Youth & Young Adults
 
Youth Service is where clubs work with young people to become the next generation of leaders, visionaries and peacemakers. This might range from children in primary school to young adults. Note that all projects involving direct contact with youth are also governed by established youth protection policies and procedures.  For contacts for any of these programmes please us the Contacts email from the Menu Bar.
 
The following programmes are common to all / most New Zealand-based districts and are run by / through the clubs:
 
 
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) provides senior secondary school students with an opportunity to participate in family, cultural and community life in another country over a twelve-month period while attending a secondary school in that country. Students are hosted during the stay, usually with Rotarian families but can be a mixture of Rotarian and non Rotarian families.  The host club(s) supports the family as needed and provides a counsellor to advise and support the student during their stay.
 
 
Interact is a club for young people ages 12-18 who want to join together to tackle the issues in their community that they care most about. Through Interact, students carry out hands-on service projects, make international connections, develop leadership skills and have fun!  Interact clubs are sponsored and supported by Rotary clubs. Most clubs are school based but they can be community based as well.
 
 
Rotaract is an opportunity for you to be part of a fun, dynamic and unique international organisation for people aged 18-30. Rotaract offers young adults a wide range of activities that will enable them to try something new, whilst having a great time and meeting others.  Individual Rotary clubs sponsor Rotaract clubs and offer guidance and support, making the Rotaract clubs true “partners in service” and key members of the family of Rotary.  Rotaract members seeking Rotary membership can choose to retain membership of both.
For further details see:  http://www.rotaract.co.nz/
 
 
Teenagers today benefit greatly from opportunities to develop life skills and motivation to help them cope with the challenges of a very competitive future. Students have pressure to perform academically: their results are the benchmark of success. However other skills are needed for the next stage of a student's growth, be that further education or the workplace.
 
RYPEN camp is a fun residential weekend for secondary school students aged 14 to 17 where the participants will have the opportunity to listen to inspirational guest speakers, and to participate in a range of outdoor activities designed to build their self-worth and use their belief in themselves constructively in a team environment.
 
 
Using the criteria for RYLA, RotaPacific selects young adults from the Pacific Islands for a vocational experience in Auckland followed by participation in RYLA.  During the vocational segment of their visit they are hosted by Rotarians and spend the week visiting businesses and institutions aligned with their vocation to learn something of how these work in New Zealand and have the opportunity for discussion with business leaders.  The they go on to RYLA ...
 
 
RYLA (Rotary Youth / Young-Person Leadership Awards) is a week-long leadership development programme hosted and sponsored by Rotary Clubs for the district. RYLA is an experiential live-in programme designed to help young people develop their team work and communication skills and fulfil their potential as leaders.  Ages vary according to district. 
 
 
Road Safety Education Ltd (RSE), a not for profit organisation, is committed to reducing the trauma on our roads by educating young people in their high / secondary school.  This is a Rotary supported programme started by Rotary in Australia and where run by Rotary this is done through the clubs.  This was formerly RYDA.
For further details see:  www.rse.org.nz
 
 
The camps are organised for young adults with impaired speech, hearing or sight, and those with muscular and neurological disorders.  Each ‘Camper’ is matched with a Rotary Youth Exchange Student to assist and support them as they have a go at a wide range of motivational and challenge exercises.
 
 
This simulates the working of the United Nations Assembly by having School teams of three Year 12 and 13 students, represent a particular UN Country in debates on matters of world politics and social concern.  This helps develop bridges of goodwill for the furtherance of World Peace and understanding.
 
MUNA aims to foster goodwill, World Peace and Understanding in the minds and hearts of our youth. The concept came out of the desire of young people to express their views on issues being debated in the United Nations General Assembly. It started in Canada and was adopted by New Zealand Rotary.  The UN recognizes and supports this Youth Project.  It is also an ongoing part of the World Youth Activity Program for Rotary International.   For the next event go to http://rotarydistrict9920.org/event/muna-(model-united-nations-assembly)/
 
 
Since 1989, Rotary has organised an annual 2-week long, live-in event for Yr 12 science & maths students in Auckland. Up to 180 high-achieving students are selected from throughout NZ, with each Rotary Club invited to nominate students from their aligned secondary school(s). Selected students gain a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit a range of universities and courses offered, as well as industries engaged in science, engineering, technology, and medicine.  Students thus can explore many areas of interest towards deciding on their course of study at university and their eventual career. Students also make enduring friendships with similarly minded Forum participants.The cost per student is often met by a combination of funding from the student's family, school, and Rotary Club.
 
 
Rotary Eureka Trust was formed by the Rotary Club of Wellington and its ‘Sir Paul Callaghan EUREKA! Awards’ aims to “identify and foster young leaders who through their knowledge of science, technology, engineering or mathematics, their entrepreneurial drive and persuasive communication skills will bring about the vision of New Zealand as foreseen by Sir Paul Callaghan”.  Twelve students from throughout New Zealand competed in the National Finals, after earlier progressing through regional competitions organised by Rotarians in six regions where they were assessed on a presentation  on an area of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM), that demonstrates environmental, economic, or social benefit to New Zealand
For further details see:  www.eureka.org.nz  
 
J R McKenzie Trust
 
Not a programme or project as such this is available to provide siupport for appropriate qualifying programmes, projects or scholarships.
 
The J R McKenzie Trust was established in 1940 by Rotarian Sir John McKenzie. As an independent philanthropic trust, it is able to support a very diverse range of organisations and initiatives.  The Trust looks for opportunities to build relationships with the organisation it supports.
 
Its strategy is to focus all that it does as a trust, including grant making, on working towards a more socially just and inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand.
 
The trust’s focus during this time is on two main areas - Disadvantaged Children and their Families and Māori Development
 
Applications with a focus on other especially marginalised groups may also be considered. The trust provides funding and other support to community organisations which share our goals, and which work in one or more of the following ways:
  • Capacity development
  • Māori Development
  • Social Change
The founder ensured that Rotary would play an important part in the administration of the trust.  The board includes a trustee from each of the Rotary districts, who chairs each regional panel.  These panels provide crucial local input in grant making decisions.
 
For further details see: www.jrmckenzie.org.nz
 
JR McKenzie Youth Education Fund
 

Note: this is separate from, and different to, the JR McKenzie Trust

Established in 1938 by Rotarian the late Sir John McKenzie, this fund makes grants to families and individuals. The fund’s main purpose is: “To assist in the betterment, education, advancement and physical welfare of youth in the community, particularly cases where bereavement, sickness or family disturbances leave the children in need of assistance, if they are to continue their studies”.

Types of grants made:

  • Primary, Intermediate and Secondary Schools  uniforms,  clothing, shoes.
  • Special grants for glasses and to help students with special needs.
  • Books generally associated with 1 above.
  • Special tuition fees.

This fund is managed entirely by Rotarians.

For further details see: www.youtheducationfund.org.nz

Cure Kids

Cure Kids was founded by Rotary in 1975 and remains a Rotary supported programme with strong Rotary involvement.  Cure Kids fund research into cures for life-threatening and serious children's illnesses. Many Rotary clubs support Cure Kids through donations and by supporting their Red Nose Day campaign and other fund-raising events.  An example of the fund raising events is the entry each year of a Rotary team into the $10 Queenstown Challenge - donations to the Rotary team are the same as a donation direct to Cure Kids with all the same recognition etc but with the added interest of supporting and watching a Rotary team compete in this challenge from Auckland to Queenstown.

For further details see:  www.curekids.org.nz

Walsh Memorial Flying School

This is a programme supported by some clubs - it is not a Rotary programme.  

Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School has provided the highest quality aviation training in the country for budding young pilots aged 16-19. 
In 2016, 73 students attended the popular two-week long training camp at Matamata. The Walsh has many past students with successful careers in aviation. Students must be New Zealand citizens and only have minimal previous flight experience (up to 2 hours).

 

Video presentation on District 9920 Youth Programmes

This video is a section from the club training provided by Zoom in September 2020 about the main youth programmes of the District.  This starts with the Trainer asking those on the Zoom to speak up about their own experiences as appropriate.