MOLDING TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY
By DCC Vhell Arias, RC Las Piñas East

An enjoyable but content-filled meeting of the D3830 Youth Committee for RY 2008-09 was held last July 16 at the residence of Senior Assistant Governor Joji Tan in Valle Verde 1, Pasig. It was an afternoon of learning about the district thrusts for youth empowerment through a mini-Rotary academy module on youth and loads of fellowship.

The committee chair DCC Vhell Arias of RC Las Piñas East oriented the members on the various projects in store for the youth of D3830 for RY 2008-2009.

The dynamic tandem of DDCC for Rotaract Lilibeth dela Cruz and DDCC for Interact Jojo Josol would start the ball rolling with plans for the upcoming District Rotaract Interact Assembly 2008 (DRIA) underway. This is similar to the DISTAS for Rotarians offered to leaders of Rotaract and Interact Clubs in the district. This will be held on August 23 at the University of Makati.

This will be followed by the District Rotaract Interact Advisors Council (DRIAC) Conference chaired by PP Yolly Tan of RC Las Piñas West on September 27 at Club Café in Makati Sports Club.

The Youth Empowerment Culture and Sports Programs under DDCC Andy Fernandez include:

• Songfests (Choral & Solo) chaired by PP Inky Reyes of RC Makati Dasmariñas on Oct. 18 at University of Makati


• Youth Olympics chaired by PP Louie Vega of RC Makati South at the Rizal Memorial Track and Field Oval on Feb.15


• District Youth Painting Contest chaired by PP Larry Ocampo of RC Makati West  on Feb. 21 at the Ayala Museum,


• Oratorical Contest chaired by PP German Gapac of RC Makati Southwest


• and Voice of the Youth: Impromptu Speaking Contest chaired by DDCC Jojo Josol of RC Las Piñas West.

Youth Empowerment Seminars under DDCC Maning Oller of RC Munti North start with the New Generations Conference chaired by PP Vic Yap of RC Makati Paseo de Roxas on September 20 at the University of Makati. This event will offer a forum for dialog between community leaders and the youth in general aged 14 to 30. It will provide the latter with an opportunity to voice their concerns and articulate their vision of the future.

The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) chaired by IPP Areta Justado of RC Muntinlupa North will follow suit on Feb. 7-8. This annual camp for out-of-school youth with leadership potential encourages leadership and value-formation of youth by youth.

The MUNA (Model United Nations Assembly) chaired by IPP Chito Chavez of RC Makati Jose P. Rizal at the WHO Headquarters will allow participants to experience a simulation of a United Nations Assembly general assembly and its committees. The event will train future leaders and enhance the youth’s understanding of world affairs and politics.

The Love of Earth Project, Part II, is going to be a flagship project of the District Youth Committee with lead club host RC Makati Dasmariñas. It will be held on Oct. 26. It will encourage our youth participants and Rotarians from D3830 to engage in green practices.