Today we heard from Anoop Mathur, Youth Services Director for the 2020-2021 Rotary year.  Given that Anoop is new to his role with Youth Services and also a relatively new club member, he has approached this challenge by researching the youth-focused programs our club has undertaken in the past or may consider undertaking in the future.  This list includes Camp Enterprise, RYLA, Youth Exchange, STRIVE, STRIPES, literacy projects and Interact/Rotaract groups.  He noted that Rotary International's focus on many youth initiatives such as these is in order to prepare the next generation for leadership and to learn the value of service to others.  Anoop shared that he himself benefited greatly from his own involvement in a Rotaract Club as a young man in India.  Some of the skills these programs impart are around effective communication, team work, and global awareness.  He also noted that most of these programs rely on receiving buy-in and participation from administration and teaching staff at the involved schools.  For the most part, this means Mounds View High School and Chippewa Middle School in our district.