Vocational Service Committee

The Vocational Service Committee provides services to members of the Club and the broader community in six (6) key areas. Readers will note a strong emphasis on providing educational opportunities and growth for our youth.

1. STRIVE Program, A scholarship program introduced by the Rotary Club of Summerside provides  local high school students facing challenges outside the classroom – be it personal tragedy, health related issues or other unfortunate circumstances – the opportunity for a $1,000 scholarship to further their education.  “STRIVE” (Students Taking A Renewed Interest in the Value of Education) was introduced to reward behavioral and scholastic improvement for students at Three Oaks Senior High School. Many scholarships are designed to award those with top scholastic marks. The students we focus on for this program are those who may be struggling in life due to medical reasons or perhaps they have faced significant personal or family issues. The selection process begins in January. There are monthly meetings where Rotarians act as mentors with the students.  In June, Rotary provides five $1000 scholarships to the successful participants.

2.   Adventure in Citizenship, a program hosted by the Rotary Club of Ottawa, is sponsored by our Club through having one high school student annually participate in this program at the expense of the local club. Each year, in April, over 200 youth from across Canada attend a four-day program in Canada's Capital. Activities are designed to promote a better understanding of Canada, its diversity, and the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship. Student representatives participate in a number of tours and activities within the Ottawa region and also have the opportunity to meet the Speaker as well as House of Commons staff and former members of Parliament. National issues are discussed and debated as well as witnessing and participating in a citizenship ceremony for new Canadians. This opportunity is advertised through the five high schools in our area each year in January with one student selected (by early March) from among the various applicants.

3. Rotary Scholarship - each year, the Club provides a five hundred dollar ($500.00) scholarship to a graduating student of two of the local high schools. Eligible students must have completed high school despite a mental or physical disability and be continuing their studies at an accredited post secondary institution. Such applications are enhanced by a detailed description of any volunteer involvement of the individual in school or community groups.

4. Rotary Read-A-Long Program - the Summerside Rotary Club is  pleased to support literacy among youth through providing reading materials to all elementary schools in its geographic area. Each year, the Club provides books to 14 schools in the Western School Board and two schools in the French School Board. Rotarians volunteer to visit the schools, read stories to a class of students, and then leave reading materials at the school for continued use by the staff and students.

5. Youth Parliament - at the high school level, students involved in this program are suppported by Rotarians as they prepare for provincial competitions. Students, with the support and guidance of a staff leader/coach, learn about their political structure and system and come together at the Province's Legislative Assembly for an annual finale of lively debate and good-natured fellowship.

6. Rotary Float - in conjunction with other Island Rotary Clubs, a float is maintained for use in various parades and community events around PEI. The float, together with the Rotarians who volunteer to participate in these events, serves to highlight and publicize the Rotary Club as a valued, recognized member of the community.

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Through these six activities and a number of other ad hoc events that may arise from time to time, the Rotary Club of Summerside supports and serves our community through many forms of vocational service. Common to all initiatives is the goal of making our community and our world a better place to live for all citizens.