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 the following publications:
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:
- Special professional and vocational forums
- Business-related technology updates
- 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
- Improve public-speaking skills
- Teach techniques for marketing Rotaract to potential members
- Build consensus among members
- Help with delegating project responsibilities and ensuring follow-up
- Identify channels for project publicity and promotion
- 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
The RI president encourages all Rotaract clubs to strive for a Rotaract Presidential Citation. To qualify a club must complete any two activities listed in the Presidential Citation Brochure. The sponsor Rotary club president must sign the Rotaract Presidential Citation form to certify the Rotaract club's achievement and mail or fax it to the district governor no later than 31 March. District governors are reminded that their list of certified clubs must arrive at RI World Headquarters via e-mail or by fax by 15 April.
Find more information on Rotary International awards in the Members section.