Presidential Message July 2024

Jan 09, 2024 RI president-elect announces 2024-25 presidential theme

Rotary International President-elect Stephanie Urchick announced that the 2024-25 presidential theme is The Magic of Rotary and called on members to recognize and amplify the organization’s power to save lives.

“Don’t misunderstand me – we are not going to end polio or bring peace to the world by waving a wand and saying some funny words,” Urchick told incoming district governors at the Rotary International Assembly on 8 January. “It’s up to you. You create the magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member.”

Watch the theme address

Urchick, a member of the Rotary Club of McMurray, Pennsylvania, USA, said she saw the magic of Rotary on display when she was helping install water filters in the Dominican Republic. Two boys were watching as dirty water entered the filter, then ran out clean at the other end.

“One of the boys grabbed my sleeve and said, ‘Show me the magic again,’” she said. “Obviously, the water filter wasn’t magic. We worked hard to transport those filters, install them, and work with community leaders in the area to maintain them. But those boys knew that easy access to clean water would change their lives. Knowing that I played a small part in that certainly changed my life.”

Prioritizing peace

Urchick urged members to champion Rotary’s Action Plan, find a balance between continuity and change, and work for peace. She plans to host a presidential peace conference in 2025 with the theme “Healing in a Divided World.”

Rotary has a long history of promoting peace through its network of peace centers, Urchick noted. Located at top universities around the globe, the centers have trained nearly 1,800 peace fellows who are now working in more than 140 countries. The newest center, located at Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul, Turkey, will welcome its first class of fellows in early 2025.

“The Rotary Peace Fellowship began more than 20 years ago to equip peace and development professionals from communities around the world to become effective catalysts for ending and preventing conflict,” Urchick said. “This conference will focus on Rotary’s peace efforts and provide opportunities to learn together.”

In addition to emphasizing peacebuilding, Urchick reiterated Rotary’s commitment to eradicating polio. She urged the incoming governors to join or initiate PolioPlus Societies in their districts and do all they can to help end the disease.

“Contact elected officials and other government leaders. Remind them that polio is still a threat. Push them to support polio eradication,” she said. “Polio remains our top priority and requires our fullest commitment, but there is so much important work to do.”

Balancing continuity and change

Urchick also underscored the necessity of balancing continuity and change, both of which animate Rotary’s Action Plan.

“The plan is all about building on our best ideas, not abandoning them,” she said. “We face a tough balancing act. We must change ourselves and stay true to who we are.”

She asked the governors to do whatever is needed to make the club experience irresistible to members.

“That might mean changing how things are done in your district,” she said. “If your district has been doing things one way for 50 years, it’s probably time to reassess. If a club in your district isn’t active or is losing members, maybe it’s time to start a new club that fits better with the community. Just because a club or district hasn’t changed in a while doesn’t mean no one is hungry for change.”

One way to make positive change, she said, is to embrace the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion within clubs.

“I hope you’ll join me in opening your arms to future people of action, even if – and in some cases, especially if – they don’t look or act like the typical member of your local club,” she said. “With DEI, it is easier to be united in a common purpose. It’s in those moments when we are committed and focused that we are the most effective and relevant.”

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“RYLA shaped me in ways that are hard to describe, across all aspects of my personal and professional life. But most of all, I left with araging desire to become a better leader and even move active and involved in my community”

What is RYLA?

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership program for young people ages 14-30.Organized by clubs, districts, or multi districts, RYLA allows participants to learn new skills through civic engagement and personal and professional development opportunities.

Through RYLA events, clubs, districts, and multi districts equip young leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to make real change locally and globally. In turn, clubs and districts benefit from the fresh perspectives of RYLA participants and alumni.

Objectives

A RYLA program should aim to:

  • Develop young people’s leadership skills and recognize those who are making a positive difference in their communities

  • Instill a lifelong commitment to service in young people and connect them with ongoing opportunities to serve through Rotary

  • Fulfill Rotary’s commitment to youth service by empowering young people through leadership development

Participants

Although RYLA is open to young people ages 14-30, we are focusing our event by inviting participants of a similar age and maturity level (16-20) and the number of participants will be between 30 – 50 participants. By targeting a particular age group, we can design a program that meets participants’ needs.

Length and timing

We plan to host RYLA event 22 – 23 February 2025 in Baturraden.

Why support RYLA?

There are many good reasons to get involved in RYLA. Here are just a few:

  • Prepare youth for a strong future: As a Rotary or Rotaract club member, you know that our world needs as many young leaders as possible to address local and global challenges. Through the support and guidance of people like you, young people can develop the skills they need to find their voices and take action.

  • Build connections: RYLA provides the perfect opportunity for young leaders in the family of Rotary to connect and collaborate.

  • Expand your reach: RYLA is often a young person’s first encounter with Rotary. Make sure RYLA participants understand the opportunities available to them through Rotary. Encourage them to join an Interact, Rotaract, or Rotary club depending on their age and goals. Explain how they can start their own club if they can’t find one that meets their needs or interests.

Learning format

RYLA events typically feature a combination of keynote speakers, workshops, and team-building activities. We design an interactive program that is both informative and engaging, and balance physical activities, presentations, and group work to hold participants’ attention. Putting participants in a number of situations allows various types of leaders to use their unique abilities.

Here some format that will use in the RYLA event:

  • Ice breakers and socializing

  • Speakers

  • Capacity building / outdoor activities

  • Group discussions

  • Workshops or hand on project

Venue

Baturraden, Purwokerto

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) 2025 – PEACE

RYLA 2025 hadir dengan tema PEACE, sebuah pendekatan menyeluruh untuk membangun potensi pemuda sebagai agen perubahan. Lima prinsip berikut akan membimbing peserta selama dua hari penuh dengan kegiatan yang mendalam:

1.Personal Development: Melalui bimbingan dari Positive Peace Activator, peserta akan memahami pentingnya kedamaian dalam diri sebagai landasan pertumbuhan pribadi yang berkelanjutan.

2.Empowering Potential: Dengan inspirasi dari praktisi Zero Waste, kita akan belajar memberdayakan diri menjadi agen perubahan melalui gaya hidup yang lebih berkelanjutan.

3.Action for Result: Para pembicara akan memotivasi kita untuk tidak hanya berbicara, tetapi juga bertindak demi perubahan nyata—baik dalam menciptakan perdamaian maupun lingkungan hidup yang lebih baik.

4.Confidence in Yourself: Kisah-kisah mereka akan membangkitkan kepercayaan diri dalam mewujudkan nilai-nilai hidup yang kita yakini.

5.Excellent Leadership: Wawasan dan pengalaman mereka akan menjadi panduan bagi peserta dalam menciptakan kepemimpinan yang positif dan bermakna bagi masyarakat.

Bagi klub yang telah melengkapi goal setting dan berpartisipasi dalam RYLA, kami mengapresiasi kesediaan Anda. Jika klub bersedia memberikan donasi, kami siap membantu menemukan calon peserta yang kredibel di daerah Banyumas dan sekitarnya, sehingga biaya dapat lebih mumpuni dan program RYLA kita menjadi semakin sukses.

Daftarkan peserta dari klub Anda sebelum 30 November 2024 untuk kesempatan mendapatkan souvenir menarik!

RYLA 2025 adalah tempat bagi mereka yang siap menjadi pemimpin masa depan dan mewujudkan PEACE di dunia kita.

Ayo Bergabung di RYLA 2025!

Jadilah bagian dari Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) 2025 bertema PEACE, yang dirancang untuk mengembangkan potensi pemuda sebagai agen perubahan. Temukan inspirasi, bangun kepercayaan diri, dan kembangkan kepemimpinan Anda selama dua hari penuh dengan kegiatan mendalam dan bermanfaat!

Daftarkan diri Anda sekarang dan jadilah pemimpin masa depan yang mewujudkan PEACE!

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2025 Rotary International Convention 21-25 June 2025, Calgary, Canada.