RYLA

RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) began in Australia in the 1950s and now runs in most districts throughout the Rotary world.  The programme aimed at 14 to 30 year olds is designed to:

• Develop leadership skills

• Increase self-confidence

• Gain exposuree to a variety of issues and meet lots of new people

• Improve career skills andknowledge

The Rotary Club of Sheffield organise and run a 4-day RYLA course on behalf of the Rotary district.  During the course the participantstake part in a number of team challenges and problem solving activities.  Each participantis given the opportunity to lead a team at least once, enabling them to develop and show their leadership skills.  Following each activity, candidates are asked to evaluate their team leaders and a feedback and de-brief session is carried out.

The course is aimed at 14 to 17 year olds and is held each February at the club's centre in Castleton, Derbyshire.  Participants are also encouraged to keep in touch with their sponsoring Rotary clubs and to approach them for help and support with their own projects in the future.

It is always terrific to see changes in many of the participants who arrive as quiet individuals and 4 days later leave with more self-confidence and a new bunch of friends.  Feedback from participants includes:

'The whole week has been absolutely amazing.  The activities/challenges were extremely fun and I have made lots of new friends as a result.'

'I enjoyed being with other people from all over.  Everyone gave respect to each other and the leaders and the leaders gave respect to us too.'

'I learnt alot of things about leadership that I didn't know before.  I loved this course and hope other people get to experience what I did.  Thank you so much.'