Youth Services
Avenues of Service
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YOUTH SERVICES
INTERACT--Rotary International's service club for young people ages 14-18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but Interact clubs are self-governing and self-supporting. Club membership varies greatly. Clubs can be single-gender or mixed, as well as large and small. The membership base can be drawn from the student body of a single school or from two or more schools from the same community. Each year, Interact clubs complete at least two community service projects, one of which furthers international understanding and goodwill. Through projects, Interactors develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs. And, in the process, Interactors develop leadership skills and learn the value of hard work. An expected 30 students from Red Bank Regional High School will participate. Activities this year include The Canathon, The Salvation Army Bell Ringing and participation by the Rotary Club in the Earth Day celebration.
RYLA--District 7500 RYLA is an intense and fun-filled four-day leadership training program run by Rotarians and older youth who have demonstrated superior leadership and training skills within RYLA and in their communities. We teach a variety of leadership skills such as team-building, problem-solving, cooperation and communication skills. Our program is designed to help train ethical, visionary leaders; and its loads of fun. District 7500 consists of 40 Rotary Clubs located within Burlington, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties of New Jersey
ROTORACT--Rotaract is a club for adults ages 18-30 that meets twice a month to exchange ideas, plan activities and projects, and socialize. While Rotary clubs serve as sponsors, Rotaract clubs decide how to organize and run their club and what projects and activities to carry out.
YOUTH EXCHANGE--Youth Exchange began during the 1920s as an effort between a handful of clubs in Europe. These European exchanges continued until World War II and resumed in 1946. The reciprocal long-term academic exchange grew in popularity during the 1950s and became the primary type of Rotary Youth Exchange. In 1972, the RI Board of Directors agreed to recommend Youth Exchange to clubs worldwide as a worthwhile international activity. Today, more than 8,000 Youth Exchange students travel abroad each year to live and study in about 80 countries. Rotary Youth Exchange offers three types of exchange programs:
• Long-term exchange. These exchanges usually last one year, during which the student lives with more than one family in the host country and is required to attend school there. Long-term exchanges may be extended to include part or all of the holiday/vacation periods immediately before and after the academic year.
• Short-term exchange. These exchanges vary from several days to several weeks; they often take place when school is not in session and usually do not include an academic program. Short-term exchanges generally involve a homestay experience with a family in the host country, but they can also be organized as international youth camps or tours that bring together students from many countries.
• New Generations exchange. These specialized short-term exchanges last three to six weeks and are open to young people ages 18-25. This program may include a vocational element.Flexibility in the Youth Exchange program allows it to be adapted to fit the needs of any student who qualifies. Short-term and New Generations exchanges especially vary widely from district to district. For this reason, most of the information in this handbook applies specifically to the long-term exchange program. Individual district and multidistrict programs may develop their own program rules and guidelines, provided they are consistent with those set by the RI Board. This handbook should be read in conjunction with the materials developed locally for use in the district. Check with those responsible for your district’s Youth Exchange program for specific local modifications, as well as the division of responsibilities for Rotarians involved in the program.
CAREER DAY--An expected 50 students will participate will participate with local Rotarians who will bring them to their place of business for a few hours. The students are then treated to lunch at the Molly Pitcher and brought back to school.
SCHOLARSHIPS--Scholarships will be awarded to students from Red Bank Regional High School, Rumson Fair Haven High School and Red Bank Catholic High School.
AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS--Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships provide funding for one academic year of study in another country. This award is intended to help cover round-trip transportation, tuition, fees, room and board expenses, and some educational supplies up to US$25,000 or its equivalent. Academic-Year Scholarships are the most common type of scholarship offered; nearly 1,000 were awarded for study in 2001-02. Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships are for either two or three years of degree-oriented study in another country. A flat grant of US$12,500 or its equivalent is provided per year to be applied toward the costs of a degree program. Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships are offered mainly by Rotary districts in Japan and Korea; over 100 were awarded for study in 2001-02. Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships are for either three or six months of intensive language study and cultural immersion in another country and provide funds to cover round-trip transportation, language training expenses, and home stay living arrangements up to US$12,000 and US$19,000, respectively. Applications are considered for candidates interested in studying Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, and Swedish. Some Rotary districts may only offer one type of scholarship (or none at all); applicants must check with the local club regarding availability.
If you are interested in helping us with any of these functions, please email Red.Bank.Rotary@gmail.com