Rotex, is it the same as Rotaract or Interact? Where do "Rotexers" fit into my Rotary club? I'm glad you asked. Rotexers are young people who have completed a Rotary youth exchange and wish to continue service with their local youth exchange program and clubs. These youth, usually between 17 and 30, are not necessarily Rotary members. But they live, work and study within our communities and have a thirst for service and leadership. 
The conference got off to a bit of a rocky, or should I say snowy, start due to a blizzard that swept through the Denver area on the first day, shutting down the airport, businesses, roads and highways. Because of the unexpected delay, the conference officially kicked off the following day, with some attendees stranded in airports and awaiting rescheduled flights or others having to delay their arrival by a few days. With a revised schedule in hand, I attended various workshops and learned about new things to bring back to our RYE program. One session — about Rotex — especially sparked my interest.Rotex North America Launches
Rotex North America officially launched its formation this year at NAYEN. Cameron Smith shared the group's mission, vision and placement under the umbrella of Rotary and Rotex International (RI). Rotex North America is a nonprofit organization established to provide a foundation and support network for "graduates" of the Rotary Youth Exchange program. It enables them to reach their full potential within the Rotary footprint and beyond, cultivating leaders throughout the process. The organization develops strategies and systems to support Rotexers in RYE, RI, service projects, networking, leadership and professional aspirations. RI held its first convention in 2012, and in 2020, it will celebrate its fifth convention in Curitiba, Brazil.
What Does This Mean for Us?
Rotex is important. Think of Rotexers in District 5400 as an enhancement to our clubs and our youth exchange program. We make an incredible investment in the young people we send on exchange. The first and second years of their experience, we help them prepare for and then experience their exchange. Upon their return (the third year of their experience), we help them reintegrate to American life and ask in turn for their help with our program. They are invaluable resources at our inbound orientation camp in August and with our outbound orientation in McCall in January.
But does their involvement with Rotary need to end there? Absolutely not! A Rotex chapter could become a stand-alone support and service entity to our district's clubs and for future outbound students returning home. It could provide opportunities for leadership and growth, including membership within existing Rotaract and Rotary clubs. Right now, only three districts in the United States have active Rotex chapters. Perhaps District 5400 could make it four! Those of us involved in the RYE program are pondering the possibilities. And if you know of former exchange students who may be interested, send them our way.