Loyalist College was pleased to welcome the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) training program for Rotary District 7070 to the campus in May. Conducted on a district level, RYLA offers students the opportunity to develop leadership and good citizenship qualities within their communities. District 7070 extends from Belleville to Toronto and includes 55 Rotary International clubs. Each club may sponsor qualified individuals between the ages of 19 to 22 to attend the one-week leadership training program.
“As the RYLA Chair for District 7070 I was responsible for coordinating the annual training week at Loyalist College,” said Michael Cooksey. “These young adults participated in an exciting week of leadership training. Loyalist College is an excellent location and provided the program with ideal facilities for learning and networking.”
Dr. Geoff Cudmore is the Acting Vice-President Academic of Loyalist College and a member of the Rotary Club of Quinte Sunrise. Since 2003 he has served as the liaison between Loyalist and the RYLA organizers. “Through RYLA, participants gain a deeper insight into the Rotary ideals of service, opening communications between the generations and helping to improve relationships among youth groups, families and communities. The experience encourages and assists these young people in developing responsible and effective voluntary youth leadership skills.”
The District 7070 RYLA program provided an opportunity for the participants to get to know themselves better and to cultivate respect and trust of others. They learned to identify their own leadership strengths and determine ways to make more effective use of their resources.
Participant Josh Summers is a second-year student in the Loyalist College Animation program and an executive member of the Loyalist College Rotaract Club. “This was the first time that I attended RYLA. I gained so much from my week’s experience. I strengthened my public speaking skills and, by improving my understanding of different personality types, discovered methods of positive interaction with those who are different from me. I gained some great new friendships. Both RYLA and Rotaract have helped me see that it is important to step out of my comfort zone and into my growth zone. Our communities benefit and so do we.”
Media Contact: Marilyn Warren, Communications, Loyalist College (613) 969-1913, ext. 2332, e-mail: mwarren@loyalistc.on.ca or Geoffrey Cudmore, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2604