Youth Advocates
Each Area in Rotary District 7570 should have a Youth Advocate identified by July 1 of the Rotary year. A Youth Advocate’s key responsibility is to assist the Area Governor (AG) with creating a safe and nurturing culture for the young people our clubs work with. They should form a good working relationship with the Club Presidents in their Area. If possible, the Youth Advocate will attend the Youth portion of President Elect Learning Session (PELS), District Team Training (DTTS) and Club Team Training (CTT). They should also attend the AG meetings with the club presidents.
Advocates are identified by the AG as a Rotarian who has been active in youth programs. They are approved by the District Governor-Elect before the year begins. They work closely with the District Youth Services Chair. They are appointed each Rotary year but may serve multiple years in this role.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Help area clubs recruit for RYLA events by communicating directly with Interact clubs and/or Rotary clubs
- Be an active member of the District’s Youth Services committee
- Participate in RYLA
- Create a relationship with club Youth Services chairs in your area
- Help clubs recruit Interact members to attend District Conference by communicating directly with area Interact clubs and/or Rotary clubs
- Support the District by attending the District Conference
- Assist clubs to grow their youth club membership by providing advice, materials, and opportunities to collaborate
- Offer to meet with or present to area Rotary clubs about youth programs, such as starting a new Interact or Early Act club
- Promote the Youth Exchange program to encourage clubs to host inbound students and recruit outbound students
- Ensure that all area members who work directly with young people are properly vetted
- Understand the District’s Youth Protection Policy and be able to explain the importance of it
- Know what is contained in the Gold Club and Club Excellence Award (Rotary Citation) criteria pertaining to youth
- Complete the courses in the RI Learning Center that pertain to Youth Services
- Attend Zoom calls scheduled by the District Youth Services Chair
The Area Youth Advocate (AYA) is a person who cares about the healthy development of youth and young adults in a fun, safe and positive environment. The DYSC works directly with the District Governor, together dedicated to developing high quality District Youth Programs including Interact, Rotaract, Youth Exchange, and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards).
Each Rotary Area will have an AYA that will serve under the District Youth Services Coordinator. The Advocate's primary focus will be promoting and strengthening all the District Youth Programs. The AYA will
- Understand basics of the Rotary Youth Programs
- Promote Rotary Youth Programs to Area Clubs
- Assist Area Clubs to participate in Rotary Youth Programs
- Help develop Rotary Youth Program participation as requested. For example, if participants in one program desire to start a related program, be available as needed. In particular, assist RYLA participants begin Interact Programs in their sponsoring schools, coordinating with the sponsoring Rotary Clubs
- Increase the Public Image of Rotary Youth Programs via social media
- Know, promote and follow the District Youth Protection Policy.
 | Julia Marie Kogut Northern Shenandoah Valley Area 1 Youth Advocate Contact |
 | Fred Hoffman Roanoke Valley (Roanoke) Member Contact |
 | Randall J. McDaniel Danville-Riverview Member Contact |
 | Thomas Andrew Matherly Waynesboro Member Contact |
 | Danny S. Gaby Greeneville Member Contact |
 | Louis Sanchez Harrisonburg-Massanutten Area 3 Youth Advocate Contact |
 | Laura Pynn Floyd County Area 9 Youth Advocate Contact |
 | Mark B. Fenyk Marion Youth - Youth Protection District Chair Contact |
 | Kayla Payne Skyline Connections Youth - Interact Chair Contact |
 | Michael Sean Williams Warren County Youth - Youth Service Coordinator Contact |