As a member of Rotary, you will have the opportunity to witness and become involved with Rotary’s commitment to developing the next generation of leaders. Your Rotary District (5610) provides programs to help younger leaders prepare for leadership roles and learn the value of service.
Listed below are four programs that are important to us as Rotarians and initiatives you will no doubt learn more about through activities in your Rotary club:
RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards): RYLA - an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where young people develop communication, problem-solving and leadership skills while having fun and forming lasting friendships. Our district has partnered with Rotary District 5630 to send high school sophomores and juniors to RYLA camp at Camp Maranatha in Maxwell, Nebraska, held each July for 4-5 days. The district and local Rotary clubs share the expenses so there is no cost to the camper. The response from campers has been very positive and many come back to further their leadership experience by becoming junior and senior counselors as the next steps with RYLA leadership. Does your club sponsor a high school student to attend RYLA camp?
RYE (Rotary Youth Exchange): RYE – an exchange program for students ages 15 – 19 who are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries. RYE helps students become global citizens and experience a new culture. Exchanges normally last a full academic year. “Inbound” students are from other countries, are sponsored by a local Rotary Club and attend a local school and live with host families. District 5610 also sponsors, through local Rotary Clubs, our local students to become “Outbound” students to another country. District 5610 currently has one Inbound student from Brazil sponsored by the Vermillion SD Rotary Club. Our district also has one Outbound student headed to Italy, in August 2024, sponsored by the Madison SD Rotary Club. We need help right now finding two clubs in the 5610 district to each sponsor one new inbound student.
Rotaract: Rotaract clubs bring together people ages 18 and older to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service. Rotaract members decide how to organize and run their clubs, manage their own funds, and plan and carry out activities and service projects. Rotary club sponsors offer guidance and support and work with your club as partners in service.
District 5610 has several Rotaract clubs; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Sturgis, Augustana, and Brookings. The University of South Dakota charter is currently in the works. While college campuses are an excellent location for a Rotaract club, a Rotaract club can be located in the community. Is there an opportunity in your area to develop a Rotaract Club? Rotarians can also have dual membership as a Rotarian and Rotaract member.
Interact: Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the value of Service above Self. Interact clubs sponsor at least two service projects a year – one to promote their school or community and one to promote international understanding. The Mitchell Rotary Club is a sponsor to an Interact club in conjunction with the Alternative High School in Mitchell Public Schools. The Madison Rotary Cub also sponsors an Interact Club at Madison High School.
To learn more about Rotary and its youth connection, visit RI to learn more about its youth programs. We hope you will choose to help the youth of today and the leaders of tomorrow.