The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. - Mahatma Gandhi
Rotaract brings together students and young professionals to exchange ideas as / with leaders in their community, develop leadership and professional skills and have fun through service. Rotaract is organized into clubs in institutions and towns / communities in 177 countries world over. I intend to introduce to you / demystify Rotaract the best way possible so let’s go back in time just a little, shall we?
A little over a hundred and twelve years ago, Paul Harris - a Chicago lawyer - brought together four men with a desire for camaraderie among business associates. This meeting on 23rd February 1905 in downtown Chicago became known as the first Rotary club meeting. The four went on to invite their friends and colleagues to the Chicago-based club; formed clubs in other towns and countries eventually forming an international organization interested not only in networking among business persons but also service - using member’s resources to serve / solve problems in their communities.
A little over a hundred and twelve years ago, Paul Harris - a Chicago lawyer - brought together four men with a desire for camaraderie among business associates. This meeting on 23rd February 1905 in downtown Chicago became known as the first Rotary club meeting. The four went on to invite their friends and colleagues to the Chicago-based club; formed clubs in other towns and countries eventually forming an international organization interested not only in networking among business persons but also service - using member’s resources to serve / solve problems in their communities.
Since the 1920s, Rotarians - members of Rotary clubs - have been sponsoring organizations for young adults and in 1962, Rotary decided to form a youth service club for secondary school students, Interact club. The Interact program enjoyed immediate success; however, after secondary graduation Interactors - members of Interact clubs - then students in the university or young professionals fell out of the Rotary family. This led to the formation of Rotaract whose members are either university students or young professionals. On 13th March 1968, the Rotaract Club of the University of North Carolina, sponsored by the Rotary Club of North Charlotte, received its official charter hence being the first Rotaract club. Goals of Rotaract are:
- to develop professional and leadership skills;
- to emphasize respect for the rights of others, and to promote ethical standards and the dignity of all useful occupations;
- to provide opportunities for young people to address the needs and concerns of the community and our world;
- to provide opportunities for working in cooperation with sponsor Rotary clubs &
- to motivate young people for eventual membership in Rotary.
The Rotaract Club of Mombasa chartered in 1972 was the very first in Kenya and currently there are 39 other Rotaract clubs in the country. Clubs fellowship (read: meet) weekly or fortnightly during which time members network; discuss emerging issues; invite professionals to shed light on certain topics; plan community service activities and / or engage in / plan social activities. I have been a Rotaractor - member of Rotaract Club - since September 2014. Two and a half years on, I have engaged in life changing community service projects; developed greatly as a leader and as a training professional; met Rotarians and Rotaractors who have made amazing friends and mentors and had crazy fun while at it.
Besides individual club activities, clubs do partner with others locally and internationally. Rotary, through Rotaract, sponsor programs such as Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) - a leadership training camp; Rotary Youth Exchange; Rotary Peace Fellowships among others. Trust me you, RYLA Kenya is always worthwhile, lit and unforgettable.
Rotaract - like Rotary - has an elaborate leadership structure all the way from the club level to the international level and everyone has a chance to serve at any post. Through this, experienced business leaders use their skills to advance the course of Rotary while giving others a chance to nurture their leadership skills. As a measure of integrity, all in the Rotary family believe in the 4-way test:
Of the things we think, say or do:
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendship?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Rotaract - like Rotary - has an elaborate leadership structure all the way from the club level to the international level and everyone has a chance to serve at any post. Through this, experienced business leaders use their skills to advance the course of Rotary while giving others a chance to nurture their leadership skills. As a measure of integrity, all in the Rotary family believe in the 4-way test:
Of the things we think, say or do:
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendship?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
In summary: FRIENDSHIP | PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT | FUN | SERVICE
As Rotaract celebrates 49 years in 2017, I invite you to the most awesome club. Locate a club near you – google and Zuckerberg’s Facebook, my friend, is always your friend. I’m so sure you shall thank me later.
This is a guest post by Samuel M. Karanja - President 2016-17, Rotaract Club of JKUAT. You could reach him on [email protected]
As Rotaract celebrates 49 years in 2017, I invite you to the most awesome club. Locate a club near you – google and Zuckerberg’s Facebook, my friend, is always your friend. I’m so sure you shall thank me later.
This is a guest post by Samuel M. Karanja - President 2016-17, Rotaract Club of JKUAT. You could reach him on [email protected]