms for three years. The farm was founded about five years ago, but it originally started in 2014 when sisters Christy Walton and Rachel Hall purchased 154 acres in Central Point. This was at a time when small farmers were disappearing in the area and water shortages were a concern due to the boom in marijuana industry. The idea was to develop an experimental farm that would help other small farms to become profitable.
Rusted Gate Farm's Mission/Vision: "Through sharing outcomes of experimentation with traditional, alternative, and innovative farm practices, Rusted Gate Farm intends to identify a mix of income producing activities that will increase average farm income, promote environmental health, and ensure long term financial security for small farms."
See Read More for more details of the presentation.
Last week's meeting was recorded and edited (thanks, Jack Fenster!)
Ashland Rotary_Mtg. of 04-18-24
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New Member Introduction: Peter Schultz
Sponsor Rich Whitley introduced new member Peter Schultz to the Club. Rich said that he and his wife have known Peter for over 20 years and their kids went to school together. He is a farmer and has also worked in our garden! Rich then presented Peter's bio:"Peter graduated from Southern Oregon University in 1982 and immediately afterward moved to the Seattle area to make his fortune. He got married in 1992 and he and his wife raised three children over the next 20 years or so. Peter says the best job he ever had was getting to be a Dad.
"He started a web-based financial publishing company in 1999 which gave him the geographic freedom to move back to Ashland in 2001. In addition to his publishing company, he also has a small farm on his 5 acres at the northern edge of Ashland and is a minister for the teachings from the Autobiography of a Yogi.
"The reason he wants to join Rotary is that he believes you make a living from the things you get, and you get a life from the things you give."
Peter expressed his appreciation to all for becoming a member of ARC and he looks forward to getting to know each and everyone in the club.
President Janet then welcomed Peter with his club badge and new member introduction packet.
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