A Report on Sei Revidon's RYLA Presentation at Chinnor Village Centre, 18 October 2025

Introduction

On Saturday, 18 October 2025, Chinnor Rotary Club convened an extraordinary meeting at Chinnor Village Centre. The highlight of the evening was a compelling presentation by Sei Revidon, recipient of the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA), who shared his experiences and insights from the programme. The event brought together club members, Sei’s parents and community guests, all eager to learn about the impact of RYLA and celebrate Sei’s achievements.

About the RYLA Programme

The Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) is a renowned leadership development initiative, designed to inspire and empower young people. The programme offers participants aged 18–25 a unique opportunity to develop essential leadership skills through experiential learning, workshops, and outdoor activities. This year’s RYLA event took place in Snowdonia, North Wales, running from 1–7 August 2025, and gathered young leaders from across the Thames Valley district to collaborate, learn, and grow.

Programme Highlights

• Leadership Development: Participants undertook practical exercises in leading teams, making decisions under pressure, and understanding different leadership styles.
• Team Building: Through challenging group tasks and trust-building activities, Sei and his peers forged strong bonds and learned the value of working together towards common goals.
• Communication: Workshops focused on effective communication, active listening, and public speaking, culminating in participants presenting their ideas to the group.
• Problem Solving: The programme included real-world scenarios requiring creative solutions and adaptability, teaching resilience in the face of obstacles.
• Confidence Building: Outdoor adventures, such as hiking and orienteering, encouraged participants to step out of their comfort zones and build self-assurance.

Sei Revidon's Reflections

Sei spoke warmly of his time at RYLA. He recounted how the leadership challenges tested his resolve, while the group discussions encouraged him to see the world through new perspectives. Sei highlighted the friendships forged with fellow participants, many of whom he expects to remain lifelong connections. Above all, Sei expressed heartfelt gratitude to Chinnor Rotary and its supporters for making his RYLA journey possible, crediting the experience with sharpening his leadership skills and fuelling his passion for service.

Impact on Club and Community

Sei’s presentation resonated strongly with club members, his parents and guests, reinforcing the importance of youth development programmes like RYLA. His story exemplified the positive outcomes that arise when young people are given opportunities to lead, collaborate, and give back. The event fostered a renewed sense of pride within the club and broader community, highlighting the value of investing in future leaders and the far-reaching impact of Rotary’s work with youth.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The extraordinary club meeting concluded with a lively discussion about continuing and expanding support for youth leadership initiatives. Members were inspired by Sei’s achievements and voiced their commitment to promoting opportunities for young people in the area. Chinnor Rotary looks forward to sponsoring more candidates for RYLA and related programmes, confident in the knowledge that nurturing young leaders will benefit the entire community.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks are extended to Chinnor Beer Festival Committee, Haddenham Beer Festival Trust, The Clare Foundation, MJ Sports Warehouse as well as Chinnor Rotary members who helped make Sei’s RYLA participation possible. The club also recognises the efforts of RYLA organisers and facilitators, whose dedication ensures the programme’s ongoing success.

Further Information

To learn more about Chinnor Rotary’s projects, including youth opportunities and community service, please visit our website at www.chinnorrotary.org.uk as well as our social media www.facebook.com/chinnor.rotary . If you are interested in joining Chinnor Rotary or supporting future initiatives, you are warmly invited to attend one of our meetings or events.