May is Rotary’s Youth Service Month and Rotary Clubs focus on Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Rotaract Clubs, and Youth exchange. High school students who demonstrate leadership qualities apply and some are chosen for RYLA. For Rotarians, RYLA offers the opportunity to help develop leaders in our communities and for us to pass on valuable expertise.
Do you know any high school students who would be interested in traveling to another country through an exchange program and subsequently families who would be interested in hosting a high school student from another country? Do you want to start and/or lead an exchange program, talk to other clubs about doing something together?
Rotaract is now defined as a Rotary sponsored service club for individuals ages 18-30. These clubs are usually community or university based and are sponsored by a local Rotary club. Together they are true partners in service and key members of Rotary and the community. Rotaractors will often take on Interact Club promotion and growth through interaction with high schools and youth leadership programs. Young adults address the physical and social needs of their communities through building friendships and goodwill while also promoting international understanding and peace. Rotaractors motto is “fellowship through service”.
What if the Comstock Rotary Club had a Rotaract Club that met twice a month? Perhaps some of our Rotarians would be interested in coming out to meet with them, share with them, guide them, introduce them to a life of service, a world of peace. Would you be interested in helping to start such a club in the 2023-2024 year?
What if a group of 18-30 year olds were able to help out at the Chicken BBQ’s, coat drives, bell ringing, Santa Claus Girls (and Boys), improve the water wheel at Dwight-Lydell Park, clean up and plant flowers at the cemetery at the Veteran’s home, start a Spring Event tied to the White Pine Trail right in Comstock Park. Could we walk or ride our bike on the trail to raise money in and for our community?
With only one more month left in our 2022-2023 Rotary Year could you imagine being a Rotarian and making a real difference in our community with our very best resources, our Youth. In the 2023-2024 Rotary Year, can we Create Hope in the World starting in our communities with our Youth?
A special thank you to Bob Homan who has been an excellent advocate for our youth and who continues to lead our scholarship program! Kevin Gritters, Michelle Cooper, and Deb Benjamin who will also be reviewing scholarship applicants for Comstock Park and Kenowa Hills School districts.
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