YOUTH
Ryde Rotary is proud to run the annual Primary Schools Public Speaking Competition for schools in our local area. The heats are undertaken within each school, with finalist representatives presenting a prepared speech and an impromptu speech at the combined semi-finals in Term 2, with the top 3-4 students from across the district then presenting in the finals.
We also participate in Rotary Youth Exchange, hosting a young person from somewhere else in the world to experience Australian culture, school and home life for a year. If you are in year 9, 10, or 11 and would like to spend a year overseas please email ryderotary@gmail.com. If you would like to home host an international student to experience Australian family life for 2-3 months, please reach out!
Ryde Rotary is always excited to support equity and encouragement programs for our local youth, such as supporting the Aerobics Teams of Ermington Public School to attend the National Championships in 2023, sponsoring students from Marsden High School and Ryde Secondary School to the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) each Summer and Winter, and sponsoring young people aged 18-24 to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp each January. If you would like to be involved in any of these or have ideas for programs we can support, we are just an email away.
EVERY ROTARIAN AN EXAMPLE TO YOUTH
In 1949, the Rotary International Board adopted the slogan “Every Rotarian an Example to Youth” as an expression of commitment to children and youth in each community in which Rotary Clubs exist. Serving young people has long been an important part of the Rotary program.
Youth service projects take many forms around the world. Rotarians sponsor Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, athletic teams, centres for disabled children, school safety patrols, summer camps, orphanages, recreation areas, safe driving clinics, county fairs, child-care centres and children’s hospitals. Many Clubs provide vocational counselling, establish youth employment programs and promote the use of The Four-Way Test.
In every instance, Rotarians have an opportunity to be role models and mentors for the young people of their community. One learns to serve by observing others. As our youth grow to become adult leaders, it is hoped each will achieve that same desire and spirit to serve future generations.
The month of September is designated as ‘Youth Service Month’ to focus on all Rotary activities that support the development of young people up to the age of 30. Rotary Clubs are encouraged to use the slogan “Every Rotarian an Example to Youth” in Club bulletins and publicity material during ‘Youth Service Month’.
The Magic of Rotary is the impact our volunteered skills, hours, and community can bring to make change in the world. President of Rotary International Stephanie Urchick defined this theme for 2024-25 working on a project to install water filters in a remote community - when they tested the system and local children saw clear water available to them for the first time, they asked her to "make the magic happen again".
Rotary International, the world's first service club organisation, is made up of over 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Its members form a global network of business and professional leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve their communities and the world.
Rotary's motto, Service Above Self, exemplifies the humanitarian spirit of the organisation's members.
