Rotary Leadership Institute

Rio Grande Academy

District 5520

The Rio Grande Academy (RGA) is the District 5520 part of The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI). The purpose of RLI is to provide an educational opportunity for Rotarians identified as potential leaders. Specifically, RLI seeks to have Rotary clubs in its member districts identify those Rotarians who appear to have the potential for future club leadership (not necessarily as club presidents) and provide those so identified with a quality education in Rotary knowledge and leadership skills so important in voluntary organizations. The program was founded by South Florida Rotarians in 1992. Today 33 Rotary districts in North America now use the program. District 5520 joined the initiative in the spring of 2011. Club presidents will be asked to nominate club members to participate in the program. A series of courses will be provided by District 5520 each year. These courses are designed to foster Rotary knowledge and understanding while also helping participants develop leadership skills that will serve them in their club, district and beyond.

What are the courses?

The Rotary Leadership Institute offers courses in three full-day sessions, with each session approximately 6 – 8 weeks apart. Some examples of course sessions include “The Perfect Meeting,” "Rotary Beyond the Club,” "The Rotary Foundation," "Membership Development and Retention," "Leadership," "Creating Hands on Service Projects,” Vocational Service," "International Service," "Public Relations," "Public Speaking," and others.

Where will the courses be held?

Six RLI training teams have been established because our district is so widespread. There are training teams covering the Central, North, East, and South district geographic areas, as well as two teams for the southeast – one for Southeast New Mexico and one for West Texas, excluding El Paso. The object of so many training areas is to allow all attendees to travel to and from the training site in a single day. Each training team will schedule courses in their area, but club members from other areas of the district will be welcome to attend. The actual location of the training sites will be publicized on the district website in advance of the raining date

Who will be doing the training?

Over 30 Rotarians from our district were formally certified as RLI facilitators during a full-day training session conducted by a member of the national Rotary Leadership Institute in Albuquerque on June 11, 2011. All have had leadership experience at the club level, and many have held leadership positions in the district.

Who should be selected to attend?

Clubs should nominate those members who appear to have the potential for club leadership in the next three to four years. Nominees should have a strong interest in Rotary and be ready to learn about the larger world of Rotary. Clubs are encouraged to nominate one or two members each year and support the nominees in completing the three-part course.

What is the cost?

The course fee is $35 per registrant for each course session - $105 for all three sessions. There is a $10 additional fee if payment is not made prior to the event date. Nominees will receive their meals (breakfast and lunch), and binders containing a wide variety of training materials. The fees also pay for the meeting space, audio-visual equipment, promotional and other expenses. RLI recommends that clubs budget for and fund the training for their members – two to four per year, depending on club size.

Why should our club participate?

If your club cares about its future it will want the best leadership possible. This is an outstanding opportunity for each club to improve the Rotary knowledge of its key people. These courses also expose participants to successful new ideas on leadership. The exchange of ideas with other experienced Rotarians alone makes the courses worthwhile.

Where can I learn more?

Click Here for Area Teams and Clubs