A while back I penned down the beginning of my Rotaract journey which included my first two years in the movement. If you missed it, think of this as walking into a movie halfway through. You’ll still get the plot, though some of the canon events may have slipped past you. To spare you the trouble of digging through archives, here’s a small recap. I joined the club, chaired a project called Writing Maze that basically laid the groundwork for my Rotaract shenanigans, became a Team Leader of the Club Relations Avenue, compered enough events to qualify for a lifetime supply of throat lozenges and engaged in many projects. Heading into my second year, I was the Assistant Secretary our club, working with reports, mentoring projects and discovering that documentation has the power to test both patience and character in equal measure. On top of that, I was Chief Editor of Career Fair ’24 and I also oversaw the Public Relations and Editorial Avenues of our club.
Now here’s me writing about my third year which is possibly the final chapter of my Rotaract saga. So, consider this the sequel, picking up where my story left off. The 2024-25 term rolled in and with it came the coveted title of Secretary. Now, becoming Secretary is like being told, “You’re in charge of more reporting!” but the fine print reveals something bigger as it’s a leap in responsibility, vision and the art of keeping a club running without losing your sanity. From the very first planning sessions, we dreamt big, and I was lucky enough to have a director board so full of energy that even the heaviest workload seemed almost survivable.
This term brought with it an even greater number of projects. I aimed to ensure that every member and every director felt their efforts were valued. No matter whether it was a flagship initiative or even a quieter effort, I made a vow to offer support wherever it was needed. And from this point onward, many projects began to take shape each bringing its own challenges, learning experiences and opportunities for our members to shine. One of the highlights for me personally was watching Writing Maze rise again. The editorial team made the bold decision to carry it forward as Writing Maze 2.0 and I had the privilege of co-authoring the story for our club.
Somewhere along the way as the term unfolded, I had the honour of being recognized as Secretary of the Month for October. A lovely recognition, though it really belonged to the collective effort of our member base. What impressed me most this year wasn’t a single award or title as it was our members themselves. The way they executed projects was nothing short of inspiring. In those early discussions, some of the ideas seemed almost impossible, like half-baked movie plots that couldn’t possibly work in real life. Yet against all odds, our members brought them to life. They made them truly shine by a desire to make a real difference. Being Secretary also gave me the opportunity to be part of the District Council which in turn opened doors to collaborate with Rotaractors from other clubs. New faces, fresh stories and unexpected collaborations were a vivid reminder of just how dynamic and far reaching the Rotaract community truly is.
Pretending the year was all smooth sailing would be a story too good to be true. The final quarter, especially the last two months was like living inside a blender as we had over 30 ongoing projects. To the equation of reporting these mountains of projects, add the Annual Report, Citation Checklists and Nomination Forms, all stacked high enough to make anyone rethink their entire approach to documentation. Yet even though completing project reports could feel overwhelming, each one reminded me of the countless hours our members had poured into making it all happen.
My policy on deadlines is simple. They’re sacred and always meant to be met. Every task was completed on time, though the path there was anything but smooth. The Annual Report went in literally at 11:59 p.m., a few seconds shy of the deadline, and the adrenaline from that final push could have powered my entire house. Yet thanks to the relentless support of my directors, our members, and especially my assistant secretaries, every deadline was honoured and every last detail was tied together with precision and care.
All the hard work and late nights eventually bore fruit. At the 35th Rotaract District Assembly, our club walked away with 28 awards plus a South East Asian Award for Writing Maze 2.0. Among the accolades were the Gold Award for Best Reporting Club and the Most Outstanding Secretary of the Year which are recognitions I’ll always cherish. And most importantly, the crowning honour of Most Outstanding Club of the Year for the Rotaract Club of University of Kelaniya was a victory written in the dedication, laughter and passion shared by our members.
The awards were incredible but what I hold closer is seeing our members grow. Watching fresh faces blossom into capable leaders brought back memories of my own early days as an unsure newbie still finding my footing and fumbling through the basics. Rotaract has a way of chiseling you into a leader when you least expect it. It shaped my discipline, sharpened my leadership and gave me stories that will outlive deadlines and reports.
Looking back, I realize that my time in Rotaract has been less of a straight path and more of a winding road filled with steep climbs and occasional breathtaking views. Each experience even if it was burning the midnight oil to complete a project report or plan an event, has left its mark on me. It has taught me patience, sharpened my leadership and above all, reminded me that growth is never a solo act but one that thrives on collaboration and connection. What makes Rotaract truly special is this curious balance it strikes between service and friendship, ambition and joy, and even responsibility and fun. You come in thinking you’re just signing up for projects, but you stay because somewhere along the way, those projects turn into memories and those memories turn into family.
As I stand at this point in my Rotaract journey, I feel both proud of what has been achieved and grateful for every step that brought me here. Challenges came, lessons followed and through it all, Rotaract shaped not only who I am today but who I hope to become tomorrow. Though my journey with RACUOK finds its close here, the spirit of Rotaract will continue to walk with me, reminding me that the magic lies not in endings but in the unfolding of what comes next.
Viva la RACUOK!
Viva la Rotaract!
If that’s still a thing 😉
