Launch day · October 22, 2026 · ½ Earth Day
Let’s stop chasing young leaders and start growing them.
Dear Fellow Rotarians and Friends,
Today, October 22, we officially launch GrowingGreenLeaders.org. At EarthX we call this date ½ Earth Day, and it is the perfect start for a program born at the Environmental Xperience at EarthX on April 22.
For more than 15 years I have spoken at Rotary President Elect Training Seminars, conferences and conventions, and I can always predict what the keynote speakers will say: “We need to attract younger members.” Every Rotarian reading this knows exactly what I mean.
My answer is simple. Instead of trying to attract young leaders, let’s build them.
That starts with listening. After more than 15 years of Rotary dental missions with students, I have listened a lot, and their passions and concerns keep coming back to the well-being of our species and our planet. We need to reach beyond our Rotary circle and our own age group, listen, and grow. You may be surprised: when you listen, you grow too.
Growing Green Leaders launches today, and our flagship program is the Youth Climate Innovation Challenge, a global competition presented with CNN’s Call to Earth and the Environmental Xperience at EarthX. It is open to young environmental leaders inside and outside the Rotary family. Registration is open through November 15, 2026, or until 30 teams have signed up, whichever comes first. Alongside it, our members are leading real projects that are already working: our new 47817 Global Rotaract Club, Rotary Reefs and The Panama Project, with many more coming soon. For additional information, visit GrowingGreenLeaders.org, and please follow us on social media.
Rotary Reefs: Vermont students take the plunge
One of the best examples of growing green leaders is the Coral Reef Interact Club at Randolph Union High School in Vermont. Seventeen students from a landlocked state are earning their SCUBA certifications and preparing for their third coral restoration expedition to the Exuma Cays, Bahamas, in 2027. Working alongside scientists at the Perry Institute, they will plant critically endangered coral on damaged reefs. These students are raising funds to make the trip happen, and they have the support of Past RI President Barry Rassin. Contact details for supporting them are on RotaryReefs.org.
Showcase your young leaders
Do you know Interact or Rotaract members doing great work? Post their projects at 47817.org and we will promote them across our network of websites.
Let’s stop chasing young leaders and start growing them, together.
Steve Bender
Rotary Club of Newport Beach