September is New Generations Month
New Generations: The Future of Rotary, our Communities, the World
The month of September in the Rotary calendar is New Generations Month. It reminds us to continue our commitment to youth. It is important to recognize the positive contributions youth and young adults can make to society and Rotarians have provided that support and encouragement for much of our organization’s existence. If Rotary is to grow and survive, we must continue to expose young people to the magic of Rotary. Beside individual club youth projects, Rotary International has established significant New Generations programs: (CLICK ABOVE to view)
Rotaract
Rotaract brings together people ages 18-30 in universities and communities worldwide to organize service activities, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun. Rotary clubs sponsor them, but Rotaract members manage and fund their clubs independently. Rotaract members work closely with their local Rotary club, and may join after their Rotaract membership ends.
Interact
Interact is a club for youth ages 12-18 who want to connect with others in their community or school. Interact club members have fun while carrying out service projects and learning about the world. Interact clubs organize at least two service projects a year: one that benefits their community and one that encourages international understanding. While Interact clubs receive guidance from individual Rotary clubs, they govern and support themselves.
RYLA
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a leadership development program run by Rotary. While participants can be any age, most events focus on secondary school students, university students, or young professionals. RYLA events are typically 3–10 days long and include presentations, activities, and workshops that cover a variety of topics, including: Leadership fundamentals and ethics, Communication skills, Problem solving and conflict management, Community and global citizenship.
Youth Exchange
Youth Exchange gives a young person the opportunity of a lifetime. Exposure to new cultures and customs is a powerful way to promote global understanding and peace. And it’s not just students who benefit – Rotary clubs and host families will too. Exchanges can be short term or long term. Short-term exchanges last from a few days to several months and often take place when school is not in session. Students typically stay with a local family in the host country, but they might also attend a youth camp or tour the country with students from around the world. During a long-term exchange, students spend a year in another country living with different host families and attending classes at the local school.