“The world’s first service club was founded on 23 February 1905 when lawyer Paul Harris and three friends met in a small office in downtown Chicago. These men wanted to rekindle in the turn-of-the-century city the spirit of friendliness they had known in their home towns. Word of the club soon spread and others were invited to join. They named their new club “Rotary” to describe the practice of meeting in rotation at the members’ various places of business. “
Rotaract originally began as a Rotary International youth program in 1968 at Charlotte North Rotary Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, and has grown into a major Rotary-sponsored organization of over 10,904 clubs spread around the world and 250,792 members in 184 countries.
Rotary’s contribution to the fight against polio is ongoing, while areas of focus evolved from
Through the decades, significant milestones achieved were:
1960’s Geetha Jayaram, a pre-med student in Bangalore, India, became charter secretary of an early Rotaract club in 1968. Emulating Rotary’s core setup of regrouping various professionals as one.
1970’s John Skerritt helped charter the Rotaract Club of Carlingford, New South Wales, Australia, in 1978, after reading a newspaper advertisement placed by local Rotarians wanting to start a Rotaract club.
Still far from Internet, TV and Social Media. From matchmaking to serving the community, Rotaract served as a platform to foster interpesonal relations and develop into serving the society.
1980’s Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of the Soviet Union, and the policies of glasnost and perestroika transform world politics. A nuclear accident occurs at Chernobyl. The Berlin Wall falls in 1989.
In an era where world political administration is changing the way countries interact, Rotaract is an ideal opportunity to enable young people to do something that they want to do but don’t know how. one of Rotary’s area of focus remains Peace and conflict prevention/resolution.
1990’s remains the highlight to Peace among various nations, where German reunification in 1990 ends 45 years of separation. The Soviet Union collapses on Christmas Day 1991. Nelson Mandela is released from prison and becomes president of South Africa four years later.
It is the decade where the internet started to connect people, technology kicks in and Rotaractors start to discover new frontiers.
2000’s Facebook is founded, YouTube and Twitter launch. Rotaractors moved to be Rotarians with new generation of Rotaractors emergingm, more content is accessible through digital platforms.
Social media and the ability to be connected so quickly and easily with others has opened up new opportunities for projects and project ideas. Whether you are working as partners or forwarding ideas, it is completely different.
2010’s Rotaract is present in more than 183 countries, with members of over 10 000. Rotary clubs harnessed the expertise of the young generation. Where Rotaract is more significant to today’s youth.
2019 Rotary International Council in August elevates Rotaract to Rotary partner. Rotaractors are expected to gradually evolve into future Rotarians, the elevation is expected to serve as the platform for transition.
Mauritius District 9220
The Rotaract Club of Rivière du Rempart was chartered on 24th February 2012 and is sponsored by Rotary club of Grand Baie. From Mauritius and forms part of multi country district 9220.
25th November 2019:
The Rotaract Club of Riviere du Rempart partners with the Rotary Club of Riche Mare into organisitng a joint fund raising towards Polio Awareness and raising funds for the PolioPlus contribution. Xplore Bras D’eau Jog and Run.
Rotarians and Rotaractors are united through various causes while sharing the same desire to Serve above Self.
With 210 participants from all around Mauritius, both organising clubs expressed their satisfaction while being thankful to the various collaborators.
The 3 km trail was graced by participation of Rotary District 9220 Governor Raja Sundaram from Seychelles, along with other district officials.
With the quest of a Health Run achieved with the aim of safeguarding the fight against Polio.
Through the theme of Rotary International year 2019 – 2020 Rotary Connects the World. Rotary Rotaract and Interact connected together to make an impact.
Evolution is constant, Rotary has been connecting people, countries and lead from the fore front into fighting diseases, upholding peace and ensuring we are in a better world. We connect together to achieve, addressing needs across various countries.
Rortaract emerges from Rotary, connecting together to be impactful while enlightening the environment we are in. Opportunities are always present, Rotary opens the door to change, welcoming new ideas and creating new opportunities.
Together, Rotary and Rotaract foresee constant milestones achieved.
References:
https://www.rotary.org/en/rotaract-through-decades
Author Soovan SD
President Rotaract Club of Riviere du Rempart 2019 -2020
Soovan Sharma Dookhoo 