The Sonora Sunrise Rotary Club’s programs for New Generations include the following:

• Scholarships - Our club offers $500 scholarships each year to four (4) high school seniors who have demonstrated community volunteer interest and an understanding of the 4-Way Test and application to their life. We also offer $500 scholarships each year to two (2) high school seniors (one each from Summerville and Sonora high schools) who have achieved the most remarkable academic turn around between their freshman and senior years.
• Children’s Christmas Party - Our club participates in this county-wide service for needy children invited by the Tuolumne County Human Services Agency. Club members set up a game booth or two, provide prizes, run the booth and assist as needed. A photo of the 2005 event is shown to the right.
• Sober Graduation - Our club donates $250 to Sonora High School and $250 to Summerville High School for their Sober Graduation parties. A very high percentage of graduates participate in the events.
• Special Olympics BBQ - In April, our club purchases lunch “fixings” and club members provide BBQ’s, and cook lunch for disabled youths participating in the Special Olympics.
• RYLA/Camp Royale - A club selection committee selects a male and a female student from Sonora High School to participate in RYLA/Camp Royale’s Leadership Camp. The selection is based on an appraisal of qualifications, and members provide transportation and, upon their return, schedule the students to speak to our club about their experiences.
• Speech Contest - Our club participates with the Sonora 49er and Sonora Rotary Clubs to organize a speech contest for Sonora High School students. The contestants present a five minute speech on a topic chosen by the District Governor. Club members evaluate the students and select contest winners for cash prizes and a chance to participate for additional cash awards in the area and district contests. The student is invited to make their speech (a good practice session) to the entire club where the club award is given.
• Sports Team Sponsorships - Our club donates $750 that is split between a boys and a girl’s sports team. The club also provides a “tailgate party” for the kids and their parents during one of the games.
• World Affairs Seminar - A club selection committee solicits applications and selects a junior from Sonora High School to attend the World Affairs Seminar at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. This seminar exposes the student to other students from the across the nation and around the world as they hear speakers introduce issues and then discuss world-wide issues in small discussion groups. It is hoped that these future leaders can gain understandings and resolve problems peacefully in the future. The club pays approximately $500 for tuition, travel, and lodging. The student is scheduled to make a presentation to the entire club after attendance. Club member Gregory Oliver chairs this activity.
• Rotary Readers – Our club coordinates a morning of reading several times per month at Sonora Elementary School. Club members sign up for a time and read to the children in selected classes. The club also donates $250 to the school library for books. The librarian attends a meeting of the club and shares a sampling of the books and demonstrates the name plate in each book acknowledging the donation by the club.
• Worlds of Wonder Bookmobile – Our club donated $5,000.00 towards the Tuolumne County Worlds of Wonder Bookmobile. The Bookmobile will bring books into areas of Tuolumne County that does not currently have a library branch located in their community. The Bookmobile will also have satellite internet connections that will allow users to access the internet. This project was sponsored by the Sonora 49er Rotary Club.
• Youth Exchange With the Rotary Club of Ballarat, Australia – Our club sends one young person to Ballarat, Australia each summer to spend a month or so with our sister club, the Rotary Club of Ballarat. A committee of club officers pick the young person who is going to go to Ballarat. While in Ballarat, our exchange person stays with the families of Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Ballarat. In December each year, the Rotary Club of Ballarat sends on young person to our area to stay with the families of Rotarians of our club. The club pays for the transportation to and from Ballarat.