Overseas Programs 2002- First Overseas program was Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands , England

Rotary Club of Ormskirk, West Lancashire, England

Coventry England

Gibraltar

Special Features of Program Inclusive – no special mental or physical ability level Designed for young people in their last year of primary school Supplementary to school programs The program is easily transferrable and wherever a presentation is made the children all look the same holding their certificates. The frame is important – if it was just the certificate it would be thrown into a drawer. Framed it is displayed.

Special Features of Program Conducted mostly outside school time Links young people with community members Provides mentored learning Partners Rotary with local Primary Schools

Starting the Program To get this program underway in a club you need a Rotarian who is prepared to be the co-ordinator and firstly promote the program in the local schools. In our club I am the Youth Director and this is part of my role. Each participating school appoints a supervisor who can be a teacher or a parent. The Rotarian co-ordinator they organise ten liaises with the supervisor during the course of the program. Over 17 years of experience has show that once introduced into a school it automatically continues the following year due to its ready acceptance by teachers and parents. The best time for the program is during term 2 and 3 with initial preparation taking place during term 1. A good time to be talking to schools is in about September and October when decisions are being made about the next year’s activities. One school in our area attempted to make the program compulsory. Of the 60 children who started only 20 achieved the Award. We don’t recommend this approach but all schools work differently.

Presentation night The culmination of the Award is Presentation Night. This arranged by the sponsoring Rotary Club and varies from place to place. At last year’s Rotary Club of Mitchell River’s Presentation Night more than 500 people attended a formal function to see 128 children from 14 local schools receive their Awards which is now held over 2 nights so that all parents and supporters can attend – and it doesn’t take more than one hour. The children came from as far away as 2 hours drive! The aims of Rotary were very much in the hearts and minds of the 128 participating families. If there is a better way of showing leadership working directly with large numbers of families in our communities I would like to know about it!