Update from Michael Zang - RYLA Application for 2017

Posted by Chantelle Meriam on Feb 27, 2017
 
Dear Summerland Rotary Members,
 
Please find here the application form for the upcoming RYLA event to be held in Penticton from May 25 to 28, 2017. For more information on the event go to www.Rotary5060.org and look under the tap YOUTH. I had a couple of interested young people but they are not able to participate. Please check among your family and friends, or anyone else you feel would be appropriate for our club to sponsor for this excellent opportunity.
 
Please have the prospective applicant fill out the form and send it back to me as soon as possible.
 
Best regards,
 
Michael Zang
 

RYLA 2017!

A life-changing event that will take place in the heart of the Okanagan, BC, from May 25th-28th, 2017 at the Sandman Hotel Penticton.  The Sandman is close to both city businesses and popular outdoor hot-spots like beaches, wineries, and offers comfortable guest rooms, a pool and whirlpool, and fully equipped meeting and banquet facilities
 
 

What Is It?

Rotary Clubs around the world are dedicated to helping young people develop their leadership skills to the fullest.  The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a truly exciting opportunity for young adults, between 19 & 24, to participate in a four day, leadership program with like-minded individuals where you will form lasting friendships, hear from professional speakers, develop as a leader, grow as a person and have fun - at no cost to you!
 
Strong Leaders are made, not born.
 
Leadership skills are learned; not inherited.
 
 
Each spring local Rotary Clubs from across North Central Washington and the Southern Interior of BC present selected young adults the “award” of a leadership development seminar. The RYLA seminar will assist young people to realize their leadership potential and adapt their experiences to life in their communities.
 
For four days from Thursday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, a group of approximately 25 young adults (19-24) will gather in Penticton, BC.
 
The weekend is a remarkable opportunity to meet and learn with outstanding young representatives from both the US and Canada. Penticton is located on Okanagan Lake in a beautiful setting.
 

Next Steps

If you are interested in attending, and are between the ages of 19 and 24, you can be sponsored and paid for by Rotary. If you know a member of your local Rotary Club give them a call, express your interest in attending RYLA and complete the application form. Once you have filled out the application form, please submit to Michael Zang at mzang@shaw.ca.
 

RYLA and Alcohol

The RYLA Team does not allow the consumption of alcohol in any part of the program.  Attendees, presenters and mentors shall respect this prohibition or will be asked to leave.  The City of Penticton though does have many licensed establishments that sell alcohol.
 
In British Columbia, the legal drinking age is 19 years old. At this age people are considered adults and therefore acquire adult responsibilities and freedoms. The District 5060 RYLA committee supports this approach by leaving the decision for attendees to consume alcohol outside the program hours as they see fit.
 
The adult decision to consume alcohol offsite comes with the adult responsibilities to not overindulge or become a public nuisance.  The RYLA Committee neither supports nor denies the attendance of RYLA participants at any licensed establishment outside the program hours.  Indeed, the decision to attend and control one’s activities in a licensed establishment is a very adult activity.
 
Over the past years that people can remember, no participant has brought the RYLA name into disrepute for having attended a licensed establishment and the Committee wishes to maintain this record.  RYLA attendees are expected to show up on time and ready to fully engage in the training program which precludes overindulgence.
 
The RYLA Committee accepts that some Rotary Clubs do not agree with this view as the legal drinking age in their jurisdiction is 21 years old. In those cases, it is suggested that those Clubs only send participants who are 21 years of age as the Committee cannot legally (or practically) prevent attendees from attending the licensed establishments in the off-hours.