About Rotary - Rotary Programs

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Rotary International's programs are designed to meet the needs of their own communities, and those of other communities worldwide.

Below is a brief description of some of RIs programs.

Interact Club is a service club organized and sponsored by local Rotary Clubs for young men and women ages 14-18 (High School). By mentoring young adults Rotarians are helping to develop leaders of tomorrow and modeling a life of service to others. Interact has more than 10,900 clubs in 121 different countries that are helping to mold lives of "Service above self".  Rotary club of Asheville sponsors an Interact club at Asheville High School.

Rotaract Club is a service organized by Rotary Clubs to promote leadership, professional development, and service among young adults ages 18-30 (College and early career). Rotaract takes up where Interact ends and helps create the transition into a young person's career. There are more than 7,000 Rotaract Clubs in 162 countries.

Rotary Community Corps (RCC) are groups of non-Rotarians who work to improve their communities. Although they do not belong to a Rotary club these volunteers share a common goal and vision for a better community and a better world.  Under the guidance and support of a local Rotary club, RCC members put their skills and passion to work to improve the quality of life within their communities.

Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) is a program designed to encourage Rotarians and their families to make reciprocal visits to other countries, staying in each other's homes and learning firsthand about each other's cultures, customs, and values.  RFE advances international understanding and peace one family at a time through personal contact, while building inter-club relationships that can lead to fellowship and cooperative service projects.

In October, 2009 Rotary Club of Asheville hosted a Rotary Friendship Exchange from one of Asheville's sister cities - Saumur, France.

Rotary Volunteers allows Rotarians and their families to offer their skills, service, and experience to both local and international humanitarian projects.

Rotary Youth Exchange is Rotary's student exchange program. RYE offers students from ages 15 - 19 the chance to travel abroad for cultural and educational exchange opportunities. The time can be from one week to a full academic year (most common).  Rotary clubs and districts sponsor and host about 9,000 youth exchange students every year. RYE students become ambassadors from their sponsoring countries, teaching their host countries about their country, culture, ideas, and ideals. RYE helps bring the world together.  Rotary club of Asheville has sponsored many local students to countries around the world and hosted many students from other countries around the world.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) are seminars sponsored by Rotary clubs and districts to encourage and recognize the leadership abilities and skills of young men and women ages 14 - 30. Most clubs, however, tend to focus on youth aged 14 - 18 for RYLA. In addition to recognizing those who have demonstrated their leadership within the community, RYLA provides training seminars designed to further enhance leadership skills and effectiveness.