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OVERVIEW
The Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA)
is a program for young persons that was officially adopted by Rotary
International in 1971. Conducted at the District level, RYLA
offers local clubs a special opportunity to take part in
developing the leadership qualities and good citizenship among our young
adults. In February, District 7890's club presidents receive an
informational package including applications for students who wish to
attend a one-day leadership training event, held at Springfield College
in Springfield, MA. Rotary clubs contact the local high schools to
select sophomores who have displayed leadership potential. Applications
are to be filled out and returned to the local Rotary club for review,
properly signed, and sent to the RYLA Registrar with payment. Each club
will sponsor one or more students, and upon receipt of their
applications, the RYLA Registrar will mail the students a confirmation
and other pertinent information. The local Rotary club's sponsored
sophomores will arrive at Springfield College on June 7, 2008. After
registration and a briefing of the day's events, the large group of
students is divided into smaller groups and they begin the program.
Their leadership qualities are noted by their instructors and the RYLA
Committee throughout the day. A motivational speaker, a Rotary
roundtable, and seminar focusing on the advantages of group efforts in
accomplishing tasks are also part of the leadership training day camp.
Our District can be proud of its RYLA Program because it achieves all
these objectives: 1. To demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for
youth. 2. To encourage and assist young adults in methods of effective
leadership by providing them with a training experience 3. To publicly
recognize the high qualities of many young adults who are serving their
communities as youth leaders.
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