Rotary International seeks to connect leaders from all over the globe, exchange ideas by expanding their networks and take action to create lasting change around the world. They sponsor Rotaract clubs that are for 18 to 30-year-olds to exchange ideas, plan projects and socialize in their own communities. Here are three things you gain when you join your closest Rotaract club!
1. Personal Networking
Rotaractors and Rotarians come from all different backgrounds. They are also super friendly and you will meet someone new every time you go to a meeting—good thing Rotarians usually carry business cards with them! Since Rotary is also a professional organization, you get to expand your personal network by making good connections.
2. Leadership Skills
Rotaract and Rotary also have a lot of opportunities to gain leadership skills. You can become a coach for Rotary’s high school program, the Interactors, at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, which is a weekend leadership retreat. In the Houston area, Rotarians do almost the same at the Gulf Coast Leadership Seminar. There will also be opportunities to lead your own service projects and conduct professional meetings.
3. Service Opportunities
The service projects Rotarians and Rotaractors commit to are the most rewarding. For example, their global projects include bringing clean water to communities and eradicating polio. In Houston, Books to the World club members provide textbooks abandoned by school districts to communities in need.
4. Fun!
Rotarians and Rotaractors live by the 4-Way Test. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better relationships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? And the secret fifth rule: is it fun? Rotary and Rotaract are social clubs as much as they are service clubs, so expect to have a good time with them!
UH students can attend semimonthly club meetings on Tuesday evenings. To get the scope, you can join the UH Rotaract Club on Get Involved!