Ashtead Rotary Youth Awards

Each year Ashtead Rotary Club strives to recognise the contribution that young people make to the local community through their self-sacrifice, hard work, dedication to helping others and potential to become leaders of the future. This recognition comes in the form of three different types of Rotary award, which are described below in more detail:

• Rotary Youth Leadership Award
• Service Above Self Award
• Worthy Enterprise Award

Ashtead Rotary Club is always keen to receive nominations for these awards and to develop stronger links with local youth and community organisations where young people often demonstrate their capabilities. If you are involved with any such organisation and would like to know more about any of the awards or have a candidate in mind, please get in touch using the form below.

Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA)

This award comprises an intensive, week-long, leadership programme for young people, stretching them both physically and intellectually. It is organised by the wider Rotary District 1145, held at a local outwood bound centre during the school Easter holidays and is open to boys and girls within the age range 15 to 18 years of age. Candidates should show leadership potential and enjoy participating in a team, social activities and learning the essential skills needed to survive as a leader.

Candidates benefit from the leadership course by:

• Developing personal self-confidence whilst leading others.
• Increasing individual self-esteem by stepping outside their comfort zone and realising what can be achieved by pushing that bit further.
• Improving their leadership skills.
• Gaining exposure to a variety of issues.
• Meeting a wide range of young people with similar interests.
• Improving career skills and knowledge.

Candidates are sponsored to attend the course by Ashtead Rotary Club and the number of candidates sponsored each year varies depending on nominations. After the RYLA course has been completed, the particpants are invited to an informal Rotary meeting to receive their certificate and to explain a little about their experience.

Service Above Self Award

This award recognises the young person who does something more than just meet the basic demands of the organisation: be that a school, a youth or community organisation or simply in a family environment. The young person selflessly takes on additional responsibilities, which can be exemplified by the person who looks after a fellow student who has special needs. Other examples could be assisting parents with a sibling or other family member who has difficulties or staying back after normal hours to organise something that will be of benefit to others. The awarded person is not usually the the person who is lauded with academic prizes but who should be recognised for their wider, equally important, contribution.

The award is given out once annually and can be given to more than one candidate depending on nominations. It comprises a certifcate and monetary prize (in the form of vouchers). The award winners are invited to an informal Rotary meeting to receive their prizes and to explain a little about their involvement in the local community.

Worthy Enterprise Award

This is awarded to a person who, in a school or other youth organisation, faithfully meets all that is required of them, offers full cooperation to staff, follows all the rules, has a great attendance record and generally is a good egg. This person makes it possible for others in the organisation to flourish without seeking the limelight themselves. They typically may not be the winner of the academic prizes but are the mainstay of the organisation. It is often the case that 20% of the young people involved in a school or organisation get the majority of the attention of staff and this award is aimed at addressing that balance and recognising that no organisation can function without this steady player underpinning its aims. The Worthy Enterprise Award winner will often contribute a little extra to the smooth running of the organisation with supportive actions and extramural activities.

The award is given out twice annually and can be given to more than one candidate on each occasion depending on nominations. It comprises a certifcate and monetary prize (in the form of vouchers). The award winners are invited to an informal Rotary meeting to receive their prizes and to explain a little about their involvement in the local community.