Hosted by District Ethics Initiative Chair Bob Shumaker and event co-chair Mike Gotzler 180 students from 20 schools braved the arctic cold Friday morning, February 5th. Madison Rotary Club volunteers were as excited as the students to share and explore the R-O-T-A-R-Y framework for ethical decision-making.

The young leaders came from small schools, large schools, public schools, private schools, schools who have participated in the past and schools for which this was a new experience. The excitement, and not a small amount of anxiety filled the welcome sessions. High energy keynote group, the First Wave Touring Ensemble, vividly demonstrated realistic challenges and complexities facing all of our youngsters. The tone of the morning was set, the framework for decision-making explained. Participants streamed from the ballroom to their assigned breakout rooms. Students were deliberately scattered so they could meet and think with peers they didn’t know. Keep reading to hear how these leaders stretched their minds.

While the young men and women stretched their minds and skills Bob and Mike gathered their teachers, counselors, and chaperones. In a separate room sitting in a large circle, they too connected and learned. First-timers shared openly with Symposium veterans. Hearing of the profound impact shared by those with prior experience encouraged new teachers to be open to the transformation their students would soon experience.

Three ethical dilemmas challenged the sampling of young leaders to think through reactions, opinions, instincts.  At lunch they were invited to share surprises, what they liked, and what they learned. In their own words:

  • It was easy to talk in my group, not intimidating.

  • I like the different opinions.

  • Situations were real.

  • I started with my gut choice then began to look at other opinions.

  • People got engaged and changed opinions.

  • Can have feisty conversations and still be civil, not boring.

  • People got to see themselves in different ways.

  • Learned about how other schools are different, and we can all agree to disagree and still get along.

  • I learned about myself, how to slow down, stop and think about a situation and talk with others.

  • Opened my mind to think about community and people collectively not just the individual.

  • Everything has the potential to be our responsibility.

  • Our generation can come together, and that’s amazing.

In this 21st year of the Symposium sixty Madison Rotary Club members volunteered their Friday to share the power of ethics with our future leaders. It was a privilege and a thrill over the course of a morning to watch, listen, and hear these teens transform and connect - truly the power of Rotary in Action.