LIFE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE MOVES TO FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY JUNE 15-18
The Rotary District 6290 Life Leadership Conference (LLC) now has a new home at Ferris State University. After the closure of Camp Kettunen near Tustin, the LLC District Committee has been searching for a new venue that is located properly for the District and has the services needed to run this signature youth program for District 6290. Both the LLC District Committee and the District Board of Directors have expressed their support for this new move.
First organized in 1949 by Muskegon Rotarians Stub Bemer and Chase Hammond, the Rotary Life Leadership Conference has now moved locations five times and impacted over 6,900 youth leaders in its 73 year history. Many conferees have gone on to leadership roles in Interact, Rotaract, Rotary, and in their work and community endeavors. LLC alumni have shared with us repeatedly how this conference impacted and helped to shape them at an important time in their lives.
The mission of LLC is “to educate and inspire youth, utilizing the Rotary motto of Service Above Self, to expand their leadership roles in service to their schools and communities, and to the world.”
LLC took place virtually in May 2021 and attracted 111 students from 24 District clubs. In June 2022, LLC hopes to attract 150 student leaders from our District from more clubs, to include Rotary Youth Exchange inbounds and outbounds, for an in-person conference at Ferris State University.
Ferris State University provides a central location, strong safety, and Covid protocols, excellent meeting spaces, exceptional food service, and a University atmosphere that will support the LLC mission and curriculum. Students will be housed in dorms with two to a room unless Covid protocols change in the future.
A veteran conference staff of 15 will provide all necessary supervision with room for 150 or more conferees. Many physical activities, games, and events will be planned using campus facilities to bring young people together in constructive and healthy ways.
Rotary Youth Protection measures are in full effect for all clubs in both recruiting and transporting youth prior to the conference, as well as with the Life Leadership staff throughout the conference.
All District 6290 Rotary Clubs are encouraged to budget $375 per scholarship offered and to begin the selection process soon. Candidates should be interviewed by the sponsoring Rotary Club prior to selection and multiple conferees may be sponsored. We encourage diversity and inclusion in the selection process and look forward to accepting applications in January.
The main recruiting priority is for current sophomore or junior student leaders with a heart for service who are hungry to learn more, although all secondary students are welcome. We encourage clubs to sponsor Rotary Interactors, when possible, to assist them with training to effectively lead their Interact clubs in the future. Youth Exchange inbounds and outbounds are also encouraged to participate to make LLC more of a Rotary international experience.
The deadline for LLC applications will be May 1, 2022, and applications will be available online in January at www.https://ridistrict6290.org. A promotional flyer will be soon be sent to all LLC Chairs and Club presidents to assist with promotion and recruiting. For further information, please contact District 6290 LLC Chair, John Noling, at johnnoling65@gmail.com or call 231-670-3740.