About

Each year, thousands of young people ages 14-30 take part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program worldwide. Participants, who are chosen for their potential as leaders, attend an all-expenses-paid seminar, camp, or workshop to discuss leadership skills and learn them through practice. Rotary clubs and districts select attendees and facilitate the events.

RYLA was officially adopted by Rotary International in 1971, and it is one of the most significant and fastest-growing Rotary service programs. RYLA often leads to the formation or strengthening of Rotaract and Interact clubs, and participants frequently go on to become Rotary Youth Exchange students or Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholars. For more information about RYLA in your area, contact your local Rotary club. 

The RI Board encourages clubs and districts to consider inviting socially and economically disadvantaged youth with leadership potential to participate.

Through RYLA, district chairs and other Rotarians have the exciting opportunity to become involved with young people in their community. By nurturing youth, Rotarians can provide the skills young people need to succeed as future community leaders. Taking part in RYLA also helps Rotarians develop their own leadership and communication skills.

Rotarians interested in RYLA maintain a Web site that includes a worldwide RYLA calendar and a discussion forum.

District report form

Each year, Rotary International asks current district RYLA chairs (or in the absence of a chair, the district governor) to fill out a RYLA Report Form (PDF). Completed forms, which are due to RI headquarters each year by 15 July, are used by RI staff to help incoming district RYLA chairs exchange information and ideas.

Attach a copy of your RYLA program and supplementary materials to the form, and send everything to RI Programs staff.

Read an article about RYLA history by Past Foundation Trustee Irving J. “Sonny” Brown.

Resources

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Brochure (PDF)

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Handbook (PDF)