RYLA Aims

RYLA aims to:

• Demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for youth
• Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders
• Encourage leadership of youth by youth
• Recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities

Development of future leaders is more important than ever: As part of Rotary’s emphasis on helping children this year, Rotarians will want to grab an opportunity to help shape the lives of future generations by taking an active role in the development of their leaders. RYLA offers that opportunity.

The age range for the RYLA program is 14 - 30. However, most organizers choose to focus either on the 14 - 18 or the 19 - 30 age groups as their needs are so different. Furthermore, most organizers narrow the range to a couple of years e.g. juniors and seniors in high school in the USA - the range really depends on the program that the organizers are planning.

Since it became an official Rotary program in 1971, RYLA has assisted thousands of young people to develop leadership skills at camps, seminars, and workshops. Warwick Bateman, a Rotary International 1998-99 RYLA committee member who has participated in 17 RYLA courses in District 9680 in Australia, considers the program more relevant than ever.

“Pressure on youth is increasing,” Bateman said. “Standards and values are being challenged from every corner. More than ever, young people need strong, effective leadership.”

The RI RYLA committee has planned a number of regional meetings for this year that will give District RYLA chairpersons and other interested Rotarians the chance to meet and share ideas. Districts that don’t currently have active RYLA programs are also encouraged to send representatives to learn about the rewards of organizing a RYLA event.

A recent survey of the results of District 9680’s RYLA effort found that, within three months of finishing the workshop, 84 participants had assumed various leadership positions that gave them the opportunity to influence more than 9,000 young people. And, according to Bateman, the effect is lasting. The program helps Rotary forge bonds with young people, and the benefits are passed on to more young people.

“To see just how many of today’s Rotary club officeholders have passed through RYLA, to see so many who have made a name for themselves, gives a real sense of meaning to the project,” he said. “But perhaps the greatest satisfaction is to see how many of these past RYLArians are still involved in leading and nurturing our youth of today.”