RYLA 2011 APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

Applications for the 2011 RYLA Seminar are now open.

RYLA is a premier youth leadership development program designed to promote proactively, personal and professional development of Australian youth you have already been identified with exceptional leadership potential.

If you know a young person with leadership potential, aged between 19-28, living within District 9640... What are you waiting for? Refer them to the RYLA website (www.ryla9640.org) to find out how they can apply for the 2011 RYLA Seminar.

The 2011 RYLA Seminar is an intensive week long program held from Saturday 29 January to Friday 4 February 2011. For more information please visit our website.

Andrew Bradley
Team Leader - RYLA 2011

Rotary District 9640
P: 0403 882 928 | E: teamleader@ryla9640.org | W: www.ryla9640.org
RYLA 2011, PO Box 1683, Broadbeach QLD 4218

Beneath the Stars Songs of Hope and Joy

On the first Afternoon of RYLA 2006, Guest speaker Peter Hempenstall stole the hearts of the Awardees when he told the story of his 13-year-old son James.

When James was granted a wish from the Starlight Foundation he surprised organisers by giving his wish to others. Instead of wishing for a trip to Disney World or a Ferrari, James asked to put on a thank you party for everyone who had helped him through out his life; everyone who attended was to also receive a gift. Approximately 200 people attended that party.

Now James wants to say thank you to the Starlight Foundation by raising money for them through a concert he and Peter are planning. It is to be held in Brisbane next year (2007) on the River Stage on Saturday 22nd of September and is called "Beneath the Stars" James’ is hoping for many Australian artists to attend – always thinking big James’ first request was for Barbara Streisand to perform followed by David Hasselhoff. (It’s important to think big) They already have some great acts they are hoping to line up for this wonderful event.

During the week at RYLA the Awardees raised just under $1300 through fine sessions at meal times to donate to the "Beneath the Stars" Concert.
In October I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to meet James who I had heard so much about but had never met to present him and Peter with the donation.

James is such a remarkable young person with the attitude to always have a go. Many of us can learn a thing or two from him. When talking about a time he was asked to sing in front of a group James said, "I was very uncomfortable but I thought if it puts a smile on everyone’s face then why not have a go."



Information regarding the concert will be posted on www.beneaththestars.com.au at the beginning of December 2006 once the site is up and running.

Speech From the Then President Elect Jonathan Majiyagbe to the International RYLA Convention

Jonathan Majiyagbe
President-Elect
Rotary International
RYLA Convention May 2003
It is a great pleasure to be here with all of you –
I would like to first thank all of the Rotarians here who are contributing their time and talent to this most worthwhile event. You have already contributed so much, because a meeting like. this requires a great deal of advance planning. Now that you are here, among all of these exuberant young leaders bursting with energy, I daresay that this meeting will require even more from you – namely, stamina.
But I have every confidence that you will find all of the energy you need to keep pace with these young leaders – because it is always energizing to see the next generation embracing the ideals of leadership and service. I would like to offer my congratulations to all of the young RYLA participants here today. It is quite an honor to be selected to participate in this event – it means that you have already demonstrated outstanding leadership skills. It is our intention to help you develop those leadership skills even further –and it is our hope that you will be challenged, you will learn and you will have fun

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Here in Australia they have an aboriginal word that means “fun together” - the word is “gundoo.” Let me tell you how that word has a very special association with the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program. The year was 1959- more than forty years ago, and the place was right here in Queensland. The state government was planning for Queensland’s upcoming centenary and invited local Rotarians to help plan the festivities. When they learned that Queen Elizabeth II was sending her cousin Princess Alexandra, who was in her early twenties, Rotarians planned a series of activities specifically for the princess’ age group.
The resulting festival was referred to locally as a “gundoo” and it was a great success with the more than 300 attendees. Since Rotarians know a good thing when they see it, they decided to create an annual youth program, based on this event. By 1998, RYLA had become an established program and then-RI President James Lacy appointed an international RYLA committee, dedicated to its expansion and improvement. Rotarians with different RYLA experiences were invited to RI headquarters to exchange information and ideas.



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So, as you can see, Rotary International has made a very strong commitment to this program. That is because we believe that all leaders –regardless of age, regardless of prior experience – become more effective and dynamic through training. In fact, in fact, one of the most important events in the Rotary year is the International Assembly – a two-week long training meeting for incoming Rotary leaders.
As young leaders, I have no doubt that you have high aspirations –otherwise you would not be here. So I ask you – how will you reach those heights?
To help you think about what kind of leader you would like to be – I would like to share with you the words of a H. Gordon Selfridge, the British entrepreneur who founded the successful department store chain that bears his name. He said:
“The Boss drives his men, the Leader coaches them.
The Boss depends upon authority, the Leader on goodwill.
The Boss inspires fear, the Leader inspires enthusiasm.
The Boss says ‘I,’ the Leader says ‘we.”
The Boss fixes the blame for the breakdown, the Leader fixes the breakdown.
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Speech From Bhichai Rattakul - President RI 2002-3 - to the RYLA Convention Brisbane 29 May-1 June 2003

A copy of the speech as sent from Rotary International.

Bhichai Rattakul
President
Rotary International
RYLA Convention
29 May – 1 June 2003

My warmest greetings to all of you.
It is a special pleasure to welcome you to Brisbane for the 3rd Annual Rotary Youth Leadership Awards International Convention. I would like to congratulate each and every one of you for being selected to attend. Each of you has already demonstrated leadership ability – and this convention will help you develop that ability. This RYLA convention is your meeting. Each of you will contribute something to this experience and all of you will make this convention unique and wonderful.
The chance to participate in an international convention of any kind is thrilling because you have the opportunity to make new friends from all over the world. Coming from different countries, speaking different languages, and professing a diverse range of religious beliefs, we represent a microcosm of the world—with one important difference. At this convention, we represent a microcosm of a world at peace where tolerance, understanding, and love prevail.



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All people in the world have a common cause, and it is our misfortune that we sometimes fail to recognize how deeply we are all connected to each other. You are all here because you recognize that connection. You have made a commitment to learn how to strengthen that connection and acquire the tools to go forth and serve. And in so doing, you will bridge the gaps that so violently divide countries, races, cultures, religions, and ethnic groups. Your Rotarian leaders are looking forward to working with you during the next few days. They have made every effort to ensure that this event will be meaningful and useful. By now, you have no doubt been told many times that Rotary is making an investment in you because you are the next generation of leaders. Rotarians look to you to reassure ourselves that our ideals will continue into the future. I only have to see this room full of enthusiastic, smiling young faces to know that Rotary ideals are thriving in the younger generation. I think that it is useful for you to reflect upon how you fit into the big picture. RYLA is just one part of Rotary’s far-reaching commitment to young people. As most of you already know, Rotary clubs around the world sponsor a staggering array of service projects that benefit young people. There are projects to buy desks and books for schools, projects to feed and shelter children, projects to immunize children against diseases. There are also Rotary projects that provide educational and vocational support to young people 3 throughout the world. There is a common thread running through this great variety of projects- all of them fulfill the needs of young people. Where does RYLA fit into this picture? RYLA is also part of Rotary’s commitment to fulfill a need felt by every young person. It is not the need for food, water or shelter. It is not even the need for education. It is the need for purpose and meaning in life. The desire to make the world a better place has no minimum age.
To fulfill this particular need in young people, Rotary sponsors RYLA. We also sponsor Youth Exchange programs, where young people live with host families in other countries, and Interact Clubs, which are service clubs for High School Students. We also sponsor Rotaract Clubs, which are service clubs for people under the age of thirty years. All of these programs provide service opportunities for young people.
Why do we do this? We do this because we understand your need for purpose. We understand because Rotarians feel the same need. Our sponsorship of RYLA programs is one way we can fulfill that need. When we mentor you and help you develop leadership skills, we help ourselves. We also fulfill the dream expressed in one of our dearest slogans “Every Rotarian an Example To Youth.”



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Get to know your Rotarian sponsors during your convention. Ask them questions. Find out why they have made a commitment to service and what it has meant to them. They are here because they want to be an example to you. They are here because they believe that the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program strengthens our youth and strengthens Rotary. I don’t have to tell you that The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Program provides outstanding opportunities for young people. Take a moment and think about the friends you have made and the skills you have learned. RYLA’s core curriculum includes ethics, communication, conflict management, self-esteem building and problem solving. All of these will help you carry out your goals of community service on both local and global levels. It is certainly a function of RYLA training to provide you with these tools of leadership. But remember it is in your own heart that you will find the true meaning of leadership so that you can decide how you will put those tools to use. I have been so fortunate in my career and I have had many opportunities to act as a leader for Rotary and for my country, Thailand. I treasure these experiences. Because of these opportunities, I have also been in a unique position to observe and learn from other leaders. Now I am in a unique position to pass on to you what I have learned.
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