Past President Sermchai
Saksalakul presents a token of appreciation to PDG Pratheep Malhotra after
his talk on the roots of Rotary.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary’s
leadership training program for young people emphasizing leadership,
citizenship, and personal growth, and aims to demonstrate Rotary’s respect
and concern for youth, provide an effective training experience for selected
youth and potential leaders, encourage leadership of youth by youth and
recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their
communities.
Rotary districts all over the world annually organise an
RYLA training program in their respective districts. RYLA participants can
be between the ages of 14 and 30, but most Rotary clubs and districts choose
to focus on a narrower age range of 14-18 years of age.
District Governor Thatree
Leetheeraprasert presents RYLA certificates of achievement to the
participants.
This year the Rotary Club of Plutaluang played host to
the RYLA programme in District 3340. The 4-day training programme was held
from October 8-11 at the Royal Thai Navy Scouts Camp on Had Yao in Sattahip
district of Chonburi province.
Thatree Leetheeraprasert, governor of District 3340,
Rotary International and Past President Sermchai Saksalakul, organising
chairman of 21st Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, presided over the opening
ceremonies.
Past President Sermchai said that the 21st RYLA project
was held at Sattahip under the Rotary ruling that clubs in all four regions
of Thailand should participate in holding the project to help develop the
skills of youngsters nationwide. Every year the district governors assign a
club to organise the camp.
Kids from many parts of the
world fall in at the start of a once in a lifetime adventure.
Youngsters who took part in the project were from Rotary
District 3340 which covers the East and Northeast regions of Thailand.
At the opening ceremonies, District Governor Thatree
spoke on morality, ethics, energy consumption and preservation of natural
resources.
Past District Governor Premprecha Dibbayawan spoke on
Leadership saying, “The leader must be discerning, visible, and sharp. We
should not only give commands but also empower others with the freedom to
make their own decisions. Being a good leader is not a matter of ‘I the
leader and you the workers’. It must be ‘us’ the team. To be a good leader,
you must be an outstanding co-worker yourself. Don’t think of it as ‘our
side and their side’. Lead by example. Show your team that you are willing
to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty, doing exactly the same
things that you would expect them to do.”
East meets West at RYLA where
humanity meets to build world understanding and peace.
“But most important of all, to become a great leader, you
must learn to be a good listener.”
Past District Governor Pratheep Malhotra gave the
children an insight into Rotary and their good work for humanity. He spoke
of how and when Rotary was founded and how it has evolved into the most
respected service organisation in the world.
Experts in various academic fields were invited to give
talks on a variety of subjects. Each day the children took turns to be group
leaders and held activities such as a walk rally and debates. This gave a
chance to practically every boy and girl to act as leader for that day.
The ceremonial bonfire
brought the RYLA camp to a close.
Children from many parts of Thailand met for the very
first time, but in just a few days they created friendships that will last
them a lifetime.
This is what one RYLA student had to say, which is echoed
by youth the world over, “Although this was only a few days in my life, what
I learned at the camp was a lesson that will always remain with me. In all
aspects of my life where I will become a leader, I know that I can lead more
successfully because of the benevolence that I extend toward others. Helping
a person in need moves them toward success as well as increases the chance
that they will help others. If leadership is inspiring positive action by
one’s own actions, then kindness is an essential aspect of leadership.”
The kids had an exciting time
getting close to the airplanes at Utapao airport.
