Rotary Education...New Generations
This month, September, is New Generations Month.
In April, Representatives at the 2010 Council on Legislation approved an enactment to add a fifth Avenue of Service: New Generations.
After adopting an amendment to change the name from Youth Service, as originally proposed, to New Generations, the Council supported the addition to article 5 of the Standard Rotary Club Constitution.
New Generations now joins Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, and International Service as the foundation of club activity. And as we know, before starting a project, Rotarians are asked to think broadly about how their club and its members could contribute within each avenue. Now we will include New Generations.
Many in Rotary’s leadership feel that this was a significant change and a historic day which represents the future of Rotary. We as Rotarians have always strongly supported youth activities even though they were never one of the four Avenues of Service and it is thought that having it as one of our four avenues of service will work to strengthens our commitment. Rotary II has a New Generations director on our board…Sheri Charles Rogers and we continue our commitment to Youth.
Thousands of people age 30 and younger participate in Rotary programs to learn skills that will help them become future leaders.
Youth programs allow participants to discover more about themselves and the world by participating in community projects, leadership training, or cultural exchanges. Young people also learn about the principles of ethics, service, and fellowship that Rotarians exemplify. We, as members of Rotary II know this first hand because of all the youth programs we have sponsored through the years and will continue to sponsor.
The Avenue of New Generations recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults involved in leadership development activities, community and international service projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding.
So how do we effectively get the word out……. RI is encouraging Rotarians to embrace social networks by joining Facebook and Twitter, for example, to better connect with young people about what’s available for them to participate in through Rotary. Rotary St. Thomas II uses Facebook, thanks to PP Simon Caines!! We always stay on the cutting edge of current trends, don’t we !!!
With social networking, members can also share their experiences and the benefits of joining a youth program. Being a part of these programs is fun and we need to get that message out there. With the technology available now, Rotarians and young people can more effectively spread the word about Rotary and build closer relationships between youth program participants and their sponsor club or district.
Rotary International always puts its money where its mouth is! Recognizing the importance of youth in Rotary's future, Past RI President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson appointed the Youth Services Resource Group in 2007-08. The group works to increase membership in Rotary's youth programs: Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards ( RYLA), and Rotary Youth Exchange.
The Youth Services Resource Group provides guidance to Rotary clubs and districts on projects and activities that serve youth in their communities. The group also promotes information sharing and best practices within Rotary’s four youth programs. RI is always there for us to provide the support we need and in our next Rotary information session we will focus on that.
Respectively submitted,
Marilyn Blackhall, Membership Chair