Meeting Summary – November 25, 2025
Speaker: Carl Rathje Topic: From RYLA Student to RYLA Counselor – A Journey of Leadership Growth
Key Highlights
Began as a hesitant Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) student in high school.
Discovered a passion for service and leadership through team-based challenges and daily leadership themes.
Returned as a counselor and now serves as Head Team Leader for the upcoming conference.
His progression from participant to mentor illustrates RYLA’s lasting impact on confidence, communication, and leadership abilities.
About RYLA
Intensive leadership program for ages 14–30, sponsored by Rotary clubs and districts.
Typically runs 3–10 days; locally, it is a week-long, high-energy experience for high school students.
Focus areas include:
Leadership Training: Communication, problem-solving, ethical decision-making.
Team-Building Activities: Outdoor challenges, “team-timed activities” (TTAs), and problem-solving exercises like the “helium stick.”
Personal Growth: Networking with community leaders, career skill development, and lasting friendships.
Unique features include Words of Focus (WAFs): short, personal talks by team leaders that connect daily leadership themes (such as “Live”) to real-life experiences.
Mission: Develop leadership qualities, citizenship, and personal growth while promoting Rotary’s values of service and ethics.
Takeaway: Carl credited RYLA with transforming his own confidence and leadership abilities, while emphasizing the deep friendships formed during the program. His story demonstrates how RYLA fosters lifelong connections and leadership growth. He also encouraged Rotarians to get involved—whether as supportive partners with RYLA teams or by attending visitor days—highlighting the important role Rotarians play as mentors while youth leaders run the program.