Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotarians working with youth in leadership development. RYLA is an intensive training program for community youth leaders. Young people attending school (high school juniors) in District 5580, chosen for their leadership potential, attend an all-expense-paid weekend camp organized and run by Rotarians with records of achievement. You can click here to go to District 5580's RYLA home page.  Our clubs sponsers two students each year.

In 1997-98, more than 25,000 young people benefited from RYLA events worldwide. More than 14,000 Rotarians and 8,000 non-Rotarians participated in organizing district RYLA events worldwide.

RYLA programs around the world vary according to the age and interests of participants and length of event. In 1996, the RI Board of Directors recommended a core curriculum for every RYLA that includes the following:

• Fundamentals of leadership

• Ethics of positive leadership

• Importance of communications skills in effective leadership

• Problem-solving and conflict-management

• What Rotary is and what it does for the local community

• Building self-confidence and self-esteem

• Elements of community and global citizenship while reflecting issues of local relevance in a manner appropriate to local customs.

The impact of the program spreads further as the program awardees influence other young people. Moreover, RYLA programs often lead to the formation or strengthening of Interact and Rotaract clubs with their leadership development and service activities.

The program is an exciting opportunity not only for the attendees, but also for the Rotarians, who are given the chance to help develop their own leadership skills and create new friendships with each other and the participants.

Organizing and implementing a RYLA program is a complex undertaking, requiring the time and effort of many Rotarians at the club and/or district level. Its worth is realized by those Rotarians who, through RYLA, have seized the opportunity to work with one of the world's most valuable resources - tomorrow's leaders.

How does Rotary address today's most critical issues?

The main objective of a Rotary club is service -- in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotary International (RI) has developed a broad range of programs designed to help clubs carry out this vital mission.

Some of these programs have been underway for many years, while others have been developed more recently to meet emerging needs.

Rotary's community development programs address many of today's most critical issues - hunger, the environment, and literacy, to name a few. RI also offers programs that focus primarily on young people, including service clubs for high school students and young adults, leadership training workshops, and student exchanges.

The international component of RI programs enables clubs and districts to assist Rotary efforts abroad and to share information and arrange exchanges with Rotarians in other countries. Vocational concerns figure in many club and district projects designed to promote high ethical standards in the workplace and to help young people and others become and remain productive members of society.

RYLA focuses on leadership and professional development

RYLA is a Rotary-sponsored leadership-training program for young people between the ages of 14 and 30. Each year more than 25,000 young people are sponsored in RYLA programs by Rotary clubs in more than 25 countries. Participants attend an all-expense-paid, three-day workshop focusing on leadership and professional development topics of interest to their specific age group. The seminars include recreational and cultural activities as well.

District 5580 encourages young leaders and provides them with improved techniques of leadership. After participating in this weekend, young leaders use their enthusiasm and learned techniques to impact others in the community.

RYLA introduces young adults to the Rotary ideals of service. RYLA helps bridge the communication gap between the generations and helps improve relationships among youth groups, families and the community.

The purpose of RYLA is to give young adults an opportunity to listen and exchange ideas on leadership, free enterprise, and Americanism with outstanding community and student leaders.