New Generations

 

 

This program is administered by the District Committee. Our club’s committee is headed by Ronnie Wright, and the inbound and outbound students for 2013-2014 are scheduled for arrival/departure during August. This program offers students between the ages of 15 and 18 the opportunity to experience life in another country for one year. The students live with families in the respective country, attend school and learn the country’s culture and customs. The value of such a program is apparent because the returning students share what they have learned with their families, friends and fellow students. Those experiences may influence the student’s future occupation and provide them opportunities to become world citizens. Our club is very fortunate to have an outstanding Youth Exchange student from France this year, Paul Villain.

 

The RYLA Program is also administered by the District Committee. The three Las Cruces Rotary Clubs join together for this program that recognizes high school juniors who demonstrate leadership and team building potential. The RYLA Committee begins work in March of each year. Presentations are made by committee members to Las Cruces School District designees. Upon their acceptance and support of the RYLA Program, committee members then make presentations to counselors in local high schools. Their support is critical to the success of this phase of the program. Counselors recommend students to make application to the RYLA camps and typically several students are selected to attend.

 

The RYLA Program provides two camps at the Manzano Retreat during July each year for students entering their senior year of high school. The first session is dedicated to young women; the second to young men. A separate curriculum is developed for each camp. The overall purpose of the camps is to provide activities and experiences that promote the development of leadership and team building skills for the attending students.

 

Interact Clubs are developed in the local schools, and focus on young people ages 12 to 18. The clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide guidance and support. The clubs are self-governing and self-supporting. Membership varies and can be comprised of a single genders or mixed genders. The size also varies from school to school. Each year Interact clubs complete at least two community projects; one of which expands understanding and goodwill at an international level, and another focusing on the local community. Benefits include furthering international understanding and goodwill, as well as developing relationships with local community leaders.  There are currently 10,700 clubs in 109 countries and geographical areas. Interact has become a worldwide phenomenon with almost 200,000 young people involved in the program. Locally there is interest in possibly organizing an Interact Club at Las Cruces High and Arrowhead in the future.

 

Rotaract is a Rotary sponsored service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30. Rotaract clubs are either community or university based, and are sponsored by a local Rotary club. This approach makes the clubs true “partners in service” and key members of the Rotary family. 

 

During the school year, the Rio Grande Rotary Club invites students in the Junior Year of High School to attend meetings for a month. The concept behind the program is to introduce these students to Rotary and to help them see the influence of “Service Above Self”, which is the cornerstone of Rotary. Through their participation, they have the opportunity to meet professionals in careers to which they may aspire, to learn about the community service activities of Rotary, and to enhance their ability to network - plus we get to meet terrifically talented and smart young people!

 

Currently, Rio Grande Rotarians Matt Olson, Steve Chavira, Ross Burkhardt, Ronnie Wright, Stacie Allen, Richard Coltharp and Diane Indorf support the New Generations program by serving as liaisons to the area high schools, coordinating participation of our Student Rotarians each month, and coordinating school recommendations for applicants to the RYLA camp program.

 

 

 

 

 

This annual essay contest is typically sponsored by all three Rotary clubs of Las Cruces and also at the District level. Rotarians around the world conduct this contest each year to encourage students to learn the 4-Way Test, Rotary’s powerful guide to ethical behavior, and to write an essay to express ways they can apply the 4-Way Test to their own lives, communities, and society in general. Open to all 8^th grade students, the essay of 300-500 words, is written on an assigned topic, in a timed, controlled environment, and judged by Rotarians on content, grammar and original thought, with 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winners chosen.

 

This year the Las Cruces 4-Way Test Essay Contest will take place on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library’s Roadrunner Room (upstairs). Registration starts at 5:30, with the writing contest beginning promptly at 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm. All Rotarians from the three clubs are invited to assist with registration, proctoring, and are really encouraged to help judge the entries. Check the 4-Way Test Essay Contest Flyer for all the details or contact Diane Indorf to volunteer.

 

Please enthusiastically take part in these activities supporting our youth in the New Generations Avenue of Service; you will be rewarded many times over for your efforts.

 

Written by Ronnie Wright, Service Projects Director

and Diane Indorf, New Generations Director