Do you know what I like best about March in Wisconsin? You can smell April just around the corner. 😊
March marks the anniversary of the very first Rotaract (Rotaract = Rotary in Action) club, which was chartered in 1968. For 53 years, Rotaractors from around the world have been opening opportunities in their communities.
The world has seen many profound changes over these 53 years, and young people have felt the greatest impact of those changes: the rise of technology and the information economy, the spread of education, and the tremendous influence of the internet. When Rotaract was founded, it would have been almost unthinkable for a teen or 20-something to have been an entrepreneur or a CEO. Today, young people have an unprecedented capacity to achieve – and Rotary needs their ideas and enthusiasm as never before.
While talking to Rotarians in our traditional clubs, Rotaract is one of the most mystifying items. That’s understandable… there have been quite a few changes starting in 2020! A Rotaract club is an organization of young adults who take action through community and international service, learn leadership skills, and participate in professional development. Rotaract is a membership type, and this membership type often meet as a club. Rotaract Clubs can be formed anywhere and by anyone – gone are the days when they only could be attached to a University or be held in a University setting. Now they can be formed in a community or university environment. They are able to form with or without a sponsor Rotary club – they can even choose to be sponsored by another Rotaract club! All members have to be at least 18 years old, but there is no upper age limit. Each Rotaract Club can determine themselves if they wish to have an upper age limit. If an upper age limit helps the Rotaract Club build a successful club, then the club has the freedom to set that limit within their club bylaws.
Rotaractors are not Rotarians in the sense that they have a Rotary ID number. Beginning on July 1, 2022, they will have an annual dues of $5 per member for University-based clubs and $8 per member for community based clubs. Also starting with the Rotary year 2022-2023, Rotaract clubs will be allowed to be either international or host sponsors of global grants, if they have previously partnered with a Rotary club on a global grant. Rotaractors can hold district leadership positions, and can serve on any Rotary committee.
Today, there is an estimated 250,000 Rotaractors who serve in over 10,000 clubs, in nearly every country where Rotary clubs exist. The impact of their service is particularly impressive when contrasted with their resources. Rotaractors achieve an amazing amount with far less money at their disposal than the average Rotary club. Their energy and vision bring something wonderful to our Rotary family and to our communities!
Things are happening in our district with Rotaract. We currently have two Rotaract Clubs (UW Madison and UW Platteville). Both clubs are working hard to swell their ranks, and talks are happening around the district to create new clubs. I encourage all of you to embrace our Rotaractors – invite them to partner on your projects, and be open to partnering with their projects. Reach out Rotaract clubs to ask not only if you can help, but to find out how you can work together.
Starting in 2021, our district will welcome Alexis Hoffman as our Rotaract Assistant Governor. If you would like more specific information on Rotaract, reach out to our Rotaract District Chair Justin Burnett at justin.burnett@nordicwi.com.
For over half a century, Rotaract has given young people a way to find the same connections with their communities, and the same value of service, that Rotarians find in Rotary. Rotaractors are connecting us to the Rotary of our future, while helping us build the Rotary of today.
Be well!
Bill Pritchard
6250 District Governor 2020-2021