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Posted by Roger Lindley on May 01, 2019
Rotary has a long history of working with youth from providing scholarships, encouraging youth leadership and student exchange programs, to sponsoring youth-based service clubs. Youth Service is one of Rotary's five official Avenues of Service.

Rotary International's Structured Programs for Youth Service are: Interact, Rotaract, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and Youth Exchange. The month of May is designated as “Youth Service Month” to focus on all Rotary activities that support the development of young people up to the age of 30.
 
Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young people. Made up of members ages 14-18 or secondary-school age, Interact gives young people an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects. Along the way, Interactors develop their leadership skills and initiative while meeting new friends. NOTE: During Rotary Year 2018-2019, CMIRC sponsored the formation of two Interact Clubs in Chiang Mai – the Interact Club of Chiang Mai International School and the Interact Club of Unity Concord International School. (At left, District Governor Roongranee Sangsiri with P. John at the recent District Conference after signing the charter application for the Unity Concord International School.)
 
Rotaract is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30. Rotaract clubs are either community or university based, and they're sponsored by a local Rotary club. This makes them true "partners in service" and key members of the family of Rotary.  NOTE: at the recently completed 2019 Council on Legislation the Council elevated the status of Rotaract clubs. The change broadens the definition of membership in Rotary International to include Rotaract clubs. The change is intended to increase the support that Rotaract clubs receive from RI and to enhance their ability to serve. NOTE: During Rotary Year 2018-2019 CMIRC sponsored the formation of the Rotaract Club of Payap University(below, CMIRC member William Churchill and PYU Rotaractor Dayton Estes participated in the Joint District Conference and 50th Anniversary celebration of Rotaract in Thailand in early April.)

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a leadership program coordinated by Rotary Clubs around the globe. Each year, thousands of young people participate in this program. Young people ages 13–30 are sponsored by Rotary Clubs to attend the event run by the club's district committee. Participants are chosen for their leadership potential. Rotary Clubs and the Rotary District cover all expenses for the participants. The format of the events vary from district to district, but commonly take the form of a seminar, camp, or workshop to discuss leadership skills and to learn those skills through practice. Rotary clubs and districts select participants and facilitate the event's curriculum.
 
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) is a Rotary International student exchange program for students in secondary school. Since 1929, Rotary International has sent young people around the globe to experience new cultures. Currently, about 9,000 students are sponsored by Rotary clubs every year. Typically, students are sent to another country for a year-long stay, generally living with multiple host families during the year and being expected to perform daily tasks within the household as well as attend school in the host country. Short term exchange programs are also quite common. These typically involve direct student exchanges between two families arranged through Rotary to coincide with major school holiday periods.