Oxfam America Ambassador Scarlett Johansson recently visited a ShelterBox-tented camp in Dadaab. Well done Scarlett for shining a light on the world’s most vulnerable. Watch this CNN video to learn more about her visit to Kenya –
Bulletins
Rotary Programs for Youth and Young Adults: New Generations
Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but [Interact clubs] are self-governing and self-supporting.
Each year, Interact clubs complete at least two community service projects, one of which furthers international understanding and goodwill. Through these efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs and learn the importance of
Developing leadership skills and personal integrity
Demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others
Understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work
Advancing international understanding and goodwill
Rotaract clubs for men and women aged 18-30 foster leadership and responsible citizenship, encourage high ethical standards in business and promote international understanding and peace.
Under the guidance of a Rotarian advisor, Rotaract clubs conduct formal meetings, usually every two weeks, which feature speakers, tours of local businesses, cultural activities, discussions, and visits to other clubs. Each year, Rotaract clubs conduct at least one service project in each of three areas of service: vocational, community and international. In addition to their service agenda, Rotaract clubs also focus on professional development, organizing career-related programs to assist members and peers outside the club in making informed career choices.
RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) programs consist mainly of presentations, activities, and workshops. These three components are supplemented by group work, which can enhance presentations and facilitate team building.
Though each RYLA event is tailored to participants’ ages and interests, … a core curriculum should reflect community issues and be presented in a manner consistent with local customs … [and] cover the following topics:
Fundamentals of leadership
Ethics of positive leadership
Importance of communication skills in effective leadership
Problem solving and conflict management
What Rotary is and what it does for the community
Building self-confidence and self-esteem
Elements of community and global citizenship
Rotary Youth Exchange students… spend up to a year living with host families and attending school in a different country. …[Students] learn a new way of living, a great deal about [themselves], and maybe even a new language. [Students are] ambassadors, teaching people … about [their] country, culture, and ideas.
For over 75 years, students and host families have broadened their horizons through Rotary Youth Exchange. More than 80 countries and over 8,000 students each year participate in the program, which is administered at the regional level by Rotary districts and at the local level by Rotary clubs.
Piper’s Missing Piece
Rotarians and their partners have formed the “the world’s largest nonviolent army” to fight polio. Help End Polio Now by signing a petition at End of Polio, or give online at Contribute.
September is Rotary’s New Generations Month
Every year, thousands of talented and dedicated young people, ages 12-30, have an incredible experience in a New Generations program.
As Rotaractors and Interactors, they serve in communities at home and abroad. Through Rotary Youth Exchange, they explore new cultures. And as Rotary Youth Leadership Awards participants, they learn skills that will help them succeed as future community leaders.
New Generations is Rotary’s fifth Avenue of Service.
Turn New Generations into the Next Generation of Rotarians from Rotary International on Vimeo.
Air Swimmers
Just love thnis good idea for a fund raising party.
Shelter Box Needed in Kenya
Peter Pearce of Shelter Box Australia has just returned from Kenya and the Northern Borders where the infamous Dadaa camp is located. Some of you met Peter at the D9700 conference in Bathurst and they are looking for more ShelterBoxes to help provide much needed shelter for these famine ravaged Somalis. (click on the logo below)
ShelterBox tents providing shelter for families in need in Kenya
ShelterBox Response Team members Ben Spurway and Joe Cannon in Kenya
Thousands of Somali families fleeing famine and drought are receiving ShelterBox tents at a refugee camp in Kenya.
ShelterBox is working in partnership with UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and IOM (International Organization for Migration) to provide shelter for up to 20,000 Somali refugees at the camp in Dadaab.
Tens of thousands of refugees are still waiting to be registered and relocated from transition shelters outside of the camps, which mostly consist of sticks covered by clothes, blankets, tarpaulins and any other materials the families can lay their hands on. ShelterBox Response Team member, Julia Schaper (DE), said: ‘The situation is desperate for thousands of families living in very bad conditions. Driving through the transit areas it became immediately obvious that there is a huge need and we now want to get our tents up and families moved into them as quickly as possible.’
FULL STORY HERE
Presidential Citation
Every year the Rotary International President awards clubs around the world his Presidential Citation and this is awarded to all the clubs in Rotary who achieve a certain level of service within the 4 avenues of service available in Rotary. This year Coolamon was awarded the Presidential Citation by RI President Ray Klinginsmith. The award was presented to PP Ian Durham by PDG John Egan at our regular meeting last night.
Those present at the meeting had a good night and the award was followed by a talk by Assistan Governor Gary Roberts. Some photos: