“The show only ends when it ends” – Abelardo Barbosa… This is a famous saying attributed to a renowned Brazilian comedian when referring to his show.
May is the month of Youth Service.
Nothing better to kick off this month than with RYLA. RYLA is back! Led by PDG Donna Gaiser (Chair), Toni Wiersenman, and Denise Witeade, the RYLA Committee orchestrated an amazing event with 38 campers, reviving the program after a year-long hiatus. Undoubtedly, DG Julia Babbitt and her team are poised to elevate the next RYLA to new heights.
This Rotary year has been particularly special for Rotary clubs worldwide. Districts are reintroducing programs following an extended period of disruption. This year marked a return to in-person meetings and the revival of flagship programs like the Youth Exchange. Our first outbound students in quite some time, due to obvious reasons, will return home from Korea in June. Excitingly,thank you Susan Frey from the RC of Cocoa Beach. DGE Julia Babbitt has already appointed Ellen Cruse also from RC Cocoa Beach as the new Youth Exchange chair, signaling a promising expansion of the program. Ellen will have immediate access to all Youth Exchange resources, recognizing that continuity is essential for our Rotary programs.
We’ve had an incredible year with the Interact program. Under the leadership of Chair Lorriane Hernandez,from RC Lake Worth, the program was rebuilt from scratch. Information was organized, inactive clubs were rechartered, and an impressive seven new clubs were established. We now boast 27 Interact Clubs in our district, marking a significant achievement.
Additionally, two Rotaract Clubs have been reinstated, with a third on its way. There are hopes for a new Rotaract club in Boca Raton next year, potentially bringing our district’s total to four fully active clubs, in accordance with Rotary International guidelines. This year, we will host our inaugural Rotaract Conference on June 8.
And the good news continues.
We welcome three new Satellite clubs, and the Riviera Beach satellite club has transitioned into a fully chartered Rotary Club. This expansion is bolstering our district’s membership, signaling growth once again!
The PolioPlus Society is flourishing, and we are nearing our goal of 500 members in the district. This momentum sets a strong foundation for the upcoming Rotary year. Donations to Polio eradication efforts, alongside contributions to the Annual Fund, are reaching remarkable levels. Remember, our District is matching donations to the Annual Funds, until May 15th—act fast!
As evident, these achievements may not be widely broadcasted on social media, but they form the necessary infrastructure for our district’s growth! A strong RYLA depends on robust Interact programs, which also play a vital role in promoting the Youth Exchange programs. Increasing our membership enables us to boost donations to the Rotary Foundation and gather more support for our local projects. It’s all interconnected, and our success relies on having everything working in perfect harmony for our growth!
I can’t forget two important announcements:
Our District Conference is just a couple of weeks away, and you won’t want to miss the fantastic lineup of speakers! This Conference will be unlike any you’ve attended before. Instead of breakout sessions, we’ll all come together for a collective learning experience and to be inspired by our amazing speakers. It’s an opportunity for everyone to connect and network with our fellow Rotary family members. Get ready for some good comedy and dancing—we’re going to have a blast!
Also, please remind your club president not to forget to cast your club’s vote to select our district representative for the committee that will choose our next Zone Director. The Nomination Committee, led by PDH Jimmy Sisserson, is doing an outstanding job, and we’re conducting the selection through the clubs’ choices.
Thank you very much for all you’re doing to Create Hope in the World!
