How Rotary course helpedp Gemma

Rotarians recognise that the future of the world will be in the hands of our young people. We do everything possible to enhance their life experience and develop future leaders.

A fantastic opportunity, offered annually, is a life changing eight day (seven nights) personal training seminar. Our local Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a residential course held at the Grafham Water Centre. Rotarians interview and select suitable candidates aged 18-26 years. We seek out persons who show the potential and inclination to give leadership through voluntary and/or vocational activities.

Those lucky enough to be chosen embark on an established leadership and development course. During the course of the week they are challenged to move outside their comfort zone but in a safe environment. They gain team building skills. Challenges faced are both mental and physical. Typical activities include: water sports, practical initiative tests, lectures, development of interpersonal and presentation skills, camping, map reading and problem solving.

Many local Rotary clubs sponsored young people to attend the 2016 RYLA experien- ce. One such club was St Ives. They sent a candidate, Gemma Duma, on the course this year and by all accounts she would appear to have had a great time there. Gemma said the course helped her feel more confident when leading a group, and not doubt herself in front of other members. She developed belief in her decisions, even when not everyone was in agreement. Gemma was delighted when some people t thanked her for helping them w with difficult challenges and making them feel part of the group. As part of her university degree course Gemma regularly has to present her work t to different people. At RYLA s she has learned to be more confident when doing presentations. This will help her hugely on her course. Gemma is due to come to talk to club members this month when they will learn much more a about her time on RYLA.

A future opportunity not t to be missed: - if you know of a person who could benefit from this course in 2017 please c contact me directly or look u up your local Rotary club to enquire. Applicants must be able to commit themselves to the whole week. The course is designed on a basis of team competition with each day building on the knowledge and experience gained in the previous days.