Rotary aims to develop future leaders through educational programs emphasizing leadership skills and the value of service. Youth Service has been a dynamic area of interest for District 7090 for over 50 years!Our Youth Service Director is PDG Anne Bermingham.
D7090 programs include:
EarlyAct: a school-wide service club for elementary students from ages 5 to 13, sponsored by a local Rotary club. The mission and operation of EarlyAct are closely linked to the ideals of Rotary and provide the foundation and natural succession into Interact.
Rotaract: a club for young adults ages 18-30; Rotaract Rep: Victoria Parlatore (Kingsley Awuah, ’25-26)
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA): leadership training for young adults (19-25 years); Chair: Sherry Kerr
Rotary Youth Exchange: a study-abroad opportunity for young people (a few weeks to a full year as an international student); Chair: Justin Bester
New Generations Service Exchange: for university students/professionals under 30, offering short-term opportunities to learn more about their career/vocation in another country; Chairs: Kelly Kiebala, Claire Harkness
Interact clubs: Bringing together young people aged 14-18 to develop leadership skills, while discovering the power of Service Above Self. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting. Club membership varies greatly. Clubs can be single gender or mixed, large, or small. They can draw from the student body of a single school or from two or more schools in the same community. Interact Chairs: Dave Berry (CA); Brandon Blatz (US)
Rotaract: Rotaract is a club for young adults ages 18-30. While Rotary clubs serve as sponsors, Rotaract clubs decide how to organize and run their club and what projects and activities to carry out. They provide a chance to share ideas and see the world’s challenges in a new way. They provide hands-on service projects, networking and social activities, professional development opportunities, and access to an international network of young leaders.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA): Leadership training for young adults (19-25 years) led by professional facilitators experienced in youth leadership development and supported by RYLA graduates and Rotarians. It offers seminars and camps enabling participants to learn new skills, build their confidence, and have fun. A Rotary Club is responsible for recruiting, selecting, and registering its candidate(s). The sponsoring club pays the fee, which covers instruction, accommodation, meals, entertainment, and organizational expenses. In addition to some virtual sessions, it includes one in-person weekend retreat consisting of lectures, simulation games, discussion groups, committee work, public speaking, and social activities. District 7090 has sponsored RYLA since 1973! RYLA Chair: Sherry Kerr
Junior RYLA: Designed for participants aged 15-18. Program facilitators work with youth from across the district to connect with like-minded individuals and develop their leadership skills. Participants can expect engaging sessions with skilled facilitators where they will develop heightened self-awareness, problem-solving skills, and a leadership mindset to create meaningful change in their schools and communities. Rotary Clubs pay the registration on behalf of the candidates they select (up to three candidates per club.) Jr. RYLA: Sarah Bradshaw (Chair); Ellen Roth (Registrar)
Rotary Youth Exchange: Youth Exchange is a study-abroad opportunity for young people who spend anywhere from a few weeks to a full year as an international student hosted by local Rotary clubs. It promotes peace by sponsoring 15-19-year-olds to learn new languages and cultures, fostering global citizenship. Local Rotary clubs generously host students and provide room and board with a host family and a small monthly stipend. Exchanges for students are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries. Youth Exchange Chair: Justin Bester
New Generations Service Exchange: Designed for university students and professionals under 30, offering short-term customizable opportunities for participants to learn more about their career/vocation in another country. New Generations Service Exchange Chairs: Kelly Kiebala and Claire Harkness (If you would like further information, please contact co-chair leads Claire Harkness or Kelly Kiebala at ngse@d7090.org.)