Rotary Youth Leadership Awards for District 9213 Launched at Gayaza

On a chilly July 21st, 2024, the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) for District 9213 was launched at the Rotary Club of Gayaza. The cold weather did little to dampen the spirits of the attendees, as keynote speaker Ethan Musolini quickly warmed up the audience with a dynamic and engaging start to his presentation, calling on passionate individuals to join him in a dance. This lively opening set a tone of excitement and joy for the event.

Musolini, a professional motivational speaker, shared his inspiring journey of growth, perfectly illustrating the theme of RYLA 2024/25: “Passion, Action, Reaction.” He emphasized the importance of continually gaining new knowledge to offer value to others. Through personal anecdotes, he demonstrated how taking consistent action leads to new horizons and better places. Musolini stressed the importance of finding one’s purpose by discovering and leveraging talents to help others and generate income.

A key takeaway from his speech was, “If there is no enemy within, the enemy outside cannot harm us.” This highlighted the need to build personal strengths and resilience. He used the metaphor of people not throwing stones at a barren mango tree to emphasize that facing challenges is a sign of progress and self-improvement. Musolini’s words left a lasting impression on the audience, reinforcing the event’s theme.

The District Rotaract Representative, Simeo Ssebukulu, graced the occasion with a well-packaged message. He implored the team to indigenize the leadership program to the Rotary and Rotaract context, emphasizing its importance in feeding membership to Rotaract. Sebukulu recommended that RYLA attendees should emerge distinct from the rest, with something tangible to show for their experience. He stressed the importance of communication skills that enable participants to focus public relations on actions rather than reactions. “Our greatest public relations is in character,” he said.

DRR Simeo appreciated the branding of RYLA and urged Rotaractors to publicize their daily lives more than their nightlife, aligning with the theme’s focus on “Reaction.” He called for the continuation of RYLA through a continuous mentorship program. He concluded by requesting that the Rotary International President, who will be in the country during the RYLA event, officiate at the closing ceremony.

The Chief Guest, Deputy District Governor, the Honorable Dr. Mike Kennedy Sebalu, expressed his gratitude to the RYLA team for their organization and preparation. He praised the choice of Ethan Mussolini as the keynote speaker, noting how effectively he brought the theme to life. PDG Mike highlighted the time-bound nature of “Passion, Action, Reaction,” emphasizing the importance of timing in achieving results. Despite the bad weather, the event kept to its schedule, demonstrating the team’s commitment. He shared his experiences in community, civic, and business leadership, all fueled by passion.

He officially flagged off the RYLA program, encouraging participants to prove their capabilities in the face of doubt, drawing from his life experiences. He called on the team to support RYLA through pledges, resulting in the sponsorship of 10 youths that gave the RYLA 2024 a remarkable kick-off! 

The launch event marked the beginning of a RYLA that promises to impact youth profoundly. It was a celebration of passion in action, creating a reaction that will resonate throughout the Rotary community. The event successfully set a positive tone for the RYLA 2024/25 program, inspiring attendees to embrace passion, action, and reaction in their personal and professional lives.

Article Submitted by Maureen Kawombe Tumwebaze, District Chair – RYLA 2024/25

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