Programs for Young Leaders

Programs for Young Leaders – June 2026

Youth across District 7815 continue to inspire us through leadership, service, and connection. From Youth Exchange and Interact to HIP and RYLA, this month highlights the incredible impact of our young leaders and the Rotarians who support them.

We celebrate the success of our inbound and outbound Youth Exchange students, recognize our first-ever Interact Citation Award recipients, and share exciting opportunities through the HIP Youth-to-Youth Truth and Reconciliation Experience.

We also reflect on two highly successful RYLA events held in Newfoundland and the Maritimes, where youth developed leadership skills, built meaningful connections, and made a difference through service.

These programs continue to shape future leaders across District 7815—and we invite more Rotarians to get involved in supporting these life-changing opportunities.

Read more for full updates on Youth Exchange, Interact, HIP, and RYLA.

Programs for Young Leaders
June 2026 Newsletter
Youth Exchange
Our Long-Term Inbound Youth Exchange students have just finished their final two weekends with their fellow Inbound students, one at RYLA in St. John’s May 8-9th, 2026 (Tanuja) and most other Inbound students attended RYLA in Truro along with Interact and youth in our District.  The next weekend was as part of District Conference in Shediac, NB.  See below for further details on RYLA.
 
Eight inbound exchange students and 4 Interact members attended UNITE FOR GOOD TIMES North Atlantic District Conference 2026 Friday May 29 -Sunday May 31, 2026.  Youth helped Build a Bed with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, some participated in the Peace Workshop, many participated in Peace Pole Ceremonies, and had some great times at Bay Vista Cottages and participating in Peace Building sessions at the conference.  They helped us by carrying flags at our Opening Ceremonies, pictured below.  Use of cottages for our students were courtesy of Mr. Brian Ritchie who is a 50-year member of the RC of Moncton.  Thanks to Anna Gleason, Inbound Coordinator for Youth Exchange who took the lead here.  We also thank her for her wonderful presentation about her own exchange.  We are looking for volunteers to support this weekend in Halifax next year if you have interest. 
 
We are currently good bye to 9 amazing inbound students and welcoming home 8 outbound students who are still on exchange as I write this.  We are also preparing to send out/welcome in 13 Short Term Exchange Students in our District this summer.  In August/September, we will send out 11 Outbound Long Term Exchange Students and welcome in 11 Inbound Long Term Exchange students.  Even if your club does not participate in this program, we welcome your input to make this the best youth Program Rotary has to offer.  If you would like to get involved, please reach out.  It is one of the most rewording things that I do in life, supporting youth in an adventure of a lifetime!
 
WE NEED MORE MEMBERS TO JOIN OUR DISTRICT TEAM SUPPORTING YOUTH EXCHANGE! 
Work with your District Team to make this the best program it can be!  You can make a difference in the life of our Youth!  Please reach out to Nick O’Toole/Marcel Gervais for more information at d7815ryechair@gmail.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interact
 
🎉 Celebrating Our First District 7815 Interact Citation Award Recipients
 
During the 2025–2026 school year, the District 7815 Interact Committee proudly launched our first-ever District Citation Award—inspired by the Rotary International Citation for Rotary clubs.
 
This initiative was introduced to Interact Advisors and Teachers during our September Zoom session, along with a planning guide designed to support club success throughout the year. To qualify, clubs were challenged to complete 7 out of 9 achievement criteria, focused on key areas such as:
  • Environment
  • Global engagement
  • Membership growth
  • Social media presence
  • Youth programs
  • Service projects
We are thrilled to recognize four outstanding Interact Clubs who achieved the District 7815 Citation Award this year. Their dedication, creativity, and commitment made a meaningful impact in their schools and communities. Congratulations on an incredible achievement!
👏 Well done to all students, advisors, and supporters involved—you should be extremely proud!
 
🚀 Looking Ahead
Interested in getting your Interact Club involved? We can’t wait to share more! Join us as we kick off the 2026–2027 school year this September, where we’ll introduce new opportunities and support for clubs ready to take part.
 
 
🤝 Thank You
 
As always, the success of Interact relies heavily on the dedication of our Rotary Advisors and Teacher Advisers.   Your continued support in bringing these initiatives to your clubs is invaluable—and greatly appreciated. Please ensure you register as the Advisor for next year on My Rotary to keep your club active.
 
Also, a heartfelt thankyou to the amazing committee Bev Barker, Michelle Vokey, Axel Nafthal, and Christina Sappington.  Your enthusiasm, cooperation and willingness to serve embody the spirit of Rotary and especially
Interact

Thank you,
Paula Hiltz
D7815 Interact Chair.
 
 
Honouring Indigenous Peoples
 
HIP Youth to Youth will be held in Alberta for 2027!  Applications are now open!
We need more Rotarians in the regions to help us market this to indigenous and non-indigenous youth in our areas. 
 
Youth-to-Youth Truth and Reconciliation Experience
Alberta, Canada, May 2027
 
Y2Y is a transformative program that immerses Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth between the ages of 15 and 17 in Indigenous culture while fostering connections with a diverse group of young people from across Canada. They engage in meaningful cultural exchanges, learn about Indigenous traditions, and deepen their understanding of Indigenous history and heritage.
 
Through activities, workshops, and interactive sessions, youth are encouraged to embrace diversity, build relationships, and develop a greater appreciation for Indigenous perspectives and contributions. This experience serves as a catalyst for personal growth, intercultural learning, and fostering las-ng connections.
 
Who is eligible?
Indigenous, self-identified Indigenous and Non-Indigenous youth (male, female, LGBTQ2S & disabled) interested in being an agent for change and currently enrolled in Grades 9 to 11. Applicants for the 2027 HIP
Reconciliation experience must be between the ages of 15 and 17 as of March 1, 2027. This event is free for those who are selected and includes travel to and from the event, accommodations, food and museum admission.  Only 50 youth will be chosen from across Canada.
 
How do students apply?
Students apply online at HIP by no later than October 30, 2026.
Applications are reviewed by the HIP National Y2Y Committee.
Participants will be selected and notified by Jan. 15, 2027.
 
Where can I find more information?
Please visit our website or contact us via email at info@hipally.com or your local Rotary district coordinator, Jane Simmons at jsimmons@iohs.ca .
Looking for members for our District Committee in 2027.  Members from all provinces are needed. 
 
Please reach out to Jane Simmons at jsimmons@iohs.ca or 709-749-8849 if you wish to get involved to support this program in the future.   More representatives from across our District will help get the word out, particularly to youth who have less opportunities to participate.
 
 
 
RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards)
 
This year we were able to host two RYLA programs in our District; May 8-9 in St. John’s NL and May 15 to 16 in Truro NS!
 
16 youth attended RYLA in NL, with sponsorship provided by 4 clubs in the St. John/CBS region.  Students mostly from our three Interact Clubs in Holy Spirit, Holy Heart, and Gonzaga attended the event.  Rotaract Co-Chair (Leah Casey) and Jane Simmons (St. John’s Northwest), several other Rotaract members, and their families, and members representing 4 clubs in our area, joined the youth for a garbage and debris clean up of the grounds at Saint Patrick’s Mercy Home in St. John’s on Sunday as our RYLA Community Service project.  The chair of the board was so appreciative of our efforts, advising that provincial funding for such clean ups is not provided.  We have registered this event under the Epic Day of Service.
 
39 youth from across the Maritimes attended the Truro event.  Thanks to Co-Chairs Liz Wilcox and Helen Becker, of Truro Rotary Club, for leading this event.  Nine volunteers, three who acted as chaperones as well as monitors of the breakout sessions, were there to support this amazing group of high school students. Without this level of commitment, this event could not have taken place.
 
Thank you also to Edgar Allain, the incoming President of Moncton Rotary Club 2026-2027, for being the lead facilitator and champion of John Maxwell’s Value Based Program called iChoose, which was the main curriculum used in both programs.   This program divides students into breakout teams where the students were expected to learn and reflect on their own leadership skills and on ways to improve those skills. Group Monitors helped monitor the groups and also learned a lot about themselves and others.  Active and highly energetic team building exercises on Friday evening helped everyone to relax and get to know each other.
 
We anticipate 2 RYLAs will be required next year in the Maritimes, possibly with one in New Brunswick and one in Nova Scotia to accommodate this very popular event. Prince Edward Island Clubs could also consider to run one of these or their own!   Alternatively, a larger event with a venue that can accommodate more youth from all provinces will need to be organized! 
 
If you wish to get involved so we have no disappointed youth in 2027, please step up and help us make this happen!  Get started at our upcoming debrief in Mid-June about this year’s events to get the planning going for 2027!
 
Please contact upcoming Chair of Programs for Young Leaders 2026-2027, Paula Hiltz, at nason@nbnet.nb.ca or Jane Simmons, current Acting Chair of RYLA/Chair of Programs for Young Leaders 2023-2026 at jsimmons@iohs.ca