Rotary Youth Leadership Award Program – 1996
Providing and teaching leadership is a natural focus for Rotarians. Every Rotary community around the world looks to Rotarians to provide leadership. When Past District Governors Lloyd Osmond and John Williamson approached the Windsor Rotary Club regarding the initiation of a RYLA program for District 7820 club members responded with typical enthusiasm. Thus was born the 1996 Rotary Youth Leadership Camp at Windsor Rotary's Camp Mockingee (Mockingigh).
RYLA, a program for youth, was offically adopted by Rotary International in 1971. Conducted at the District level, the program offers Rotarians a special opportunity to take part in developing leadership qualities and good citizenship.
The objectives of RYLA are to:
1. Further demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for youth;
2. Encourage and assist selected youth leaders and potential leaders in methods of responsible and effective voluntary youth leadership by providing them with training experiences;
3. Encourage continued and stronger leadership of youth, by youth;
4. Publicly recognize the high qualities of many young people who are rendering service to their communities as youth leaders.
The 1996 RYLA program, entitled "Leadership in the 21st Century", was designed by the District RYLA Committee (under Chairman Jim White of Windsor) to be a pilot project for Nova Scotia; with the expectation that it would be broadened to the whole district if successful.
The first program with 15 students from across the province (Middleton, Halifax, Dartmouth, Pictou, Sydney and Windsor), took place at Camp Mockingigh from Friday afternoon, September 27, through Sunday afternoon, September 29. Cost, paid by a sponsoring Rotary Club, was $150. In later years students who were sponsored by the New Minas, Kentville, Westville, Bridgewater, Wolfville, Dartmouth and New Glasgow clubs attended.
During the annual two day Leadership Seminars participants have discussed leadership theory and direction with emphasis on leadership from educational, business and governmental perspective. Speakers from those spheres worked with the youth to discuss leadership styles and vision and the role of leadership in the 21st century. Team building, dramatic experiences, a unit on "Who Really is Civilized in Our World?" leadership styles, the characteristics of groups and group dynamics all formed a part of the weekend activities. Throughout the years, leaders have emphasized the point that our young people can make a difference in the world, in Canada, in Nova Scotia and in their local communities.
Each year participating students have been required to make a video presentation on leadership. Feedback from the students and leaders involved indicaed a very favourable response to the weekend experience.
Many local Rotarians have participated in the 7 Camp Mockingee RYLA camps which have been co-chaired by Jim White and Andy Kirk. Among those have been: Colin and diane Purdy, Clair fradette, Penny Taylor, Jack Smith, Dr. Kevin Walsh, Earle Hood, Steve Gallant, Gerry Raymond, Debbi Bowes, Steve Groves, Lloyd Norman, Bob Brooks, Ted Vale, Daryl Sullivan, John Bregante, Ed macDonald, Bill Mulhall, Pat Gould-Thorpe, Dr. Alex Jurgens, guest Rotarians Wayne Humbly, Peter Smith, Winnie Horton, Neville Gilfoy, and former Rotarians such as Philip Van Zoost, Dr. Reid macDuff, Bob Delong, Ron Goyer and Darren Saab.
Guest presenters have included M.P. the honourable Scott Brison, UN consultant Diana Dalton, Drs. Les and Sharon Oliver (Acadia), mermaid Youtheatre Director Chris Heide, Jim MacKay (NSTU Executive Director), Bryan Lynch (EastLink), Rev. Doug Woodhams, Principal Janet Kirk (Kingstec), Dr. Sandy Fraser (Acadia), Principal Karen Greenman (Hants West Rural High), Dr. Jack Wendt (Acadia).
Rotary Exchange Students, both Inbounders, Outbounders and Rebounders, have played a prominent role as both participants and leaders.