Young Rotary leaders exchange ideas at two-day summit

Although there are many young leaders within Rotary's global community, there are few opportunities for them to connect with other young professionals and to add their voices to the discussion. The aim of the Young Professionals Summit was to engage participants in open and candid discussions about what's working now in Rotary, ideas for improvements, and ways to extend positive experiences with Rotary to young professionals around the world. Organizers hope that the participants will hold similar events in their own cities to bring more young professionals' voices into conversations about membership, diversity, and the transition from Rotaract and Rotary.

The event, which included Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Rotary program alumni, was organized and moderated by Rotary staff. It was held in an eclectic meeting space designed to foster creativity, and the participants were encouraged to dress casually. During the discussions, a professional sketch artist illustrated the young leaders' ideas on whiteboards.

"Each participant walked away with ideas, strategies, and best practices that they are excited to work with Rotary leaders to implement at the club or district level," said Nicole Jones, one of the Rotary staff members who planned the event.

The summit included small-group sessions that enabled participants to brainstorm about ways to improve Rotary, and particularly about ideas for better engaging young professionals.

"The energy and ideas that have flowed in this room over the last two days are so refreshing," said Kathryn Fahy, governor of District 5970 and a member of the Rotary Club of Iowa Great Lakes, Iowa, at the end of the summit. "We've exchanged actual hands-on ideas that we can take back to our clubs, and really change momentum in Rotary."

Rotary clubs and districts are encouraged to hold similar events in their region to engage young leaders and strengthen Rotary's membership.

"I definitely think this summit has great potential in other countries. I think that Rotaractors abroad are really active and really seeking a space where they can share ideas and brainstorm," said Cindy Youssef, a member of the Rotaract Club of Greenville, South Carolina.

"A summit like this, even though it's a short experience, is filled with so much valuable information and so many take-away points that everyone can benefit."

Learn more about one young professional's experience at the summit

By Daniela Garcia - Rotary News - 12-Nov-2014