Senior Rotary Youth Leadership Award - (RYLA)

Senior RYLA focuses on Young People aged between 18 & 26 and offers;

Exposure to Leadership Scenarios 

Exploring problem-solving Strategies as part of a Team

Discussing and applying  Creative approaches to Leadership & Conflict Management

Building Confidence in themselves and what they can Achieve

Meeting new people and making Lasting Friendships

Learning how to arrange Youth Activities and Community Service Projects - both Locally and Internationally

So in their own Words and Pictures -  How did they get on?

Lets start with the Schedule: Each day was extremely packed in a way that left no room for being behind and almost no time to yourself. The days went from around 8 to around 11 each day!

Presentation skills:

Throughout the week there were lots of activities which developed presentation skills.In addition, practical skills were implemented in the Wine Bar Project, where we had to do a Dragon’s Den style business pitch to a team of Rotarians. Short prep time forced you to improvise and helped grow in confidence. These skills were built up in the group feedback presentation.

Rational thinking under pressure:

RYLA continuously forced us outside our Comfort Zones. On the First day we were dropped in the wilderness at night, with a group of strangers, and forced to navigate back in the dark.Initiative tasks required a variety of Skills and Problems to be managed under pressure, with 15 minute time slots for each one, which Included a Live Wire Blind Obstacle Course & High Ropes.

Time Management:

Business Exercises under pressure and deadlines, helped force a sense of urgency, making timekeeping a priority. We started the week with our group missing an activity due to poor time keeping which made everyone lock in and develop a schedule.

This paid off in the Expedition, where despite the tightest return journey, our Team made it due to Economical Management.

Importance of Building Community Values:The Week was very tiring and everyone started the week as strangers.Our team was adamant that we wouldn't fight, so we came up with Team Building Strategies, to make sure everyone felt seen/heard/valued. 

At the start of week everyone said what they hoped to work, on and we set Micro Objectives as a team to ensure those things:

1. Mascot

2. Apology System

3. Leadership Rotation

Ben’s highlights 

1: Expedition; walking and making friends and spending time with each other 

2: Mountain bikes; seeing badgers 

Alexander’s highlights

1: I just felt really inspired by my group; they were really impressive people 

2: Raft collapsing and everyone just going all in and finishing it by swimming. 

What I (Ben) took away personally:

I personally found my entire group to be extremely nice & also learning to be open with them about what things I was struggling with, when I felt I had a good idea. 

I also found that taking charge on the Team Time Management, made everyone in my group happier.

Finally, I drastically improved in my Presentation and Improvisation Skills, as over the week we gave so many Presentations on such little Prep Time, I was forced to confront Public Speaking and as a result, I can now talk in front of Crowds even without a solid Script.

Thank you to everyone at St. Ives Rotary Club for enabling us to go on this excellent Leadership Course.