Kicks for Kids
Proper fitting sneakers can have a positive impact on the lives of many children’s peer acceptance and overall physical and academic performance. The Rotarians of Naples Bay supports Kicks for Kids with the goal of eliminating the negative experiences children have when wearing worn-out or ill-fitting, off-brand sneakers.
​
From 2017 to November 2020, The Kicks for Kids project has delivered 1,447 pairs of sneakers to needy students through Collier County schools, Boys and Girls Club, and other organizations that support families and children.
​
Join us to share our joy in this humanitarian project that makes a difference in others’ lives.
​
Join the Kicks for Kids Team!
​
Wayne Dahlstrom, Chair
1985
Shoes Delivered
21
Organizations Impacted
4
Years Serving
1.5 Million
Booklets Distributed since 2014
50,000
Booklets Distributed in 2022
67
Florida County Schools
23
States in the US
Constitution for the People
We believe the children are our future. As humanitarians, The Rotary of Naples Bay supports The Constitution for the People, Inc. founded by Joseph L. Cofield, Educator and fellow Rotarian. This project promotes that our youth learn about the United States Constitution and the founding values that shape our country.
​
To achieve this goal, starting in 2014, a U.S. Constitution booklet will be given to every 5th-grade student within the 67 school districts in the State of Florida. Additionally, the Rotary Club of Naples Bay Foundation helped to establish the 1st Annual Rotary Club of Naples Bay Foundation Constitution For The People Golf Ball Drop.
​
Joseph Cofield, Chair
Dictionary Day
Dictionary Day is a celebration of our Collier County 3rd grade students.
​
The Rotary Club of Naples Bay participates in the project with The Rotary Club of Naples. Students in local elementary schools receive their own copy of Webster|s Dictionary from each of the Rotary Clubs.
​
There are 23 elementary schools with 2000+ students that receive a visit from local Rotary Clubs members to hand out 500 dictionaries to each student. For some of the students this is the first book that they actually own. This program has been ongoing for the last 5 years.
​
Tim Miller, Chair
1447
Dictionaries Delivered
20
Schools Impacted
4
Years Serving
Youth Services
Rotary believes in developing the next generation of leaders.
​
Our programs help younger leaders build leadership skills, expand education and learn the value of service.
School Partners
Youth Peace Action (YPA)
Youth & Peace in Action goals are ambitious. In the 2021-22 school year, thousands of young people will have direct access to peace-building skills education and experiences. Students will develop projects of impact. Community members will join students in end-of-year celebrations of learning and results.
​
Ronald Westrom, Chair
35,000
Students Educated
847
Schools Involved
500
Peace Projects
39
Interact Clubs in Our Rotary District
5
Interact Clubs in Collier County
6
Golden Gate HS Interact Students Sponsored for 2021 Leadership Training
Interact Club
Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self. Interact clubs organize at least two projects every year, one that helps their school or community and one that promotes international understanding. Rotary Club and faculty sponsors mentor and guide Interactors as they carry out projects and develop leadership skills.
​
The Benefits
-
Join a Rotary Club for high school students
-
Participate in service projects in local community and also internationally
-
Develop planning, organization, decision-making, leadership, action skills
-
Build strong connection to The Rotary Club of Naples Bay
-
Connect with other Interact Clubs and their projects
-
Learn how to apply the Rotary Four-Way Test
​
Ronald Westrom, Chair
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE)
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) students discover another culture by living in it, learn a new language, and truly become global citizens.
​
The Program
-
Offers an academic year or summer abroad
-
Supports sending students abroad, outbound from our schools
-
Supports hosting students inbound to our schools from abroad
​
Long-Term Exchanges
Last a full academic year, and students attend local schools and live with multiple Rotary-approved host families.
​
Short-Term Exchanges
Last from several days to three months and are often structured as Rotary-approved home-stays, tours, or camps, that take place when school is not in session.
​
Ronald Westrom, Chair
15
Years Old Eligible to Participate
100
Counties Sponsored by Rotary Clubs
20,000+
Volunteers Make Program Possible
5
Students Sponsored in 2022
Seminars for Tomorrow's Leaders (S4TL)
Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders (S4TL) is a powerful leadership training program for inbound high school seniors. It is organized annually by a board of directors of Rotarian senior staff from Districts 6890, 6950 and 6960 in mid-Florida. The program offers residential week-long leadership skills development and summer internships between Junior and Senior years.
​
Ronald Westrom, Chair
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where youth develop their skills as a leader while having fun and making connections.
​
RYLA is for high school students in grades nine and ten. They are recommended by their schools in the Fall/Winter, then some are selected by our Rotary Club for the award. In March those chosen are taken for a long-weekend residential leadership experience at a camp in Lake Placid, Florida.
​
Supervised by Rotarians and student graduates of RYLA and S4TL, they live in a dormitory-type setting, many experiencing their first time away from family. In addition to their leadership training, they learn about Rotary service projects they can participate in, how they are both similar AND different from their peers, skills they didn’t know they had, coping skills they will use for a lifetime, and become familiar with previous graduates of Rotary leadership experiences.
​
Our Rotary Club of Naples Bay develops relationships with counselors, teachers, and administrators at our partner schools. They identify good candidates for RYLA, which we then evaluate. When our Board decides how many students to support each year, we select the students to be given the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards for that year. There is no cost to the student, parent, or school. RCNB funds and transports the students for RYLA.
​
Ronald Westrom, Chair
6
Students Sponsored in 2021
9
Graders Involved
3
Interns Served
18+
Eligible Age
2
Schools Participating
Rotarianship
Our club’s Rotarianship program is designed to deliver professional mentoring to entrepreneurs 18 years of age or older who have started their own business and want to shorten their runway to success by getting advice and hands-on assistance on all facets of their business from professionals who have deep knowledge and experience in their fields. We refer to these entrepreneurs as Roterns because they are interns in Rotary.
​
The advice and assistance can include pricing of products and services, accounting and cash flow management, proper registration and licensing, taxes, marketing, packaging and branding, advertising, networking and selling, operations, and administration.
​
Rotarianship is a partnership between our club members and the Rotern. Expectations are set in week one and monitored throughout the program. In exchange for the mentoring and our Rotary Club awarding the Rotern membership in our club for a year, the Roterns learn about Rotary and our Rotary Foundation which is focused on community service.
​
Each Rotern is expected to join a committee and help with the club’s fundraising projects that support our scholarship and leadership training programs for high school-age students in the public and vocational schools our club has adopted. Roterns play an important role in enhancing the public image of our club and our service to the local community.​
​
Gary Cox, Chair