TOne of the strategic priorities of Rotary International is to increase sustainable services focused on Youth and Young Adult Programs. Broward County is certainly not immune to the many challenges facing our youth, and the increased need for literacy improvement, mentoring, financial assistance, and learning the importance of giving back to their community.

High school students have an opportunity through their involvement in Rotary’s Interact clubs to participate in various service projects throughout the school year. Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. The Rotary Club of Weston sponsors Interact clubs at Cypress Bay High and Western High Schools. Although we provide support and guidance, the Interact clubs are self-governing and self-supporting.

Each year, Interact clubs complete at least two community service projects, one of which furthers international understanding and goodwill. Through these efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs and learn the importance of:

• Developing leadership skills and personal integrity
• Demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others
• Understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work
• Advancing international understanding and goodwill

As one of the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary service, with more than 10,700 clubs in 109 countries and geographical areas, Interact has become a worldwide phenomenon. Almost 200,000 young people are involved in Interact clubs.

The Rotary Club of Weston also sponsors a Youth Literacy Program that includes mentoring, book donations to the Weston Branch Library and a reading program for children. And, one of Weston Rotary best known initiatives is our annual scholarship program for seniors at Cypress Bay and Western High Schools. Graduating seniors are awarded scholarships based on a combination of academic accomplishment, leadership and a demonstrated commitment to community service. If you know a deserving student who wants to be considered for a 2011 Rotary scholarship, advise them to contact the guidance counselor at their respective school.

Funding for our scholarship program is derived from our Scholarship Golf Classic which is held every April at Weston Hills Country Club. I thank our perennial title sponsor, WestonLawyers.com, as well as our presenting sponsors (Broward Collision, Community Bank of Broward and Acuderm), and more than one-hundred businesses and individuals (including Weston Lifestyle Magazine) who actively supported our 2010 event. Our 24th Annual WestonLawyers.com Scholarship Golf Classic is slated for April 2011.

In closing, the members of Weston Rotary congratulate our 2010 Rotary Club of Weston Scholarship recipients; they are truly a fine group of young men and women who are a credit to our community. We believe that by helping our youth improve their education, we are contributing to development of future effective leaders.

We meet every Thursday morning from 7:30 – 8:30 AM at Weston Hills Country Club for breakfast and a lively program. For more information, please contact me (Dan Young) at 954.336.8400 or dyoung@youngconsultinggroup.com or any Weston Rotarian. And, check out our website (WestonRotary.org), and our FaceBook Fan Page (Rotary Club of Weston) for the latest happenings.