Greensboro Rotary and District 7690
The Rotary Club of Greensboro is one of the earliest Rotary clubs, founded in January 1917. Our membership includes a broad cross-section of our community and spans a range of ages, backgrounds, interests, and occupations. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.
The Center for Creative Leadership
For more than four decades, the Center has leveraged the power of leadership to transform individuals, teams, entire organizations and societies to achieve what matters most to them — with results that are powerful, measurable, and enduring.
Guilford College
Guilford College, the location of RYLP, is a liberal arts school in Greensboro, North Carolina, providing tomorrow’s leaders with the innovative problem-solving skills, experiences, and global perspectives to actively create change in the world.
Graduate Testimonials
“I participated in the first Rotary Youth Leadership Camp at Guilford College. It was the summer of 1983, and I was a rising, if awkward, junior at Western Guilford High School. That week was transformative for me. In addition to exposing me to emerging leaders at area high schools, it was the first time that I was challenged to consider what my leadership style would be, how I could experiment with alternate leadership styles, and how I could use my developing skills to serve and inspire others. As I reflect back on my leadership experiences since then, I always come back to the touchstones that I first learned during that hot week in June 35 years ago. And I remain grateful to the Rotary Club, the Center for Creative Leadership and Guilford College for providing that experience.”
David B. Fountain, RYLP 1983 Graduate–North Carolina President, Duke Energy
“To say ‘attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Program in the summer of 2011 changed my life’ is at once too much and too little. RYLP itself did not change my life, but the experiences I had after the program because of it did. One’s youth is the time to learn and grow, and learning and growing does not happen in one’s comfort zone. That week I met 50 strangers with whom I was to live, and together we learned about many of the world’s religions, faced our fears physically (Can I handle a high ropes course?) and mentally (Am I ready to lead?), and grew to dread the day we would say goodbye. I had the opportunity to be a part of RYLP for 4 years after that, and invariably I cry on the last day of the program. I know how impactful the experience was for me, and I know as I look at the faces of the 50 delegates who sit before me, they too will be forever changed because of RYLP.”
Brandy Plouff RYLP 2012 Graduate– Director of Education, Junior Achievement of the Triad
Information for High School Students
July 21 – July 27, 2019
Since 1983, Rotary and the Center for Creative Leadership have been hosting some of Central North Carolina’s top rising junior and senior high school students to the Rotary Youth Leadership Program at Guilford College.
World-class leadership skills. Learn about yourself through a variety assessments and real-world interactive sessions. Engage with teams while experiencing different leadership styles.
Meet new friends. Join about fifty top high school leaders from across central North Carolina.
Experience a residential college setting. As you get a glimpse of what college life will be like.
College Counselors guide your experience. Throughout the week you engage with graduates of RYLP in a casual, interactive setting.
2018 Application for High School Attendees. Click the button to complete an application.
RYLP Applications Coming soon for 2019.
Forms for Accepted High School Attendees. The four forms to the right are required to be printed and signed by you and, in places, your parents.
Click on each button, print, and sign.
Information for Counselors
Counselors serve and gain valuable insights as a leadership internship.
Counselor Information
Serving as a counselor at RYLP can be a wonderful experience. There are terms and conditions, and mandatory attendance dates.
Download and complete the Counselor Application by clicking the button below.
Information for Rotarians
In Rotary, it’s Service Above Self. Here are some ways to connect through RYLP.
Rotary Club of Greensboro Volunteer Opportunities
Rotarians, there are two dozen ways for you to serve, connect, and make a difference through RYLP. Sign up for a chance to positively influence a future leader.
- Career Lunch Mentor Direction to Guilford College Community Center
- Throw an Ice Cream Party
- Attend a Pizza Party
Rotary District 7690 Information
Youth Service is Rotary’s “Fifth Avenue of Service.” It recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities such as RYLA, Rotaract and Interact club service projects, and creating international understanding with Rotary Youth Exchange.
District Drop in Opportunities during RYLP
Any Rotarian from District 7690 is welcome to witness RYLP in action at Guilford College. Call the Greensboro Rotary office for more information.
RYLP Leadership Team
RYLP is the work of virtually all volunteer leaders. The 49 clubs of Rotary District 7690 assist with the applications and sponsorship of the high school Delegates. The Rotary Club of Greensboro takes the lead providing much of the volunteers during the camp week. The Center for Creative Leadership delivers the program.
Steven Miller, OD
Lead Rotarian, 2018 Miller Vision Specialties. Dr. Steven Miller is an optometrist and Greensboro native. He attended NC State University and Salus University optometry school, and began his practices at his parents office, Miller Vision Specialties. He also practices a subspecialty of eye care called vision therapy, which helps kids with eye-tracking and vision disorders at the Vision Development Center of Greensboro. Outside of eye-care he enjoys playing golf, hiking, camping, and watching Carolina Panthers and NC State football.
Maddie Lombardo-Space
Center for Creative Leadership® Program Lead 2018
Maddie Lombardo-Space joined the Center for Creative Leadership® in 2016 as part of the newly-formed Societal Advancement group. Now serving in a hybrid role of project manager and program coordinator, Maddie partners with various project teams as support for leadership development programs, designs, and initiatives across the sectors of higher education, nonprofit, K-12, and youth-serving organizations. Her involvement in projects from conception all the way through delivery has allowed Maddie to cultivate a deepening passion for and understanding of the leadership challenges and trends facing social sectors, particularly within higher education and youth-serving organizations.
Patrick Nail
Lead Counselor, 2018, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Winston-Salem State University in May 2016, Patrick now works as an Exceptional Children’s teacher for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools system, in addition to serving as the Sports Coordinator for the Stokes Family YMCA. “Leading others to discover who they are and what drives them is a passion of mine, and I believe that it is through effective leadership that we can inspire those around us and make a lasting, positive difference in the world.”