Rotary Club of New Westminster

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Rotary's training program for young leaders, emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth.

• Share an inspiring experience with tomorrow's future leaders?
• Mentor youth to further develop their talents and abilities?
• Help youth accomplish personal goals through teamwork?

Every year approximately 7,000 students ages 15 to 19 go abroad under the auspices of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, either for the academic year or for an extended period. The increased self-awareness and global perspective, which they derive from the experience, would not be possible without the commitment of the many volunteer host families and the dedication of those Rotarians who serve as youth exhange officer.

For more information about the program go to the District 5040 Rotary Youth Exchange Programme web page.

Interact is Rotary International's service club for young people ages 14-18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but Interact clubs are self-governing and self-supporting.

Club membership varies greatly. Clubs can be single-gender or mixed, as well as large and small. The membership base can be drawn from the student body of a single school or from two or more schools from the same community.

Each year, Interact clubs complete at least two community service projects, one of which furthers international understanding and goodwill. Through projects, Interactors develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs. And, in the process, Interactors develop leadership skills and learn the value of hard work.