The Future Of Rotary Depends On The New GENERATION

In April 2010, representatives at the Council on Legislation met in Chicago, USA and approved New Generations as the Fifth Avenue of Service in Rotary. The news of the Council’s decision was welcomed with excitement and enthusiasm by Rotarians across the globe since this would create impetus in synergy between Rotarians and Rotaractors. The Timeline interviewed David Muiru, the District New Generations Service Chairman, about the changes.

This is the first time there is a New Generation Committee in our District. Why the need for it?

The term “New Generations” was coined by Past Rotary International President Luis Vicente when he shared his belief that the future of Rotary relied on involving young people in the organization’s programs and activities.

In his view, our vision for the future, now more than ever, is the difference between success and failure. The New Generations Service is our investment, in the future. Let us begin to build that future today.

The New Generations Service recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities, involvement in community and international service projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and understanding.

Which are the other avenues of Service?

The five avenues of service in Rotary include Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service and now, the New Generations Service.

The four youth-oriented programs for New Generations remain the same; Interact a service club for young people ages 12-1 which has 11,900 clubs in over 131 countries. Rotaract a service club for students and young professionals ages 18-30 with nearly 7,600 clubs in 165 countries. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards – RYLA an intensive training programs for youth ages 14-30. Lastly, Rotary Youth Exchange, a high school exchange program for youth ages 15-19 with now over 8,000 exchanges every year.

Like the other avenue of service in Rotary, the New Generations Service aims at increasing membership, helping implement successful service projects, supporting The Rotary Foundation and developing leaders beyond the club level.

In your perspective as the new District Chair of New Generations Service, what is the fundamental idea behind this 5^th avenue of service?

Youth programs help extend the family of Rotary. Working with youth instils Rotary’s value in the future generations to come.

Clubs that build ties with the youth in their communities cultivate future members and become rejuvenated by the energy and new perspectives that young people have to offer. The New Generations Avenue of Service acknowledges the exceptional work that Rotarians do with youth and young adults while encouraging clubs to spread their reach even further.

In this regard, the fundamental idea behind the New Generations Service is to support the personal and professional success of young people while recognizing the diversity of their needs

The committee intends to achieve this through vocational and community service projects that target the youth to establish strong relationships with participants not only to make a long-term investment in New Generations but also to support their service and enrich their clubs

Sounds like a very meticulous idea! Who are the members of your committee to help you achieve this?

For our District 9212, the structure of the New Generations Committee includes;

This appears to be a well-constituted committee! What is the outlook the Committee’s plan of action this Rotary Year?

Rotarians have long been committed to serving youth in their communities. The Rotary International Strategic Plan encourages clubs to balance activities in all five Avenues of Service,

With this in mind, our core mandate as a committee is to promote New Generations Service among club members which we intend to achieve by including New Generations articles in the District newsletters, sharing project details in the District website and social networks, contacting local media to cover and share information about their projects.

Recognizing Rotarians who demonstrate outstanding commitment to New Generations, offering awards and scholarships to students who exemplify Rotary ideals, involving local youth in fundraising efforts that support projects for young people in the community/ around the world and lastly, supporting youth through community service projects such as donating books.

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What is your role as the New Generation Service Chairman for the Rotary District 9212?

My role entails determining New Generations district goals, planning and evaluating youth programs/ projects in collaboration with the committee members, club boards and members, budgeting and cooperating in developing grant request or other fundraising support and finally reporting to the District Governor regularly to keep club’s leadership apprised on New Generations activities.

The Importance of the New Generation Service to Rotary cannot be underscored. Do you concur?

Yes. I believe that New Generations bring a fresh view and the desire to make the world better; a great enthusiasm and energy to conduct service and an un-insatiable thirst to acquire new skills. 

As Rotarians, we also gain the understanding that our world will be in good hands in the future, and we are helping to develop the next generation of Rotarians.  Ideally, this culminates to a strong and lasting relationship between Rotary and Rotarians in line with Rotary’s principle motto, “Service above Self”

The New Generation Service seeks to work with a younger generation on improving education and life skills; keeping high ethical standards and integrity as a focus in all the things we think, say and do, enhancing leadership and communication skills, bridging the gap to higher education and to a fulfilling career with mentorship and networking.