By Ryan Hyland Rotary International News -- 28
April 2010
A representative makes a point on a resolution during
the opening day of the Council 26 April. On Wednesday,
the Council approved adding a fifth Avenue of Service.
Rotary Images/Monika Lozinska-Lee
Representatives at the
2010 Council on Legislation approved
an enactment 28 April to add a fifth Avenue of Service: New
Generations. The 2013 COL changed this to "Youth Service."
After adopting an amendment to change the name from Youth
Service, as originally proposed, to New Generations, the Council
narrowly supported the addition to article 5 of the Standard
Rotary Club Constitution. The 263-250 vote was received by
surprised gasps and applause after a short debate.
New Generations (Youth Service) joins Club Service, Vocational Service,
Community Service, and International Service as the foundation
of club activity. Before starting a project, Rotarians are asked
to think broadly about how their club and its members could
contribute within each avenue.
“It’s a significant change – a historic day in Rotary,” said
Council Chair Mark Daniel Maloney. “Rotarians have always
strongly supported youth activities even though they were never
part of the four Avenues of Service. I think this strengthens
our commitment.”
The Avenue of New Generations recognizes the positive change
implemented by youth and young adults involved in leadership
development activities, community and international service
projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world
peace and cultural understanding.
Representative
Ronald P.
Sekkel, of District 5170 (California, USA),
proposed the enactment by saying that New Generations is the
future of Rotary.
Opponents argued that youth services are already covered by
the four Avenues of Service. One representative said that adding
a fifth avenue could decrease emphasis on the other four
avenues.
Representative Emile M. Rijcken, of District 1900 (Germany),
said the new avenue is well deserved.
“The volume of activity in youth programs shows how strong
Rotary can be,” she said. “The addition of New Generations to
the Avenues of Service will contribute in an enormous way toward
public opinion.”
History of the new avenue,
featuring members of RGHF The 2013 COL
changed this to "Youth Committee."
(TY Mr. Chairman)
Ron Sekkel-District
5170-I’ll be speaking English On the Proposed Enactment 10-87
To add a fifth Avenue of Service: Youth Service (Amended to New
Generation Service)
Building
Communities and Bridging Continents… is in there.
The
advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace
… is in there
Rotarians have excelled in implementing the
concepts in the “Object of Rotary”… That’s what we do
We’ve focused on vaccinating the world’s youth.
A
Rotarian in this room even convinced warring factions in Sri
Lanka to cease fire long enough for Days of Tranquility to
vaccinate youth against polio.
With our clubs located in
so much of the world, Rotary could focus on providing leadership
development activities, involvement in community & international
service projects, & exchange programs, for much of the world’s
Youth.
We have RYLA, Youth Exchange, Interact, Rotary
Peace Communities, and more. Elevating Rotary’s Service for
Youth (amended to "New Generation") to be an Avenue of Service is not only important for the
additional focus on service …but for the increase in potential
strength and support of Rotary Clubs that comes from knowing our
additional emphasis on youth.
Why Youth? …The youth may
be the key to attaining future Peace, Goodwill, and
understanding whether internationally or locally.
We
invest and hope to affect future Peace with our peace centers.
An investment of Service in youth will yield benefits
for more years than any other service.
Of Course as
Rotarians we desire, to care for and to serve all humankind …
from young to old, near & far.
Yet, as statespersons and
citizens of the world devoted to Service Above Self … we should
elevate our focus of service … and in many cases we have … to
those who can carry peace into the future….for many, many years…
the youth…our hope…. for Peace, Goodwill, and Understanding.
(debate) (Amendment passes to change Youth to New
Generations)
(Closing Comments) It’s a small world.
The rest of the world starts at our front door…for all of
us…Around the block or around the world, youth are the future of
this planet…Please vote for Youth Service to be our 5th Avenue
of Service!! (Amendment passes to change Youth to New
Generations)
Comments from RGHF former
board member PDG Ron Sekkel
The world should know that any Rotarian, in any club, has the
power to change Rotary.
The
process started with Rotarian Lee Denlinger, formerly of the
Rotary Club of Pleasanton North, proposing to have the club
recommend this piece of legislation to our district. We then had
a mail in ballot to vote on 4 different pieces of legislation.
This piece of legislation and 2 others were approved to be sent
to the Council on Legislation by our District (5170).
The rest is the history you know.
Lee
is the current President of the Fremont-Union City-Newark Sunset
Club and advisor to our District's Youth Service Chair.
Representative
The
process started with Rotarian Lee Denlinger, formerly of the
Rotary Club of Pleasanton North, proposing to have the club
recommend this piece of legislation to our district. We then had
a mail in ballot to vote on 4 different pieces of legislation.
This piece of legislation and 2 others were approved to be sent
to the Council on Legislation by our District (5170). 