Rotaract

The Official Line

Rotaract is an international organization of service clubs for young people aged 18-30 that fosters leadership and responsible citizenship, encourages high ethical standards in business and promotes international understanding and peace.

Rotaract is a program of Rotary International. Rotaract Clubs, sponsored by a Rotary Club, take their name from a combination of the words “ROTARY” and “ACTION”.

A Brief History of Rotaract in the World and New Zealand

The first officially chartered Rotaract Club was in North Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1968. The first Rotaract Club chartered in New Zealand was The Rotaract Club of Mount Albert in Auckland on 19 February 1969. Charter President Graham Allan encapsulated why many young people join Rotaract – “Youth has always dreamed of bettering the society in which it lives. We view our present society with a harshly critical eye, dissatisfied with its tendency towards selfishness. We can now do something about it!”

Rotaract programme spread rapidly throughout New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. In 1970, just two years after the programme started, there were 50 clubs and by 1982, approximately 80 clubs. Unfortunately in the late 1980s and early 1990s Rotaract entered a phase of decline in New Zealand with most clubs terminating. That is until 1998 when the Rotaract Club of Somerville in Auckland was chartered with many of its members coming from another Rotary youth programme, RYLA. This club serviced the whole of the Auckland region until early 2003 when the Rotaract clubs of Pakuranga and The University of Auckland were chartered. Pakuanga Rotaract is predominately made up of past Interactors (school based 14-18 year old Rotarians).

In addition, the Pacific Island Rotaract Clubs of Suva, Nadi, Lautoka, Apia and Rarotonga were rediscovered. Many of these clubs were chartered in the early 1970s. The Rotaract Club of The Fiji Institute of Technology was chartered in 2003.

The “Rotaract Revival” has continued with the charter in mid 2004 of the Rotaract Clubs of Frankton (Hamilton) and Christchurch Central. Rotaract Clubs planned in the immediate future include clubs in Helensville, Auckland CBD, Tauranga and Lower Hutt. Anyone interested in starting a new Rotaract club in their area should contact their local District Rotaract Representative.

Today, there are some 165,000 members in more than 7.500 Rotaract Clubs in 161 countries. Most clubs are either community or university based.

What do Rotaract Clubs do?

Rotaract Clubs conduct formal meetings, usually every two weeks, which feature speakers, tours of local businesses, cultural activities, discussions and visits to other clubs. Rotaractors utilize weekends for service project work, social events and professiona and leadership development workshops.

Every Rotaract Club is part of a district Rotaract organization, run by elected representatives with support from sponsoring Rotarians. The district organization plans regional conferences, develops regional projects, holds club leadership training programs, and sponsors special events to strengthen the bond among clubs.

Rotaract functions internationally through a committee of Rotaractors and Rotarians. This committee works with Rotary International to plan an annual two days-long forum held prior to the Rotary International convention. This event offers Rotaractors from all over the world the chance to meet, discuss issues of mutual interest, and develop friendships based on international goodwill and understanding. Every three years Rotaractors conduct another international meeting called Interota, named from the words international and Rotaract.

The goals of Rotaract:

• To develop professional and leadership skills.
• To emphasize respect for the rights of others, based on recognition of the worth of each individual.
• To recognize the dignity and value of all useful occupations as opportunities to serve.
• To recognize practice and promote ethical standards as leadership qualities and vocational responsibilities.
• To develop knowledge and understanding of the needs, problems and opportunities in the community and worldwide.
• To provide opportunities for personal and group activities to serve the community and promote international understanding and goodwill to all people

– THE VISION –

“WHO? WHEN? WHERE? WHAT? HOW?”

Who we are looking for?

• Young professionals 18 to 30
• Committed and enthusiastic members

When?

• Fortnightly club meetings
• Day and time – you decide e.g. Breakfast, lunch, evening club?
• Monthly committee meeting

Where?

• Professional yet relaxed environment
• Boardroom/round table?
• Cafe/restaurant?
• School?

What?

Community – local/international

Local

Aim: Identify and address the needs of the community

• Develop a working relationship with community groups and government agencies.
• Advocacy role – voice of mature youth
• Create community profile
• People-power for fundraising events
• Working on joint projects with Rotary

Possible Projects:

• City Mission/Youthtown/Salvation Army
• Official collectors e.g. Cancer Society, Blind Foundation, Woman’s Refuge
• Environmental projects e.g. Tree planting, clean-ups
• “Mucking In”/”Rotaract Angels”
• Charity Auction

Guest Speakers – Community focus

International

Aim: Identify and address the needs of the international community/ Promoting international peace, understanding and goodwill

• Form relationships with overseas Rotaract clubs e.g. Sydney City, Suva, Louisiana
• Promote International & cross-cultural awareness e.g. International dinners, Rotaract exchange team
• Provision of overseas aid e.g. Emergency boxes, Books in Homes, Rotahomes, medical supplies

Professional Development

Aim: Develop professional, business and life skills of members

• Guest Speakers – Vocational skills focus
• Site visits eg. Art Gallery, Police, TVNZ, Radio Station, Cadbury, Coca Cola, Coast Guard
• Vocational workshops/Ongoing courses eg. Financial planning, time management, career planning, public speaking, defensive driving, wine appreciation, first aid, property investment, self-defense, ceroc dancing, cooking
• Sharing skills of members – “Expertise”

Club services – Administration, social and finance

Administration

Aim: Effective club administration – operating a non-profit organization/incorporated society

• Communication e.g. Membership egroup, monthly club bulletin
• Officer training and succession planning
• Strong membership development – recruitment and retention
• Marketing initiatives e.g. T-shirts, brochures and posters, business cards

Social

Aim: HAVE FUN!!! Meet new people, network

• Weekend/Out of town getaways
• Social Outings e.g. Parties, BBQ’s, Themed evenings, go-karting, ten pin bowling, rock climbing, indoor sports (form a team), film evenings, wine trails, camping & tramping, race meetings, quiz nights, golf tournaments, polo
• Inner-club events & competitions
• Team building activities
• Rotary/Rotaract competitions e.g. Mini-golf, debates, sporting team, lawn bowls
• Appoint a “What’s Up” person

Finance

• Devise ways and means of raising funds for club and community purposes
• Create sponsorship opportunities (community projects, membership benefits)
• Responsible financial management of all club activities and projects

How?

• Identify a core group of committed charter members to organize the Club
• Identify the interests and strengths in order to allocate suitable positions
• Devise a budget and annual business plan

Proposed Next Meeting?
To be advised.
Contact:
The Waitakere Rotary Club
Bob Benzie
Phone: 021 434 611