About RYLA

If It Is To Be, It Is Up To Me!

Leader: One who, by the power of their positive actions, compels others to positive action.

What is RYLA?
In Rotary District 5970, RYLA is a 5-day leadership conference held at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.  Rotary District 5970 covers North Central and Northeastern Iowa.

Who is eligible?
Any High School Sophomore or Junior (classes of 2014 and 2013, respectively) may apply.  Generally, the applicants who are selected have excelled in one or more areas of high school involvement and have proven leadership experience or potential.

Dates:
Sunday, July 15 through Friday, July 20, 2012.
It is vital that the conferee stay through the entire conference!

The objectives of RYLA are:

• To encourage and assist youth leaders and potential leaders in methods of responsible and effective leadership by providing them with a training experience.
• To encourage continued and stronger leadership of youth by youth
• To publicly recognize the outstanding qualities of many young people who are rendering service to their schools and communities as leaders

The entire focus of RYLA is to provide foundational leadership skills for teenagers.  It has been said that leadership cannot be taught, but it must be learned.  At RYLA there are opportunities to learn leadership skills through experiential activities, incredible speakers, small group discussions, large group presentations, and in building life-long friendships.

Part of the magic of RYLA is not having any expectations going into it, which is why we are rather close-mouthed about exactly what we do.  RYLA keeps the students busy all day every day, but the end result is more than worth the initial scariness of the unknown.

What does it cost?
Your local Rotary club pays the conference fee of $400.00 per participant.

How to Apply:
Follow the steps below to apply.

1. Click on the application link, download the application and save it.  (RYLA Conference Student Application)
2. Review the application.  You will find that it will ask you to write responses to the following requests for information.  Before starting, you may want to write your brief responses in your favorite word processor.  Then come back to the application to paste in your responses (remember, brief responses are best):
   • Please introduce yourself to us.
   • List any academic awards have you received.
   • List your school activities and outside activities.
   • List leadership positions have you held in your school, club, church or community.
   • List any youth conferences you have attended.
   • What special talents do you have (i.e. music, art, athletics, writing, drama, others)?
   • Please indicate a few career or personal goals.
3. Print your application and review, sign and get a parent’s signature.
4. Give the signed application to your local Rotary club’s RYLA Representative or to your school counselor.
5. Contact the RYLA Representative in your local Rotary club who will explain the remaining steps in the application process.  To find Rotary clubs and who to contact, click here: (Rotary contacts-TBA).

High School Sophomores and Juniors (classes of 2014 and 2013) may apply beginning February 15, 2012.

Registration closes April 30, 2012.

Best Wishes!

District 5970 RYLA Registar

If you have any difficulties with your application or have any questions about RYLA, please send an e-mail to:

rylaregistrar@district5970.org