Rotaract - District 9810

A Brief History
Rotaract has evolved quickly in its short but dynamic history. In the early 1960s, Rotary clubs around the world began to sponsor university youth groups as community service projects. The 1967-68 Rotary International (RI) President, Luther Hodges, and the RI Board of Directors considered this club activity to have international relevance, and Rotaract was approved in 1968 as an official program for Rotary clubs.  

What does Rotaract do?
You might ask, "What exactly does a Rotaract club do?"
Rotaract clubs organise a variety of projects and activities, depending primarily on the interests of the club members. There are, however, three types of activities within the Rotaract program that all clubs undertake in varying degrees: professional development, leadership development, and service projects. Together, these three areas ensure a balanced club program and provide important experience and opportunities for the personal development of each Rotaractor. 

Professional Development
A club’s professional development activities should expand the members’ understanding of the work environment and business opportunities within their community. These activities should highlight the Rotaractor’s role in the community’s economic development and illustrate how skills developed through service activities can help in resolving problems in the workplace. Each Rotaract club should provide professional development opportunities to its members through activities such as: 

Leadership Development
A club's leadership development activities not only aim to make members more effective leaders in their personal lives, but also teach them how to develop and sustain strong clubs with relevant projects. Important topics to address in training club leaders include: 

Service Projects
Above all other principles, "Service Above Self" is the credo that guides Rotary. Rotaract has inherited the service aspect, but with a bit more fun as "Fellowship through Service". A Rotaract club's service projects are designed to improve the quality of life at home and abroad. These projects often address today's most critical issues, such as violence, drug abuse, AIDS, hunger, the environment and illiteracy.
Each Rotaract club is required to complete at least two major service projects annually, one to serve the community and the other to promote international understanding. Each project should involve all or most of the members of the club. 

Rotarians on the Internet

The Official "Rotarians on the Internet" Fellowship
ROTI is a lot more than a group of Rotarians who get together on the Internet for fellowship. We are a large organization with a mission, goals, and a number of projects under way. We hope you will join us, to move your Rotary experience to an all new level of international involvement and Service Above Self.
Our membership is open to all Rotarians, Rotarian spouses and Rotaractors, and there is no cost or pressure for contributions. 

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

Realising leadership potential

RYLA is a premier youth leadership development program designed to promote proactivity, personal and professional development of Australian youth who have already been identified with exceptional leadership potential.

RYLA recruits only the highest calibre young people and offers this group the chance to access some of Australia's most influential and motivational speakers; experts in a variety of fields.
RYLA is hosted by Rotary, a reputable not for profit organisation whose mission is to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and build goodwill and peace in the world. One of Rotary International's key commitments is to helping young people prepare for the future and to build the next generation of leaders. 

Why choose RYLA?
Established in 1971, RYLA focuses on leadership, citizenship, and personal development.  

The program is designed to: 

RYPEN - developing and building confidence in young people

In today’s competitive world, there are not always opportunities for the average student to step outside their comfort zone, explore their ideas to develop the “life skills” that translate to confidence in everyday life.  

RYPEN aims to provide young people aged 14 to 16 years with the opportunity to develop their leadership potential, alongside their peers in a supportive environment.  

RYPEN encourages awardees to explore their ideas in problem solving, team and group activities, and gain experiences that will assist them in forming their own values and moral standards. As a part of this,  

RYPEN is about building confidence and developing skills to cope in a range of situations. 

RYPEN is also about having fun and broadening the cultural, social and academic horizons of participants 

The Science Experience

The Science Experience is a fun three-days of science activities for students in Year 9 in 2009 who will be entering Year 10 in 2010.
Each program is designed to provide those who have an interest in science with an opportunity to engage in a wide range of fascinating science activities under the guidance of scientists who love their work. 

The programs take place in university laboratories and lecture theatres in thirty-six universities. Participants perform experiments in the university laboratories, meet and hear university lecturers in the university lecture theatres, and walk around and experience what it is like to be on a university campus. More than 40,000 Year 9 students have taken this rare opportunity. 

The program also provides information about further studies in science, technology and engineering. It highlights the wide range of careers that allow students to pursue their interest and abilities in the sciences. 

One aspect of the programs often commented on by participants is the opportunity to meet and share ideas with students from different schools. Each program includes a BBQ or other social activity.  

ShelterBox

How ShelterBox got started? 

Once upon a time, Tom Henderson attended a regular Helston-Lizard Rotary Club meeting. What he said next was to change everything.

'Hey guys, I've had an idea, which could bring shelter and beds to people who have become homeless in disasters around the world... and all in a single box'. 'Yeah, that sounds a good idea' we said, 'why don't you look into it'?
Well, Tom doesn't need to be told twice? As an ex naval officer and spending his time generally doing dangerous stuff above and below the sea all over the globe, he went and found all that was needed... tents, sleeping bags, boxes, equipment - the best quality, (with some arm twisting) at the lowest cost.

He put SHELTERBOX together, it's administered by the Helston-Lizard Club and sent worldwide through Rotary. So it's all his fault!!!

A ShelterBox consists of:
10 Sleeping bags, a rugged 10 person tunnel tent, tools & equipment…
 
It contents provides:  for 10 people in a box… 

Dry shelter, a warm bed, light and heat, clean water, cooking aids & tools… 

The Rotary Foundation

The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.
The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world. 

Youth Exchange Program

Rotary Youth Exchange - an opportunity of a lifetime

Follow the menu above to see if you qualify and to find out more about the application process. You are encouraged to make further inquiries at any time of the year. The closing date of applications for Youth Exchange is during March of the year prior to departure 

How our Exchange works

As a Rotary Exchange student, you will spend one year living in another country, usually with three or four host families. You will become part of those families and their community. These Rotary accredited families are volunteers who will welcome and care for you, supervise your year and introduce you to their culture and lifestyle.

In your host country you may learn another language, experience different foods, study different subjects, enjoy a new culture and enjoy a new way of living. In addition you will learn a great deal about yourself and gain confidence and self sufficiency.

You will attend school in your local community, as well as participating in Rotary activities and civic functions. At the same time you will make new friends, see exciting places and experience adventures that will take a lifetime to recount...

Other sites for information:  

Rotary Down Under – http://www.rotarydownunder.com.au/ 

District 9810 - http://www.rotary9810.org/ 

Rotary International  - http://www.rotary.org