President's Messages
Sep. 2005
國際扶輪社長施當恆
社長文告
九月
親愛的扶輪社友：
Dear fellow Rotarians,
9月是新世代月。我們也可以把9月稱之為「我們的未來月」，因為投資青少年便是我們的未來。我們可以引以為傲的是我們的青少年計畫幾乎涵蓋每個年齡層，而且都有扶輪社員擔任積極主動、關懷的輔導角色。
September is New Generations Month. We could just as well call September “the month of our future” because investing in our youth is our future. We can take pride in the fact that we have youth programs for just about every age group with Rotarians serving as active, caring sponsors.
我們與青少年的接觸始於扶輪少年服務團（Interact），一個針對14-18歲學生的計畫。扶輪少年服務團可以以社區或學校為基地。學校並不會整個「接手」，而是和輔導扶輪社密切合作來舉行例會與推動計畫。扶少團支持的許多目標都與扶輪社相同。舉例來說，扶少團團員曾協助為海嘯災民募款、為貧窮兒童舉辦郊遊、到開發中國家整修房子。
One of our first contacts with youth begins with Interact, a program for students ages 14-18. Interact clubs can be based in the community or in schools. The school does not “take over” entirely, but works closely with the sponsoring Rotary club to implement meetings and projects. Interact clubs support many of the same causes that Rotary clubs do. For example, Interactors have helped raise funds for tsunami victims, organize outings for poor children, and renovate homes in developing countries.
扶少團之後很自然的下一步便是扶輪青年服務團（Rotaract），一個針對18-30歲學生的服務社團。就像扶少團一樣，扶青團團員的集會地點可以是社區機構或學校──通常是學院或大學。扶青團能夠推行目標更遠大的計畫，運作方式也更為獨立。除了服務之外，扶青團也著重專業技能的培養、演講、以及生涯規劃。
有一個令人關心的問題是在團員年滿30歲後便可能是一個「退出」點。如果扶輪社多半是較年長的社員，輔導扶輪社便應多多邀請較年輕的社員加入，以維持該社的活力與流動性。扶青團團員乃是通往扶輪的連接橋樑，因為他們瞭解扶輪的價值觀，並經常協助參與聯合計畫。
Interact serves as a natural lead-in to Rotaract, a service club for students ages 18-30. Like Interact, Rotaractors can meet either at a community establishment or at a school, usually a college or university. Rotaract clubs are able to take on more ambitious projects and work more independently. In addition to their service agenda, Rotaract clubs also focus on professional development, public speaking, and career development. One concern is that there can be a “drop off” point after members turn 30. If a club has primarily older members, the sponsor Rotary club should encourage the invitation of younger members to maintain the club’s vitality and flow. Rotaractors are a connecting bridge to Rotary because they understand Rotary values and often help participate in joint projects.
雖然扶少團與扶青團有助於培養領導技能，但是還有另外一個專門為此目的而設立的計畫──扶輪青少年領袖獎（RYLA）。這項領導訓練會乃是我們的第三波年輕人計畫。扶輪青少年領袖獎通常是以營隊的方式來進行，由多個地區共同舉辦。這讓整個區域的扶輪社員與年輕人得以見面交流想法。扶輪社員負責主辦訓練會，並在其中穿插休閒與文化活動。
While Interact and Rotaract help to develop leadership skills, there is another program devoted exclusively to this purpose: Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (better known as RYLA). This training seminar is the third flower in our bouquet of youth programs. RYLA usually operates as a camp and is sponsored by multiple districts. This allows Rotarians and young people from all over the region to meet and exchange ideas. Rotarians run the seminars and incorporate recreational and cultural activities.
也許所有青少年計畫最受歡迎的是青少年交換（Youth Exchange），讓15-19歲的學生寄住在國外的接待家庭，體驗另一種生活方式。學生通常要融入一個新的語言、新的宗教、新的政治制度、新的貨幣、新的傳統。可是最重要的一點，他／她將可在地主國結交朋友，培養一個將會持續永遠的友誼。青少年交換學生將可學會以和平而非戰爭的方式來化解差異。要為國際瞭解與和平建立基礎莫過於此，因為這是從某人的家裡開始做起。
Perhaps the most popular program of all is Youth Exchange, which allows students ages 15-19 to experience another way of life by living abroad with a host family. He or she is often immersed in a new language, new religion, new political system, new currency, and new traditions. But most important, he or she will find friends in the host country and create a friendship that will last forever. Youth Exchange students will learn to resolve differences peaceably, not through war. You could not build a better foundation for understanding and peace, because it begins at someone’s home.
扶輪少年服務團、扶輪青年服務團、青少年交換、扶輪青少年領袖獎都是以由青少年自己增進個人成長與領導技能的目標為基礎。簡單來說，這些計畫可以建立人格。這些計畫也是未來扶輪社員一個絕佳的來源，因為參加者對國際扶輪的理想都已經有相當程度的瞭解。
Interact, Rotaract, Youth Exchange, and RYLA all build upon the goals of personal growth and leadership of youth by youth. In short, these programs build character. They also represent a wonderful source of future Rotarians, already acquainted with the ideals of Rotary International.
古老的扶輪口號「每位扶輪社員都是青少年的模範」（Every Rotarian an Example to Youth）在今天和50多年前一樣適用。扶輪社員可以協助年輕人發揮他們的全部潛力。我們可以將我們的座右銘「超我服務」灌輸在年輕人身上──並讓它繼續成為引導扶輪走過下一個世紀的指南。
The old Rotary slogan “Every Rotarian an Example to Youth” is as relevant today as it was more than a half-century ago. Rotarians can help young people reach their full potential. We can instill our motto of Service Above Self at a young age – and let it continue to guide Rotary through the next century.
國際扶輪社長
施當恆
Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar
President, Rotary Internationa
