RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment)

Since 2006 I have had the opportunity to be a guest presenter at Rotary's annual RYPEN seminar.  This year the seminar was held on Tasmania's East Coast and co-ordinated for the first time by the Rotary Club of Spring Bay.

The theme this year was "Your Future Your Choice" and included guest speakers Stuart Clues and Chris Edwards as well as mentors such as Julie Kent. 

Over the course ofthe weekend RYPEN aimed to deliver the following outcomes for the participants:

- Increase motivation and improve life skills
- Improve self esteem and self confidence
- Provide an understanding and awareness ofthe importance of setting goals
- Improve confidence in overcoming fear of failure and take control of their future

My presentation focused on the importance of goal setting and how "stretch' goal setting helped me to stay focused, committed and motivated - especially when things weren't going to plan!   During the presentation I asked participants to identify their own goal statement for this year and to choose how they were going to celebrate their milestones once achieved.  To help create a committment to their goal, the participants were asked to write down their goal statement and hand them to the Rotary Club to look after until the end of the year.   At the end of the school year, the Rotary Club will send the statements to the participants to check how they went.

This year the Rotary Club will be conducting follow ups and provide support and mentoring for the participants with the aim of helping the students put into practice what they have learn over the weekend.

Well done to Spring Bay Rotary for another successful RYPEN seminar!