The 2004 RI RYLA Committee consists of the following members: Chairman: Brian Knowles, Australia; Vice-Chair: Julio Sorjus, Spain. Members: Michael Bandry, South Africa; Anthony Brockington, USA; Osamu Kometani, Japan; Shekhar Mehta, India; Henry Pick, USA; Norman Proctor, England. Resources, Marlene Brown, webmaster; Carrie Hanson, R.I. Headquarters. Rotary International President Jonathan B. Majiyagbe.
2003 RYLA Chairman: Brian Knowles, Australia
Brian Knowles -- Chair, RYLA committee, 2003-2004. Rotarian since 1960. Served as District Governor in 1969/70 of District 9600 (the district in Australia where RYLA originated) - Director of Rotary International 1986/88, serving as Treasurer in 1987/88 - Has been actively involved in PolioPlus program since 1990 having served as Chairman of the Western Pacific PolioPlus Committee from its formation in 1992 to 2000 when the committee finished its task with the certification of the region as being polio free. Still serves as National Advocacy Adviser for PolioPlus for Australia, and is Assistant Chair of the PolioPlus Partners Task Force. This year serves as Chairman of the Nominating Committee for President 2005/06 - member of the President's Advisory Committee - member of the Extension of Rotary to China sub-committee in addition to serving as Chairman of RYLA.
2004 RYLA Chairman Knowles Message
"I am delighted to have the opportunity of serving as Chairman of the RI RYLA committee this Rotary year - 2003/04, having had the privilege of serving as Governor in 1969/70 in the District where RYLA had its beginnings - District 260, now 9600. At that time, I also attended a meeting where representatives from other parts of Australia and New Zealand were briefed on the program with a view to its expansion into other Districts.
Today, it is most satisfying to receive reports on RYLA seminars in all corners of the globe and to realise what has developed from those modest beginnings. Those of you who visit this website obviously have a deep interest in this program and I trust you will continue to encourage the support for RYLA in your Clubs and Districts. The rest is history. It is appropriate that one of President Johnathan's Celebration Conferences will feature RYLA and will be held in Perth, Western Australia, next January.
In recent years, we have seen the programming of pre-convention RYLA seminars, the latest at Margate immediately before the 2003 Brisbane Rotary International Convention. Attendees were enthusiastic about the opportunity to attend a meeting with such an international content. Regrettably, because of budgetary concerns, the Board have determined that a similar meeting will not be held in Osaka in 2004. I know the Board were disappointed that this decision had to be made, and we certainly hope that we will see a return of the pre-convention seminars in the not too far distant future.
However, those of you who are planning to attend our next Convention will be pleased to know there will be some RYLA content in the Osaka program. A RYLA workshop is planned for one of the break out meetings, and will give you the opportunity to share your views on this wonderful program. Please make a note of it in your diary. Thank you for your interest in this program, and I hope you will continue to be a supporter and a promoter of RYLA in all of your Rotary activities. Brian Knowles, Chairman, RI RYLA Committee 2003/04."
The RI RYLA Committee provides support and guidance to Rotarians carrying out RYLA programs and encourages RYLA training at zone and district levels to expand and strengthen the program. For further info, contact the committee member nearest you.
Make plans to join us at the RYLA International Convention in Osaka, Japan 2004.
2004 RYLA Committee Members:
Spain: Vice Chair - JULIO SORJÚS
JULIO SORJÚS, Barcelona, Spain Director, Rotary International, 1998-2000 Julio Sorjús is an attorney and a partner and chairman of the Sorjús Law Firm. A Rotarian since 1983, Mr. Sorjús is a member and charter past president of the Rotary Club of Barcelona-Condal. He has served RI a district governor, director, member and chairman of many regional and international committees, group discussion leader and training leader at the RI International Assembly, moderator at RI institutes and conventions, and RI presidential representative to numerous local meetings and district conferences. He was chairman of the 1992 RI President's Conference on Goodwill and Development in Barcelona, and of the 1997 RI President's Conference on Middle Eastern Development in Cairo, Egypt which explored opportunities for service and cooperation among the Rotary clubs of the Mediterranean and Middle East in addressing issues of education, health, leadership and human values. For eight years Mr. Sorjús worked with his local Rotary Youth Exchange program, helping to coordinate exchange visits for nearly 2,000 students, and he has supported Rotary's Group Study Exchange, an international exchange program for professionals. He has also supported the work of Rotary's Intercountry Committees (ICC), which work to increase international understanding and good will by encouraging exchanges between Rotary clubs of different countries and cooperation in implementing international service projects. Mr. Sorjús has participated in the work of Spain's ICCs with France, Italy and Great Britain. Mr. Sorjús is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Barcelona and was an Associate Professor of Procedure Law at the University of Barcelona Law Faculty. He is a member of the Barcelona Bar Association, a past senior vice president of a national bank, and director of several financial and industrial corporations. He was a committee member of the Spanish associations for Alzheimer's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. Mr. Sorjús also serves as legal advisor to two international charitable foundations. - August 2003
India: Shekhar Mehta District 3290, Calcutta - India. Joined Rotary in 1985. Was the Coordinator for the R.I. Presidential Peace Conference at Kathmandu (Nepal) in 1995-96. Was Assistant Secretary of Zone Institute at Calcutta in 1998-99. Served as District Governor in 1999-2000, was Campaign Associate for Polio Eradication Private Sector Campaign 2001-03, RI President Rep. - to R.I.District 3240 in 2001-02, He is recipient of Meritorious Service Award of the Rotary Foundation in 2001-02, was Zone Co-ordinator - Community Service Task Force in 2001-02, He was Member of National Committee for Polio Eradication Fund Raising Campaign in 2002-03, was Co-ordinator 2003 Brisbane Convention Promotion Com (Zone 5&6). Is Chairman Zone 5&6A Literacy Com 2003-04, He has been invited to serve as Group Discussion Leader 2004. He will represent his District Council On Legislation for 2004. PDG. Shekhar Mehta, RYLA Committee.
South Africa Michael Bandry: 1980 Inducted into rotary. 1981 Vocational Service Committee Chairman. 1983 Club President. 1984 G.S.E. Team Leader. 1991 District Governor. 1992 International Drug-abuse Task Force Member. 1992 -93 District Foundation Committee Member. 1994 R.I.P.P.R. in Sierra Leone at District Conference. 1994-95 District R.Y.L.A. Co-ordinator. 1995 President-elect Luis Giay's Planning Committee. 1996 Assistant Moderator at International Institute in Calgary. 1996 Area Co-ordinator for Africa on the New Generations Task Force. 1996 R.I.P.P.R. at the International Association of Volunteers Conference in Cape Town. 1996-97 Zone Training Leader at the Zone Institute in Rome. 1997 3-H Cadre Regional Advisor for Africa (three year appointment). 1997 TOP TEN ROTARIAN award from Luis Giay at the International Institute in Glasgow. 1997-98 Member of the International Rotaract Committee. 1997 Panel Member at the Int'l Rotaract Pre-convention in Singapore. 1998 Invited to be an assistant chief sergeant-at-arms at Buenos Aires Convention.
USA: Anthony Brockington
Japan: Osamu Kometani
England: Norman Proctor
Founder President Saltram Plympton, D1290: DG 1992-93. (Introduced RYLA to the District in that year); RI Assembly Training Leader 1996 and 1997; Service as Generall Co-ordinator Community Concerns Task Force; Area Co-ordinator Membership Task Force; Member Brisbane Convention Committee (RYLA Reporter); Advisor TRF Permanent Fund; President RIBI 2000-2001: RYLA Course Rotary Presenter and sponsor since 1994.
Nigeria - Rotary International President
JONATHAN B. MAJIYAGBE, Kano, Nigeria RI President 2003-04 • Chairman, African Regional PolioPlus Committee 2000-02 • Chairman, World Affairs committee 2001-02 • Member, International PolioPlus Committee 2000-01 • Trustee, The Rotary Foundation, 1993-96 • Director, Rotary International, 1988-90
USA - Web Resource
Marlene B. Brown, PP New Hartford Rotary Club, MPHF, Benefactor, District 7150 Chair of Centennial Celebration & Director of Internet Communications, Webmaster for: RYLA, District 7150, D7150 YE site; Rotary e-Club NY1; current President of Rotary e-Club NY1
2001 Committee * 2002 Committee * 2003 Committee
