What the heck is a RYLA?
A RYLA is a nimble and highly effective omnivore. They come in a variety of colors and have been seen with both long and short hair. Due to their youthfulness, some may speak differently and electronic communication is preferred. Rotarians are encouraged to listen and learn these behaviors before approaching. Seriously?!
The Rotary Youth Leadership Award RYLA is a life-changing three- day leadership program available to the New Generation members in our community going into Grades 10 through 12. RYLA can strengthen the leadership of our Interact Club or recognize the potential of current or emerging youth leaders. RYLA is an excellent way to gain a positive profile for youth leaders and our club.
Purpose of RYLA
RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is part of Rotary’s ongoing commitment to supporting youth. Awards are based not only on academic standing but on demonstrated contribution and leadership benefiting the community, school, or other organizations. RYLA winners attend an annually organized conference where they spend close to four days in intensive interaction with other award winners, session leaders, speakers from businesses, the professions, the arts, or simply with remarkable individuals who have had unique experiences which provide insight into the broadest meaning of what it is to be a leader.
The RYLA Conference has been declared time after time, by those who attend; an unforgettable experience which encourages students to build upon their leadership qualities in order to make a meaningful contribution to their communities and their country.
Who Can Attend?
Young people ages 15 to 18 who are full time students in Grade 10, 11 or 12, and who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills are eligible for the award. Your club chooses the award winners and pays the $500 registration fee.
How are they Selected?
Each Rotary Club will set in place a means to select the most deserving recipient in their locality. This may mean an essay submission, public speaking invitation, or formal nomination and application process posted in local schools. You may choose an interview process carried out by a committee of Rotarians looking for present achievements and a potential for leadership abilities in the future. Generally students are selected on their overall leadership aptitudes, not just their academic results. Some clubs work closely with the counselors at school. Often educators are eager to recommend worthy candidates.
The Interview Committee should be aware that RYLA stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Thus, they should see themselves as selecting someone who will both benefit from, and contribute to, a Youth Leadership Conference which is one part of the Award. It is also suggested that there be some questions which are asked in the same way to each and every candidate. This provides a fair basis for comparison and ranking. Some clubs ask applicants, or at least a short list of applicants, to address the local Rotary Club. Whether or not this is done, all RYLA Conference participants should be required to address the Rotary Club upon their return to describe how they benefited from and contributed to the Conference. Some Clubs ask participants to write an essay topic on some community concern or some aspect of leadership, as part of their application form. A specific topic has been found to produce better results than a vague topic such as; why do you want to go to RYLA?
RYLA, Rotary Youth Leadership Award 2013, May 2-5, Camp Nakamum - High School students aged 16-18 are eligible. We would like to send 3-5 students this year. Students must be selected by April 15th. The RYLA program encourages students to build upon their leadership qualities in order to make a meaningful contribution to their communities and their country. Selection criteria are based not only on academic standing but on demonstrated contribution and leadership benefitting the community, school, or other organizations. For more information, go to:
http://www.clubrunner.ca/portal/Events/EventDetails.aspx?accountid=50012&eid=14532&tid=2
http://www.clubrunner.ca/Portal/SitePages/SitePage.aspx?accountid=50012&pid=1948&sid=2844
