Bexhill Rotarians elect new officers

AT their recent Special General Meeting, Bexhill Rotarians elected three new officers - John Coles, who joined the club in 2004, as vice president; John Cooper, who transferred into the club in 2007 from another Rotary club, as president-elect James Slinn, who became a member last year, as honorary treasurer.

Voting was preceded by Amelia Harrison and Josh Bishop, both ex-students of St Richard’s Catholic College in Bexhill, who talked about their experiences earlier in the year at the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA).

RYLA is run as a three-day weekend residential leadership course for young people aged 14 to 18 years at the Arethusa Venture Centre near Rochester, Kent, with attendees sponsored by Rotary Clubs throughout the south east.

Amelia and Josh said that following introductions on the first evening, the weekend had started with an assault course. ensuring all participants bonded quickly as they had to rely on each other to get through.

The weekend had flown by with many more activities to help with leadership skills, and Amelia and Josh agreed it was a challenge, it was enjoyable, it was beneficial, it was demanding but, above all, it was a real confidence builder which brought out their individual skills.

It also meant they made some amazing new friendships with several others on the course. Both agreed it was really good for their personal development and thanked Bexhill Rotary Club for giving them the opportunity to take part.