In Gear | Rotary in Southern New Zealand Issue 2 | Page 46

them for their iconic Milford Track tramp. And, we also make sure they get to take in as much of New Zealand as possible by organising tours throughout the North and South Islands.” Clubs can host a student – but hosts don’t have to be Rotarians. “It doesn’t matter, either, if you don’t have teenagers the same age at home. We currently have two sets of grandparents hosting and the students are having a ball.” However, to survive, Merv says, the RYE programme needs an injection of support and participation from clubs. “So, talk to your club, or contact one of the committee, to see how you can get involved. I guarantee it will add a new lease of life to your club and to you personally.” URGENT: HOST FAMILY NEEDED We’re looking for a host family for Sebastion, our Chilean student, who arrives at the end of January. Sebastion will be based in Dunedin until March/April, and will be attending Kavanagh College. Think you can help? Contact District 9980 Rotary Youth Exchange Committee chair Merv Clearwater by email: [email protected] rotary youth exchange ALEXANDRA PRIMED TO HOST RETREAT Time’s almost up for District 9980 clubs to nominate young adults from their community to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) five-day residential camp in Alexandra next year. District RYLA co-ordinator Barry Bemrose, of the Rotary Club of Alexandra – next year’s host – says applications for the camp, which has a limit of 40 participants, close on December 16. Warren Lees, hospitality business coach Liz Perkins, multi-sporter Scott Worthington, politician, broadcaster and writer Michael Laws, motivational speaker and author Wayne Perkins, and former New Zealand Cricket chair and Rotarian Stuart Heal. Greg Bodecker, from the Centre for Space Science Technology, which was recently selected to be New Zealand’s second Regional Research Institute, will also speak. He’s encouraging each club to explore the programme and think seriously about sponsoring a young person in their community. The camp, which is open to 18 to 26 year olds who have left school, runs just after Easter, from April 17 to 21, and will be based at Dunstan High School’s hostel. Themed ‘Challenges of a Balanced Life’, next year’s leadership camp has already secured a dynamic speaker line-up, including Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan, former New Zealand international cricketer “As our global environment becomes more challenging and at risk, there’s increasing demand for real leadership within our society. Successful leaders, generally speaking, are made not born,” Barry says. Page 46 | In Gear - Rotary in southern New Zealand - District 9980 | www.rotarydistrict9980.org