ROTARACT
What has Rotaract done for me?
By Emily Wood, Rotaract Club of South-West Brisbane, Australia
I’ve been a member of Rotaract — Rotary’s community service and professional development program for young leaders age 18-30 — for ten years. As I age out or “graduate,” I’ve started thinking about what Rotaract has done for me and how it’s shaped who I am today. A decade is a long time to stick with something. So, why have I?
Opportunity. Through Rotaract, I’ve had the opportunity to do many amazing things:
- I’ve traveled the world to experience different cultures and participate in projects.
- I’ve lived and studied abroad as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar.
- I’ve attended four Rotary International Conventions (Montreal, Bangkok, Lisbon and Sydney) where I’ve heard from and connected with some truly impressive individuals who are making the world a better place.
- I’ve attended RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award), a week-long personal and professional development program that helps you figure out what you want in life and equips you with the skills you need to achieve your goals.
- I’ve received training in leadership, time management, project planning, event coordination, public speaking, governance, and much more.
- I’ve served on local, national and international committees, helping shape the future of this great organisation.
- I’ve been given free rein to develop and implement public relations, marketing and advertising campaigns for my club and district.
Experience. At the age of 23, I was invited to serve on the Rotary District 9630 Public Relations Committee. In my first year, I helped deliver new brand positioning (informed by research I undertook as part of my post-graduate degree), a bus advertising campaign, a new district website, new marketing collateral, and media and communication skills training. I will be forever grateful to the Rotarians who put their faith in me, and gave me the opportunity to test and further develop my skills. Not many people receive opportunities like this so early in their careers.
Confidence. Long gone is the girl who was terrified of public speaking — or even putting forward opinions in a meeting. Rotaract helped me overcome my fears. It’s amazing how fear slips away when you are in a comfortable, supportive environment, surrounded by people who share your passions. As president of my club, I gained invaluable people and project management skills, and developed the confidence to chair meetings, plan projects and run training sessions. I’ve since served as a keynote speaker and panelist at local, national and international conferences, speaking to audiences of 200-plus people. I’ve also established a reputation at work for being calm and confident under pressure.
Life-long friendships. Rotaract has given me the most amazing network of friends — here at home and in almost every corner of the globe. These wonderful individuals have made my life so much richer. They are passionate and talented, and make a real and tangible difference in the lives of others. We’ve shared many adventures and I look forward to sharing many more.
This week is World Rotaract Week. It’s the last time I’ll be celebrating as a Rotaractor, but not the last time I’ll be celebrating this great organisation.
If you’re a young adult aged 18 to 30 interested in helping others, developing new skills and having a great time, then Rotaract is for you. Find a club and get involved — you won’t regret it!
Celebrate World Rotaract Week 13-19 March. Share what you are doing on social using #WorldRotaractWeek to be featured on our hashtag wall.
Original post: https://blog.rotary.org/2017/03/13/what-has-rotaract-done-for-me/#more-7601
Join the global movement of young leaders who are developing innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
Rotaract clubs bring together people ages 18-30 to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service.
In communities worldwide, Rotary and Rotaract members work side by side to take action through service. From big cities to rural villages, Rotaract is changing communities like yours.
UGANDA
The Rotaract Club of Bugolobi worked alongside local doctors, schools, and the Uganda Health Marketing Group to provide everything from school supplies to comprehensive medical screenings, dental exams, and HIV testing and prevention education to over 1,000 residents of a nearby village.
- 9,522
Rotaract clubs
- 291,006
Rotaractors
- 177
countries with Rotaract clubs
What’s involved?
Rotaract clubs decide how to organize and run their club, manage their own funds, and plan and carry out activities and service projects aligned with causes that are important to your community. Rotary club sponsors offer guidance and support and work with your club as partners in service.
Celebrate the global impact of Rotaract by getting involved in:
- World Rotaract Week
- Rotaract district and multidistrict events
- The Rotaract Preconvention Meeting
- The Interota conference
- Rotary Day at the United Nations
- Global Youth Service Day
Learn more about these events and how to get involved in the Rotaract Handbook.
How do I join?
Check with your university or contact a local Rotary club to find out if there’s a Rotaract club in your area. Contact the Rotaract club to find out how you can join its next meeting, service project, or social event.
Can I start a Rotaract club?
Yes. If your university or community doesn’t already have a Rotaract club, you can start one. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- A sponsor Rotary club to provide support and partnership
- A faculty or sponsor club adviser to guide and mentor you
- People ages 18-30 from your school or community who are interested in joining the club
- Leaders to organize your club, find other members, and plan successful projects
Everything you need to organize, certify, and manage your club is in the Rotaract Handbook.
Can my Rotary club sponsor a Rotaract club?
Help young adults in your community develop leadership skills, build lasting friendships, and create positive change through Rotaract. Not only will Rotaract make a difference in their lives, it will also energize and inspire your Rotary club and connect you with enthusiastic and capable partners in service.
Follow Rotaract on Facebook, Twitter, Slideshare, and Storify
What are the benefits?
Connect with leaders in your community and around the world to:
- Take action locally and internationally to create sustainable change
- Expand your professional network and exchange ideas with proven leaders
- Develop your professional skills through leadership training
- Save money on travel, hotels, and supplies with Rotary’s member benefits program, Rotary Global Rewards
- Have fun and make new friends from around the world
- Connect with the global community of Rotaract at the annual Rotary International Convention and Rotaract Preconvention
Twin clubs
Connect with a Rotaract club in another country by developing a twin club relationship. Not only will it expand your knowledge of another country and its cultures, you’ll also increase your club’s global impact. Find potential twin club candidates by referring to the Worldwide Rotaract Directory, available to Rotaract club presidents and district leaders through the Rotaract Workgroup. Clubs interested in a twin club relationship are marked with a letter P.
Rotarian Action Groups
Connect with Rotaract and Rotary members and their families who are experts in a particular field by joining a Rotarian Action Group. Group members share their expertise by collaborating with clubs and districts on service projects.
Rotary Fellowships
Share your hobby or vocation with fellow club members, their spouses, and Rotary members. Some Rotary Fellowships are purely social, and others use their common interests and skills to carry out service projects.
District connections
Your district offers a variety of ways to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in your area. You can also contact Rotaract clubs outside your district using the Worldwide Rotaract Directory. Your club or district Rotaract leaders can access the directory through the Rotaract Workgroup.
District Rotaract representatives
District Rotaract representatives are Rotaract members who have been elected by clubs in their district to help promote and share information about Rotaract with their members. District governors may appoint a Rotary member to serve as a district Rotaract chair. Together, the district Rotaract representative and chair serve as co-chairs for the district Rotaract committee, which comprises Rotaract and Rotary members. Email Rotary staff for information about your district Rotaract chair or representative.
Multidistrict information organizations
Rotaract multidistrict information organizations help connect Rotaract clubs across several Rotary districts. Working within a country or region, these organizations bring members together to exchange ideas, share information, and meet other young leaders.
Rotaract clubs worldwide are using their energy, experience, and education to address issues that are important to them.