Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

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• Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

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RYLA

• Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is one of
  Rotary Internationals nine structured programs
  designed to help clubs and districts achieve
  their service goals in their own communities and
  in communities abroad, fostering fellowship and
  goodwill in the process.

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What is RYLA?

• RYLA is an intensive training program for youth
  ages 14-30.
• Programs are typically in the form of a seminar,
  camp, or workshop, 3-10 days in length, organized
  by Rotarians at the club or district level.

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RYLA Goals

• Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
• Demonstrate Rotarys respect and concern for
  youth.
• Provide an effective training experience for
  selected youth and potential leaders.
• Encourage leadership of youth by youth.
• Publicly recognize young people who are providing
  service to their communities.

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RYLAs Core Curriculum

• Each RYLA should be tailored to meet the needs of
  its audience, but core curriculum includes
• Fundamentals of leadership
• Ethics of positive leadership
• Importance of communication skills
• Problem-solving and conflict management
• Rotarys purpose and service to the community
• Building self-confidence and self-esteem
• Elements of community and global citizenship

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Benefits of RYLA

• Develops youth leadership skills and self
  confidence while exposing them to community
  leaders and mentors
• Inspires new ideas for service, increases support
  of projects, and helps develop future potential
  members

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RYLA History

• The first RYLA was held in July 1961 in Brisbane,
  Australia.
• It became a structured RI program in 1971.
• Each year, over 60 of Rotary clubs nominate a
  RYLA participant or help organize a RYLA event.

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RYLA Guidelines

• Highly flexible
• Age range is 14-30
• Varying event lengths
• Organized and run by Rotarians
• Sponsored by several districts jointly, by one
  district, or by a Rotary club

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Sample RYLA Themes

• Leadership in a global society
• Leadership at your school/in your community
• Ethics in Business
• Ethics and the Environment

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How to Organize a RYLA

• Form a RYLA committee.
• Identify the target age group.
• Identify the location and speakers.
• Promote the event to the community, schools,
  Interact, or Rotaract clubs.
• Submit RYLA Report Form to RI after the event.

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Role of District

• The district RYLA chair is appointed by the
  district governor and selects the RYLA committee,
  which
• Selects program dates
• Selects site
• Develops a budget
• Determines program agenda
• Promotes to clubs

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Role of Clubs

• Rotarians at the club-level can
• Select awardees
• Provide sponsorship
• Develop expectations of youth upon return from
  program
• Encourage their participation in other RI Programs

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Resources

• The following resources are available on the RI
  Web site
• RYLA section
• RYLA Brochure
• RYLA Handbook
• RYLA staff e-mail
• Rotary E-Learning Center