From your district governor: We are making leaders in D6420!
Posted by Jim Nelson
on May 10, 2016
Opportunity or obligation?
I think we all feel an obligation to help with our youth. We read in schools. We offer students free books and/or dictionaries. We tutor as needed, and we extend ourselves and our clubs in many different ways.
What is your club doing? Can you do more?
Our youth programing over the District is expansive, too. We have Early Act Clubs in several schools. In those clubs we work with grade school students to teach the values that we, as Rotarians, live by. What a time to work with these young, formative minds!
As the students get older, they can participate in over 20 Interact clubs in our district’s high schools. We provide opportunities for young men and women to enhance the knowledge and skills that will assist them in personal development to address the physical and social needs of their communities -- and promote better relations between all people worldwide through a framework of friendship and service.
For ages 18-30, there's Rotaract. We have only a couple in the district, but whether it be through a community college, a university or even a community-based club, we can work in your community.
At the recent District Conference in Rockford, several dozen Interactors and youth exchange students from our clubs gathered to discuss projects and pledged to continue district-wide communications.
As far as Youth Exchange goes, you are on the ground floor of the finest youth exchange program in the world.
Because of you and your club we can offer high schoolers the opportunity of a lifetime.
If there were no Rotary clubs these same eager students would have to rely on other, much more expensive programs that do not offer the network and safety of Rotary. We send and accept dozens of students from all around the world every year. Whether is a two-month summer program or a full school-year experience, we are here to serve. Your students, parents, schools and communities all gain.
We also offer Ambassadorial Scholarships within our district. These $25,000-$30,000+ scholarships to study abroad are a direct result of our contributions to the Rotary Foundation. It’s really your money at work! Do you have interested, qualified students who should be applying?
The first weekend in May each year finds us hosting our annual RYLA camp in Oregon. RYLA is Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. This year nearly district 100 high schoolers participated. Each student was sponsored by a local club to the tune of $175 for the three-day weekend.
Thank you all for your continued support of our young people. We are making leaders right here in District 6420. May is Youth Services Month, but in reality, every month is.