Rotaract
is an international organization of service clubs
for men and women 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 work under the guidance of their local Rotary
Club, and take their name from a combination of the
words Rotary and action. The first officially chartered
Rotaract Club was in North Charlotte, North Carolina,
in 1968, but clubs of young people associated in service
with local Rotary Clubs had existed for several years
in India and Europe.
Today, there are some 165,000 members in more than
7,000 Rotaract Clubs in 151 countries. Clubs draw
members from the community or are organized as an
extracurricular activity for college students.
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 professional
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. |