Youthact

Youthact is a program of Service Above Self for middle school students ages 11 to 14. Very similar to Interact (high school) and Rotaract (college/university/community), Youthact is the next level downward in age as it relates to Rotary youth programs.

Although Youthact is not an “official” program of Rotary International, RI officials have encouraged the 100+ clubs already established around the world to "continue doing what they are doing" and to encourage other Rotary clubs to charter new Youthact clubs for the good they are accomplishing.

Youthact is an exciting program that is building momentum in District 6780. In January, 2002, the first Youthact club was established in our district. The Cleveland Middle School Youthact Club was formed with 15 members and since that time, eight other clubs have taken root and are flourishing: Huntland (Huntland School), McMinnville (Warren County Middle School), Pigeon Forge (Pigeon Forge Middle School) , Lafayette (Macon County Junior High), Seymour (Seymour Middle School), Seymour (Boyd’s Creek Elementary), Cookeville (Avery Trace Middle School) and Chattanooga (Silverdale Academy) .
Youthact has been present in numerous district conferences, at Interact conferences, at the Zone Institute in Chattanooga and as a special program at Grundy County, Bradley Sunrise, Livingston, Maryville, Oak Ridge and Etowah clubs. The program was also shared with 2003-2004 Rotary International President Jonathan Majiyabe when he came to Pigeon Forge. In attendance at that multi-district gathering were presidents and leaders from as far away as Wisconsin and more than two dozen requested and received information about starting Youthact in their clubs and districts. Youthact is a regular participant in the annual spring Interact conference.

Objectives of Youthact:

1. Develop leadership and personal integrity.
   
2. Practice thoughtfulness and service to others.
   
3. Increase awareness of the importance of home and family.
   
4. Recognize the worth of each individual.
   
5. Emphasize acceptance of individual responsibility for success.
   
6. Recognize the dignity and value of all useful occupations.
   
7. Provide opportunities for increased knowledge and understanding of community, national and world affairs.
   
8. Open avenues of personal and group action leading to the advancement of international understanding and goodwill towards all people.
   

2007-2008 District 6780 Goals:

1. Strengthen the network between existing and developing Youthact clubs in the district.
   
2. Increase the number of Youthact clubs in the district to eight.
   
3. Hold a Youthact Conference in partnership with Interact in March 2008.
   
4. Increase awareness of Youthact among all Rotary clubs in the district.
   
5. Continue to advocate for permanent adoption of Youthact as an official program of Rotary International.
   

Youthact Committee members Cameron Fisher and Ashley Smith are available to present the Youthact story to clubs with a powerpoint presentation. If your club has an interest in Youthact, would like to scheudle a program about Youthact or would like more information, please contact Cameron Fisher at cameronfis@aol.com .

If you would like to contact any of the current school or club sponsors about their experiences with Youthact, please feel free to do so.