What is RYLA?
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive training program for youth ages 14-30. Talented young people attend a seminar, camp, or workshop, generally three to ten days in length, organized by Rotarians at the local club or district level. Participants' expenses are often paid by sponsoring Rotary clubs.
The RYLA program enables young people to debate issues of professional responsibility and human relations, improve leadership and communication skills, learn about business and institutions, and meet Rotarians while having fun and making friends. For young adults, RYLA provides the opportunity to refine skills and explore pertinent topics with their peers and elders. For Rotarians, RYLA offers the chance to help develop leaders, share valuable expertise, and bridge the gap between generations.
Awardees
The number of
participants depends on the site capacity,
number of staff, and level of Rotary club
support. Clubs set their own criteria for
participants, but all awardees should meet
certain basic qualifications:
-Leadership experience or potential as shown by
active participation in youth groups and /or
service;
-Cooperativeness and willingness to participate
in a group;
-Awareness of current events;
-Ability to express oneself and communicate
before a group
-Good performance in school and/or work;
-Intention to share newfound skills and with
others.
Program Agenda
RYLA programs vary
according to the age and interests of
participants and length of program. The RI Board
of Directors recommended a core curriculum for
every RYLA:
-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.
The core curriculum should reflect issues of
local relevance in a manner appropriate to local
customs.
Model RYLA programs
A Weekend seminar for secondary-school students
Time
1730
2000
2200
Day 1
Welcome
Registration
Evening Meal
Introduction to the program,
staff, rules by RYLA administrator
Get-acquainted exercise
Fundamentals of leadership
Plenary: "Be all that you can be"-speech
by recognized leader
Meeting in groups with facilitators
Socializing/free time
0700
0800
1000
1030
1230
1330
1500
1800
Breakfast
Ethics of positive leadership
Plenary: "The power of your influence": speech by president of drug-abuse prevention agency to other motivator
Group discussions: how to encounter negative peer pressures
Break
Community and global leadership
Plenary: Panel of experts on key youth concerns (for example, family, education, sex, drugs)
Groups: prioritizing of issues and responses to them
Lunch
Problem-solving and conflict management
Plenary: short video about ethical dilemma faced be a student
Groups: role plays about ways to handle dilemma, or explanation of peer mediation in schools by an educator
Groups: role plays in which students use the method to resolve a conflict
Break
Plenary: Discussion of role plays Physical challenge involving problem-solving: explanation and activity
What Rotary is and what it does in the community
Dinner with Rotarians and members of Rotary programs
"Getting to know Rotary": address by district or club Community Service committee chairperson
"What Rotary offers young adults": address by Rotaractor and/or Interactor Socializing
0700
0800
1000
1030
1200
Day 3
Breakfast
Importance of communication skills in
effective leadership
Plenary: "Talk like a leader" : address by
public relations specialist
Pairs within groups: speak about self for five
minutes, while other listens and then critiques;
reverse roles; comment on exercise
Break
Building confidence and self-esteem
Evaluation of program
Evaluation of program
Circulating photos of participants and writing
affirmations to accompany each group photo
Closing ceremony
Meal
Presentation of awards/testimonials
Thank-you's and farewells