07
Feb.
2025
At Waypoint 4180 and the Marriott
4180 and 4173 Westford Place
Canfield, OH 44406
United States of America

ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS

CONFERENCE 2025 – GENERAL INFORMATION

Leaders in Training

Friday, February 7– Sunday, February 9, 2025

At Waypoint 4180 and the Marriott

4180 and 4173 Westford Place, Canfield, Ohio 44406

 

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Conference 2025, District 6650’s 30th conference, is based on a program initiated by Rotary International. The program identifies young people who have demonstrated leadership skills or show the potential to be leaders and gives them an opportunity to explore and develop those skills with others with similar capabilities.

During the conference, participants will

  • explore their own style and strengths;
  • learn skills that will enable them to be aware of and able to address community needs;
  • interact with adult role models who are active in their professions and community;
  • develop and learn leadership skills;
  • develop an appreciation for community service.

Cost: 47 Rotary Clubs throughout District 6650 sponsor high school juniors to attend the conference. Clubs pay all conference expenses. There is no additional cost to students.

Program: Students arrive at the hotel Friday morning for registration. (They do not attend school on Friday.) Students are assigned roommates who are not from their school or hometown, and they are purposely regrouped throughout the weekend to meet all participants.

For two and a half days there are group learning activities, discussions, speakers, interaction with peers and social activities. Participants’ days are filled from breakfast to lights out. Elements of the program build on each other and students must be willing and able to commit to the entire weekend in order to provide the best experience for all. The conference ends Sunday by 1:00.

Conference topics include:

Communication: learning to share views in a constructive way, leading to better understanding;

Behavioral styles: understanding one’s own behavioral style, the value of different behavioral styles and the effects of different behaviors on a group;

Rotary: learning about and understanding the Four Way Test, the concept of “Service Above Self” and the purpose and activities of Rotary International;

Society: looking at the role values play in our modern society and understanding the Pillars of Character (respect, responsibility, caring, citizenship, trustworthiness, fairness)

RYLA is a chance for students to meet other outstanding students from eastern Ohio and to spend two and a half days learning about themselves, learning from others and having fun. An outstanding group of facilitators is planning another successful RYLA event and is looking forward to our annual conference.

Conference Coordinators: Gina Dermotta 330-550-9318 6650RYLA@gmail.com