Benefits and recognition
Benefits of Rotaract
S ervice defines Rotary's character and is the basis for its appeal and visibility in the community. Service Above Self is the main philosophy that guides Rotary.
Community service opportunities
Each Rotaract club is required to complete at least two major service projects annually: one to benefit the community and the other to promote international understanding. For information on developing effective service projects, download Communities in Action: A Guide to Effective Projects (PDF)
Find out more about identifying effective community service efforts in the Projects section , and get information on international service project development in the Rotary Volunteers and World Community Service sections.
Learn about some award-winning Rotaract projects .
Professional development
A club’s professional development activities should expand its members’ understanding of the work environment and business opportunities within their community. They should highlight Rotaractors’ role in the community’s economic development and illustrate how skills honed through service can help resolve problems in the workplace. Each Rotaract club should provide professional development opportunities through activities such as these:
- Professional and vocational forums
- Updates on business-related technology
- Management and marketing seminars
- Business and professional ethics conferences
- Presentations on finance and credit options for start-ups
Rotarian sponsors can enhance Rotaractors’ professional development by providing practical advice on entering the business world and on overcoming vocational challenges. Joint Rotaract-Rotary professional development projects can help Rotaractors get better acquainted with Rotarians.
Resources:
Leadership development
A club’s leadership development activities aim not only to make members more effective leaders in their personal lives but also to teach them how to develop and sustain strong clubs through projects. Each Rotaract club should provide leadership development opportunities to its members through activities that work toward these goals:
- Improve public-speaking skills
- Teach techniques for marketing Rotaract to potential members
- Build consensus among members
- Share leadership for project responsibilities and ensure follow-up
- Identify channels to promote and publicize projects
- Point out financial resources for strengthening club development
- Assess project success
Additionally, clubs should consider providing ongoing district-level leadership development opportunities to Rotaractors as they strengthen their understanding of Rotary.
Rotaract Presidential Citation
During the 2011-12 Rotary year, there is no Presidential Citation award for Rotaract clubs. Instead, Rotaract clubs are invited to apply for the 2011-12 Changemaker Award, which will recognize achievements related to each of the five Avenues of Service. Each qualifying club will receive an award certificate. Additionally, the top performing small, medium, and large clubs will be entered into a zone and international competition, culminating in the opportunity for three clubs to be recognized onstage at the 2012 RI Convention in Bangkok, Thailand.
To qualify a club must fulfill the requirements listed on the 2011-12 Changemaker Award for Rotaract Clubs (PDF). The sponsor Rotary club president must sign the form to certify the Rotaract club's achievement and send it to the district governor no later than 15 March 2012. District governors are reminded that their list of certified clubs must be submitted to RI via Member Access by 22 March 2012. View Frequently Asked Questions about the Changemaker Award.
Find more information on Rotary International awards in the Members section .