“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, YOU ARE A LEADER.”
World Rotaract Day is observed on March 13th every year to recognize the services provided by the Rotaractors across the globe.
Rotaract originally began as Rotary International youth program in 1968 at Charlotte North Rotary Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA and has now grown into a major Rotary sponsored organization of over 10,904 clubs spread around the world and over 203,000 members in 189 countries. It is a community service organization which includes young men and women and they take part in international service projects, in a global effort to bring peace and international understanding of the world. Rotaract focuses on the development of young adults as leaders in their communities and workplaces.
“Rotaract” stands for “Rotary in Action” and the world Rotaract Club motto is “Self Development – Fellowship through Service”. The purpose of Rotaract is to offer an opportunity for young men and women to improve the knowledge and skills that will assist them in personal development, to address the social needs of their communities, and to promote better relations between people worldwide through a model of friendship. The Rotaract headquarters is in Evanston, Illinois, United States and to be eligible for membership, prospective members must be 18 years of age and over, show that they are committed to Rotaract and also that they are in a good understanding of the community. After being approved by the club, prospective members are inducted to become members, also known as ‘Rotaractors’.
Rotaract Club focuses mainly on the following 6 areas.
- Peace and conflict prevention/resolution.
- Disease prevention and treatment.
- Water and sanitation.
- Maternal and child health.
- Basic education and literacy.
- Economic and community development.
Most Rotaract activities take place at the club level. Rotaract clubs hold formal meetings in person or virtually, special outings, social activities, discussions or visits to other clubs and club members get together on designated days for different kinds of project work, social events, or professional/leadership development workshops. Rotaract Club undertakes various projects for the overall development of their members.
Surround yourself with dreams and doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all surround yourself with those who see greatness within you, even when you do not see it yourself. Definitely, the world is in need of more and more Rotaractors.
