RYLA Weekend
Janice said the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards are desinged to promote and teach leadership, citizenship and individual growth, to encourage leadership of youth by youth and to recognize youth that are active in the community. The idea was started in Australia and the program is now in over half the 521 Districts. Participants tend to be in the 14-18 year range and last year the District sponsored 42 participants which increased this year to 60 including 8 who returned as leaders.
Janice introduced Jenny Long who works with the Students Against Impaired Driving, and Brett Sinkinson who is a cub leader, involved in public speaking and was Rotary's delegate to the last Adventures in Technology.
They thanked the Club for the opportunity, saying they learned a lot and that they enjoyed the excellent facility.
Part of the program was a self analysis test that was used to assign people to groups for mutual support. The goal is to get participants to look beyond the immediate. They quoted examples - you're part of a group that is waiting for someone to unlock a door but no one had tried the door to see that it is actually locked. Be that person. They were asked to drink from a glass without bending their elbow - switch the glass to the other hand.
Campfires, guided self analysis, teamwork exercises, a coffee house and theatricals were all part of the program. The test established dominant characteristics based on Dominance, Influencing, Steadiness and Compliance. They both found the results very accurate and said it could be used to help indicate the best circumstances for them to thrive. Jenny said they had enjoyed the program, found it relevant, and encouraged the Club to continue its involvement because it is very worthwhile.