Lynn Walton presided over the meeting. Mark Killingsworth provided the opening prayer and Anthony Harris led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Lynn reminded members that board election ballots are being distributed today. Members are asked to vote for the candidates of their choice and leave the ballots on the tables at the end of today’s meeting. She also reported that Annie Jackson has agreed to be the program committee chair for the coming year. Members are encouraged to volunteer to assist her
Lynn then introduced today’s guest speaker, Anni Carracedo. She is a champion of Rotary Youth Programs in District 6840. She is chair of the inaugural student-led District Interact. Anni accepted the challenge of serving a year as a Rotary Goodwill Ambassador (Rotary Youth Exchange student) after becoming involved in the Interact Club of Valencia in her home country of Venezuela. Her exchange to Bay St. Louis was curtailed when the Covid pandemic shut down schools and communities. She has been allowed to extend her visa and remain in the United States.
Anni explained that Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self. Benefits of being a Interact club member include taking action to make a difference in their schools and communities, discovering new cultures and promoting international understanding, becoming a leader in their school and community, and having fun while making friends from around the world. Rotary Interact clubs are now being expanded to local communities. Anni encouraged our club to consider starting an Interact club.
Through her Interact club in Bay St. Louis, Anni and other members began a Shoes, Socks and Hats program to raise money for Venezuela refugees. That program has received recognition from Rotary International. She began the project with just a handful of students, but it has now expanded to more than 900 members from 80 countries. They meet via Zoom. She encouraged our members to consider volunteering to host a Youth Exchange student in the future.
Another important youth program is the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). Anni says it is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where students develop their skills as a leader while having fun and making connections. Rising high school seniors are eligible to participate in the program.
Another important youth program is the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). Anni says it is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where students develop their skills as a leader while having fun and making connections. Rising high school seniors are eligible to participate in the program.
Benefits of the RYLA program includes connecting with leaders in the community and around the world. Participants build communication and problem-solving skills, discover strategies for becoming a dynamic leader in their school or community and unlock their potential to turn motivation into action. Our club has sponsored RYLA candidates in the past. Anni says Rotary needs RYLA applications this year. The program has suffered the past two years because of Covid.02
There being no further business to come before the club, Lynn thanked Anni for her presentation and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”