New Generation & Vocational Service
The Rotary Club of Steveston undertakes a number of Vocational efforts:
- Awards
- Bursaries
- Literacy
- Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
- Rotary Youth Exchange
- Short Term Exchange Program (STEP)
- Group Study Exchange (GSE) and Rotary Friendship Exchange
- Rotaract
- Interact
Awards
Each year, The Rotary Club of Steveston and The Rotary Club of Steveston — Richmond Charitable Society provide up to six Awards of $750 to qualified graduating students from: Hugh Boyd, McMath, and Steveston/London Secondary Schools.
These Awards are to assist students in any post secondary program where the skills learned may be applied to improving the living standards of people in their own community or in the underdeveloped countries of the world.
Factors given strong consideration for these awards include:
- A minimum C+ average,
- A history of volunteer experience in school and the community at large,
- Pursuit of education in trade and technical areas, and/or emergency service,
- A need of assistance to continue education.
Our purpose is to recognize, encourage and support young adults who are actively involved in the welfare of their community and throughout the world. Candidates should show personal qualities of leadership, citizenship, compassion and demonstrate "Service Above Self".
These Awards are payable directly to the student once he or she has enrolled in post secondary education.
Students must submit their application forms by April 15, of the graduating year.
Please print off The Rotary Club of Steveston Award application form if you wish to apply for one of our awards. (PDF file, 265 KB)
Bursaries
Every year, we provide bursaries in conjunction with our Jimmy Ng Tournament partners the RCMP, Steveston Harbour Authority and Richmond Review, the bursaries supports training in policing, fire rescue, ambulance, coast guard or other emergency or medical services.
Literacy
We collect used books being discarded from the local school system each spring as well as the Richmond Library used book sales. These books are diverted from waste and distributed to the libraries at local senior living centres or sent overseas to establish schools and libraries. examples »
We have also purchased dictionaries for all grade 4 students in southwest Richmond.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
RYLA is an intensive training seminar retreat for community youth chosen for their leadership potential. The seminars occur during spring break or August and are open to 16–25 year olds. District 5040 RYLA »
The Rotary Club of Steveston will sponsor 4 local youth to the RYLA South at Camp Jubilee during Spring Break. This camp experience emphasizes leadership, citizenship and personal growth, and students at this camp are typically in the 16 to 18 age group. Preference will be given to those active in local community service who would benefit from additional training.
Rotary Youth Exchange
Rotary Youth Exchange takes outstanding 16–18 year olds on year long exchanges worldwide so they can experience the accomplishments and challenges of other countries and cultures, and act as ambassadors of their home country while abroad, and share their experiences when they return home. District 5040 Youth Exchange »
Many Rotary Youth Exchange students pass through Richmond enroute and The Rotary Club of Steveston ensure their impression of British Columbia includes Richmond.
Short Term Exchange Program (STEP)
STEP is a reciprocal Family to Family short-term youth exchange program. The program is for bright, adaptable, friendly, well spoken young people between the ages of 15 to 19 years and is open to Rotarian families and families recommended by Rotary Clubs. District 5040 STEP »
Group Study Exchange (GSE) and Rotary Friendship Exchange
GSE is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women age 25 and 40 in the early years of their professional life. The program provides travel grants for teams of young participants to exchange visits between paired areas in different countries for a month of travel studying the host country's institutions, vocations, and ways of life. more info »
Many Group Study Exchanges pass through Richmond enroute and The Rotary Club of Steveston ensure their impression of British Columbia includes Richmond.
The GSE program has concluded in Future Vision District 5040. A similar "Rotary Friendship Exchange" appears to be its successor.
Rotaract
Rotaract Clubs are for young adults aged 18–30 to meet peers and perform community service, much like younger versions of Rotary Clubs. Rotaract Clubs are sponsored by a Rotary Club. The local Rotaract Club of Richmond is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Richmond. When requested our Steveston club supports their efforts, and they volunteer on some of our projects. Richmond Rotaract » and District 5040 Rotoract
Interact
Interact is a self-governing service group for youth ages 14–18. Clubs benefit from sponsorship by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance. Interact's name is a combination of the words International and Action. With clubs in over 120 countries and geographical areas, Interact is truly an international phenomenon.
The Rotary Club of Steveston is proud to sponsor the "McMath Interact Club". The Rotary Interact Committee, faculty advisors from McMath Secondary School in Steveston, and a group of their dynamic students from grades 10–12 are working together on community and international projects.
Interact members are often among the four youth The Rotary Club of Steveston annually sponsors to the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) at Camp Jubilee during Spring Break.
One McMath Interact member will also be selected and sponsored to take part in the Rotary Adventure in Citizenship Program in Ottawa May 3–6th. This is a program designed to develop potential as a leader in one's community and in Canadian society.
Youth active in Interact programs such as the "McMath Interact Club" also develop skills and experience that match well with the criteria that The Rotary Club of Steveston supports with its annual awards and bursaries.