Rotary Service Above Self (SAS) All-Stars Program
The goal of the Rotary SAS All-Stars program is to put high potential teenagers through a series of experiences that will help educate them on the value of service, change their perspectives on how they view their role in the community, and ignite a passion within them to become a more active volunteer.
The 2009 Argos season was the program’s inaugural year, and the Rotary SAS All-Stars kicked off with a bang. Over 300 students from 18 Rotary Clubs across Ontario participated.
The youth completed a survey prior to arriving at the Rogers Centre to gauge their current opinions on the three elements of the program – character, excellence, and service. The same survey was administered after the game day experience to measure how their opinions differed. The questions on service provided the most insight regarding participant’s opinions.
Forty-three percent of participants believed they should volunteer more but felt time constraints, lack of opportunities and the inability to find opportunities limit them from volunteering. Rotarians that accompanied students were each given an exit survey to rate the effectiveness of the program. A staggering 100% of the Rotarians believed the Rotary SAS All-Stars program was beneficial to participants and would refer other Rotary Clubs to participate. All are expected to return.
This year our club sponsors 4 students from Jean Vanier Catholic High School in York region and 6 students from A.Y. Jackson Secondary School in Toronto at a cost of $60.00 per student to participate in this program.The actual game date will be October 2, 2010 at 3 p.m.
View Details of Program
Program Sign-up Sheet
Jason Colero of Toronto Argonauts Football Club and one of the Founders Talk about SAS All-Stars Program
Mr. Colero did a talk on how the project SAS All Stars Program came into being. The driving force behind projects like that is the care for the community, the kindness that is lacking among people that he wishes to rekindle. He himself was the benefactor of such care and kindness that he received at the spur of moment that changed his life and the incident when he lost his own cousin who looked up to him at all times. He wanted to do something for his cousin.
When he joined the football club he initiated a charity hockey games participated by football players. The response he received prompted him to believe that was the right way to go. Since then he was getting into more and more community work. By just doing it and wanting to do it for the communities would make a lot of difference. For example, when he was asked to be a mascot to entertain the audience, he made people smile, made the kids laugh, joy was showing on all the faces. He realized that it was not a ridiculous thing for him to do at all to bring joy to people. Instead of doing it for an hour, he went on for three.
He also believes by showing kindness to people it makes a whole lot of difference in people. Today, lots of youths stuck themselves to computers, slipped under headsets listening to music by themselves. There was not sharing, no idea of what servicing the community means. He initiated this program SAS All Stars to get the students to participate in the leadership training camp. The following is what the students will be involved.
- Students have to be recruited first. Students will be nominated.
- Students have to go thru a survey. Students will be surveyed on their insight of their character - how they see themselves, what they would stand for. They will be asked what community services they have performed and what they have learned from it. Then they will have to explain what they interpret community means to them.
- Students will then participate in Coaching session. The students will be coached by member of the Argo team, a Rotarian himself, on excellence, services, and character.
- Work on Playbook. Students will work on their playbook recording what they learn from the game or players, on the field and off the field.
- Do another survey. Students will have to do another survey on what they learn and how they do in the camp.
- Community Service. Students will return home and are encouraged to seek out community services and document their experience.
- .Award Presentation. Students will be recognized and awarded with scholarship at the end of the program.
Peter Wong
