ROTARACT YOUTH IN ACTION

Comes July and almost every noted business people, senior noted people of Nepal are seen rushing and managing their schedules to meet up one of the important function of their year. Every papers and magazines are seen covering the activities of Rotary and its social activities done throughout its Rota year that ends taking new leadership from these professionals for commitment of service above self for the upcoming year. However, little or less has been noticed about their youth power, their partners in service called Rotaract Clubs. These youth clubs under Rotary International also take up initiatives to mark their presence particularly through its public relation and district events focusing March 13 of each year as a very important date, the date of their birth as youth in action. Rotaract Clubs have equally interesting history and successful activities undertaken under cooperation and supervision of their parent Rotary Clubs. So what is a Rotaract Club?

ROTARACT - FRIENDSHIP IN ACTION Rotaract is a worldwide organization of young men and women between the age-group of 18 to 30, inclusive of who believe they can make a difference through Community and International Service Projects. Rotaract help improve the lives of the people around them. In doing so, they develop leadership skills and professional skills and establish a network of friends. Rotaract is friendship in action. Rotaract is fun formed either at community base or as an extra curricular activity at college level.

Most Rotaract activities take place at the club level. Rotaract clubs hold formal meetings, usually every two weeks which features speakers, special outings, social activities, discussions, or visits to other clubs. Club members get together on designated weekends for services project work, social events ultimately for professional and leadership development among the promising youth.

Rotaract functions at the International level through a committee comprised of Rotaractors and Rotarians. This committee works with Rotary International Convention which offers Rotaractors from all over the world the chance to meet, discuss issues if mutual interest, and develop friendship based on International goodwill and understanding which is crucial for positive youth action for change at this age of globalization.

A BRIEF LOOK AT ROTARACT Rotaract was founded in 1968 by Rotary International with the first club Rotaract club of the University of North Carolina founded on 13 March 1968 sponsored by Rotary club of North Charlotte, North Carolina. It has taken its toll to over 7,088 clubs Rotary sponsored Rotaract Clubs in over 150 countries worldwide with growing membership over 136,413.

Though Rotaract movement worldwide has reached its 38th year, its history in context of Nepal and Asia is equally interesting. Rotary came to mainland Asia in 1919 establishing its first club in mainland Asia followed by popular Mahatma Gandhi’s address to the Rotary clubs on” The Economic and Spiritual Values of the Charkha” – 18th August 1925. Rotary has since seen several renumbering of its district from being known as District 89 in 1936 to District 91 in 1959 when the first club in the Royal Kingdom of Nepal, the Rotary Club of Kathmandu was born. His Majesty The King Late Mahendra Bir Bikram Shahdev was equally concerned in this movement which is evidenced by the set up the building that we now see as Rotary Hall, Thapathali. Rotaract Clubs in Asia were established in 1974 with 1st District Rotaract Representative (DRR) in charge of clubs in its district (325 at that time). Eventually, district covering Asia was split into several other districts including decision on 1st District Conference organized at Kathmandu in 1984 when it was under RI District 329. By 1990 it split again to cover part of West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Nepal which is continuing as RI District 3290 till date. There are over 66 strong Rotary clubs in Nepal with over 2000 Rotarians and 33 active Rotaract Clubs with membership over 1000 spread over Nepal. Every Rotaract Club is a part of a District Rotaract organization, run by the Elected Representatives with support from sponsoring Rotarians. The district organization plans regional Conferences; develops regional projects; holds club leadership training programs and work to strengthen the bond among clubs in the district. Though Rotaract clubs in Nepal became active and effective only since 1998, with continuous efforts and exercises of positive leadership, now it has a strong networking district council set up to look after affairs of Nepal Club Activities. It has also created another history with achievement of prestigious position of 1st and last DRR representing Nepal in RI District 3290 for year 2007/08, the last Rota Year before Nepal will operate as a separate district 3292. WORLD ROTARACT WEEK To commemorate the birth of Rotaract in Rotary Movement and youth development, a whole week focused on March 13 is celebrated worldwide. Clubs around the world perform special activities to further the promotion of the movement. Their activities encourage less privileged youth peers from respective communities to join in and develop leadership and professional skills through this platform availed by Rotary. During World Rotaract Week, they primarily focus on encouraging Rotary Clubs to open up Rotaract Clubs as its partners in service, invite and organize special programs in coordination with their closest and professional resources availing in Rotary Clubs for youth development, spread awareness in their respective communities organizing joint service projects with Rotary Clubs and further their relations with Rotary and the community. Their achievements and success stories are rewarded by RI with a special recognition which becomes a contribution to qualitative youth growth and a source of inspiration to new Rotaract clubs. District Council of Nepal Clubs have also set up various activities for this week and some of them such as District Sports Tournament of Football and badminton has already started, awareness Cycle Rally from Patan Durbar Square to Kathmandu commemorating this special day has also been held this morning. They have activities being executed at all clubs that promotes community development, professional development both at domestic and international level with a grand closing ceremony being scheduled for 18th March 2006 at Rotary Hall Thapathali. “Hune Biruwa ko chhillow pat” The greenery of potential plant: Even with the faltering status of nation, the youth involved in Rotaract are busy creating positive impact and small but effective projects throughout the country in this week followed by almost every weekends committed to their “Fellowship Through Service” principle. All they are expecting is a little attention of elites and media to highlight their activities and potentiality for a better tomorrow.

"The perfect relationship between Rotary club and Rotaract club is more than a friend, a co-worker, a mother and son, a mentor and mentee but also partners-in-service." - P.P. Parry T. K. Poon at First Plenary Session, APRCC 2005 on Saturday, 27 August 2005