Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary's leadership training program for young people. RYLA participants can be ages 14-30, but most clubs and districts choose to focus on a narrower age range, such as 14-18 or 19-30.
RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth, and aims to
Demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for youth
Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders
Encourage leadership of youth by youth
Recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities
Rotaract and Interact key messages
The RI Board has recently adopted key messages for Rotaract and Interact to help guide and focus the efforts of Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors. Build stronger Interact and Rotaract programs in your district by sharing these messages with your district governor, district Rotaract and Interact committee chairs and representatives, and presidents of Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs.
Key messages for the Rotaract program
• Promote Rotaract to maintain the continuity and growth of the program by using publications, video, the Internet, club presentations, district meetings, and other methods. • Establish strong relationships between Rotaract clubs and their sponsor Rotary clubs. Involve Rotaractors in the life of the district, including regular meetings with sponsor Rotary clubs, attendance at district events, and working together on service projects. Welcome requests from Rotaractors for Rotarians to be involved in Rotaract activities. • Create and help maintain strong, motivated Rotaract club membership with a diversity of ages between 18 and 30. • Increase the capacity of Rotaract clubs to provide service through cooperation with the family of Rotary. Work together with Rotary, Interact, other Rotaract clubs, and groups such as RYLA participants and Rotary Foundation scholars on projects and activities. • Provide training opportunities to Rotaract club officers and district Rotaract representatives. • Develop future leaders through Rotaract. Mentor Rotaractors to increase their professional and leadership skills and encourage high ethical standards. • Recognize clubs and individuals at the district level that have made outstanding service contributions through Rotaract or have strengthened the Rotary-Rotaract relationship. • Welcome former Rotaractors into Rotary clubs. Create and maintain a district Rotaract alumni program in support of this effort.
Key messages for the Interact program
• Promote Interact to maintain the growth and continuity of the program. Use publications, video, the Internet, club presentations, and other methods. District Interact chairs and representatives should create a district Interact newsletter. • Establish strong relationships between Interact clubs and their sponsor Rotary clubs. Invite Interactors to attend meetings of the sponsor Rotary club, and include them in service projects, such as polio eradication efforts. Suggest that Rotary clubs appoint an Interact committee. • Share information about Rotary with Interactors to develop a lifelong interest in Rotary. Distribute Rotary publications such as the governor’s monthly letter, Rotary Leader, and The Rotarian or regional magazine to Interact clubs. • Work with Interactors aging out of the Interact program or relocating, to find new potential Rotaract or Interact clubs. • Consult with Interact clubs to develop a district wide service project for all Interact clubs. • Ask Interactors to give presentations on their club’s projects at Rotary club and district meetings. • Recognize Rotarians who are involved in Interact at the club and district level.
Revised RI Strategic Plan
The revised RI Strategic Plan went into effect 1 July. After an extensive review, the RI Board of Directors presented the plan, which comprises three priorities: support and strengthen clubs, focus and increase humanitarian service, and enhance public image and awareness. The second priority encompasses several goals. Along with eradicating polio, expanding strategic partnerships and cooperative relationships, and creating significant projects locally and internationally, it aims to increase sustainable service focused on New Generations Service programs. Read about the revised RI Strategic Plan, and share it with Rotarians in your district.
Rotary coordinators now active in your region
RI has added another resource to help you improve your world: the Rotary coordinators program. In tune with the theme Building Communities — Bridging Continents, the Rotary coordinators are 41 dedicated Rotarians, spread around the globe, who will help you strengthen your club’s local and international service efforts. Learn more about the Rotary coordinators program, and find your area's coordinator.
Upcoming events
District 6710 Rotaract Leadership Training Seminar Louisville, Kentucky, USA 24-25 July This intensive weekend training program for Rotaract leaders is hosted by District 6710 on the campus of Bellarmine University. Rotaractors, interested Rotarians, and Rotaract advisers from other districts are invited to participate. Topics will apply to both university- and community- based Rotaract clubs. Learn more.
RYLA District 7670 Education and Development Training Institute (READ) North Carolina, USA 15-17 October This weekend conference for RYLA directors, Rotarians, counselors, and sponsors is hosted by District 7670 (North Carolina, USA). Get ideas for your district’s RYLA program through workshops on topics such as ethics, community service, outdoor/experiential leadership, group and team dynamics, and youth leadership activities. Learn more.
2010 Ecuadorian, Bolivian, Peruvian, and Chilean Rotaract Conference (ERBOPECH) Manabí, Ecuador 11-14 November This 22nd annual meeting is hosted by Rotaractors from District 4400 (Ecuador). Two hundred Rotaractors from the Central Andean region and other areas throughout Latin America are expected to attend. Learn more.
Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference (APRRC) 2010 Sydney, Australia 25-28 November This seventh annual meeting is hosted by Rotaractors from District 9680 (Australia). Hundreds of Rotaractors from across the Asia Pacific region are expected to attend. Learn more.
Nadine Jbeily
