Rotary D6400 RYLA

RYLA Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
Schoolcraft Community College
November 13 -16, 2003
18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, Michigan

In Australia, Rotarians celebrate RYLA's worldwide success

More than 400 Rotarians and invited guests joined RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe at the University of Western Australia's Octagon Theatre in Perth on 16 January to mark the success of the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) program. Born some 44 years ago in Brisbane, Queensland, as a "gundoo" - an aboriginal word meaning "festival" or "fun together" - RYLA aptly returned to the land of its origin as the centerpiece of an RI presidential celebration.
In a speech full of praise for the resourcefulness of Australian Rotarians, President Majiyagbe addressed the need for leadership training for young people in a world of increasing complexity. "Every year, thousands of young people participate in RYLA events sponsored by Rotary clubs and districts - and everyone involved makes important contributions to this beneficial program," he said. "Through RYLA, Rotarians mentor young leaders - like the energetic young men and women we have met today. In turn, these young leaders bring a fresh burst of enthusiasm to a Rotary club by supporting club projects, providing new ideas for service, and strengthening or starting Interact and Rotaract clubs."
The RI president recounted how RYLA started as an act of Rotarian hospitality in 1959. When Brisbane Rotarians learned that Queen Elizabeth II was sending her young cousin Princess Alexandra to the centennial celebration of Queensland province, they planned a series of special youth activities to make her feel welcome and at ease.
"Australian Rotarians decided to create an annual youth program, based on this event," President Majiyagbe said. "From there, the idea began to spread to other countries and within a few years, RYLA events were being held throughout the Rotary world."
Keynote speaker Past District Governor Rev. Allan Male, who has been associated with RYLA for almost 40 years, spoke passionately about the lives that he had seen blessed by the program. Many employers now recognize that attendance at a RYLA program is a mark of an outstanding young person, he said. David Yardley, an ex-RYLArian explained how the program had turned his life around, rescuing him from the scourge of peer pressure that was pushing him into undesirable activities. He now works with young people through theatre groups and Drug Arm, a nonprofit agency that helps them develop healthy lifestyles without drug abuse. Rotarian Ron Mildenhall and his son, Sam, who each attended RYLA programs — in 1969 and in 2002 respectively, bantered onstage about the old and young generations and the relative merits of RYLA then and now.
The celebration also featured a well-attended workshop on the essentials of a successful RYLA experience and a buffet dinner and fellowship that the "family of Rotary," including the RI president, enjoyed in an informal and relaxed atmosphere under the stars in the lush university gardens.

Courtesy: Rotary Newsbsket 1/22/04

Rotary Clubs and districts sponsor seminars to encourage and recognize leadership abilities of youth and young adults ages 14 to 19.

72 students representing 23 clubs came together for three days in November to learn about leadership and to make new friends. The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Seminar was held November 13 - 16 at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Michigan. The purpose of RYLA is to develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship among young people in our communities. The enthusiasm and the techniques learned by the attendees are brought back to the community from which they are sponsored and further impacts other young people who are influenced by these youthful leaders. RYLA also introduces young people and their families to the Rotary ideal of service.

The seminar began on Thursday night with a pizza party. District Governor Roberto Sanchez welcomed the youth participants. Program chair PDG Harlan Whichello gave a presentation on Rotary and District 6400. Participants then spent the rest of the evening by participating in an elaborate team building exercise that was devised by PP Laura Whichello.

Friday and Saturday The sessions were facilitated by Troy Rotarian Michael Angelo Caruso, a leadership and communications motivational

professional. He engaged all the youth leaders in a variety of leadership skills. They included communication skills, speaker presentation tips, influencing people, leadership tips, team building, problem solving, interviewing success, having fun business culture and much more. There were many excercises for the youth leaders to practice those leadership skills.

The seminar was a wonderful experience for youth and staff !!! Michael did make a real positive influence to all who attended this seminar.

RYLA offers Rotarians a special opportunity to take part in developing qualities of leadership and good citizenship among young people in our communities. The enthusiasm and the techniques learned by the attendees are brought back to the community from which they are sponsored and further impact other young people who are influenced by these youthful leaders.

RYLA also introduces young people and their families to the Rotary ideal of service. It helps bridge the communication gap between the generations and helps improve relationships among youth groups, families and the community.

The objectives of the RYLA Program are:
1. To further demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for youth
2. To encourage and assist selected youth leaders and effective voluntary youth leadership by providing them with a quality training experience.

3. To encourage continued and stronger leadership of youth by youth;
4. To publicly recognize the high qualities of many young people who are rendering service to their communities as youth leaders.

1. "Avoid prologues."
Life is short. Get on with it. Help your readers to do the same. Getting on with the story is also a great way to avoid writer's block. Launch into the action and your proposal or e-mail will not stall in the "blank page" phase.

2. "Never open with weather."
For that matter, never open a memo with " . . . pursuant of our agreement." There'll be a good time to mention whether it's cloudy or sunny. There will never be a good time to be "pursuant of our agreement." While I'm thinking of it, use "daily" rather than "on a daily basis" and "experience" instead of "past experience." There, I feel better.

3. "Use the verb 'said' to indicate dialogue."
Mr. Leonard suggests to never use a verb other than "said" for dialogue. This sounds more like a style preference than a writing rule, but the man is on to something. He writes dialogue better than almost everybody. When writing dialogue, try to write the exact way people talk. Use contractions and incomplete sentences, if appropriate.

4. " . . . leave out the parts that readers skip."
Edit ruthlessly. Try to write using fewer sentences, with fewer words, using fewer syllables. Vary your rhythm. Use a short sentence. Then, add a more complex sentence that includes an imbedded phrase or a combination of ideas.

5. "If it sounds like writing, rewrite it."
Rewrites rule! Always rewrite important e-mails, faxes and letters. They will improve every time you revise them. Speeches benefit from rewrites, too. I give about 180 presentations a year and rewrites have definitely helped me Improve.
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