About

Rotaract, which stands for ‘Rotary in Action’, is a youth-led organization that ultimately aims to bring peace and understanding to the world. As a non-religious, non-political, and non-profit organization, the club is wholly dedicated to the improvement of the communities and to international service. In addition to its commitment to community service, the club also places a strong emphasis on its members' personal and professional growth. For the overall improvement of its members and the community, Rotaract Club works on a variety of humanitarian and environmental projects locally and internationally.

A Rotaract club's board of directors, which consists of the president, an immediate-past president, the vice president, the secretary, the treasurer, and other officers that the club deems necessary, serves as its governing body. Board meetings should be periodically attended by Rotarian and faculty advisers for further planning of the club’s movements. Members of Rotary clubs are welcome to observe these meetings as well. From ensuring successful club activities, to maintaining accurate financial records, providing feedback on the club’s planning, to carrying out the club’s different activities and projects, the Board members divide their tasks according to their roles for the effective functioning of the club. 

Being a part of a Rotaract Club is a very fun way for the youth to achieve their personal goals sideways serving the community. Aside from community service, other important benefits of joining the Rotaract Club include building friendships, networking with professionals, and developing communication and public speaking abilities.

Rotaract has evolved quickly in its short but dynamic history. In the early 1960s, Rotary clubs around the world began to sponsor university youth groups as community service projects. The 1967-68 RI president, Luther H. Hodges, and the RI Board of Directors considered this club activity to have international relevance, and Rotaract was approved in 1968 as an official program for Rotary clubs. The first club chartered was the Rotaract Club of North Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, on 13 March 1968. 

Several decades later, the Rotaract program has grown into a strong, international network of 7,300 clubs in more than 150 countries and geographical areas. Rotaract's 145,000 members are young men and women (ages 18 to 30) who serve the needs of their communities, widen their personal and professional contacts, and increase their understanding of the world. 

Rotaract has the following goals: 

• To develop professional and leadership skills 

• To emphasize respect for the rights of others, based on recognition of the worth of each individual 

• To recognize the dignity and value of all useful occupations as opportunities to serve

• To recognize, practice, and promote ethical standards as leadership qualities and vocational responsibilities 

• To develop knowledge and understanding of the needs, problems, and opportunities in the community and worldwide 

• To provide opportunities for personal and group activities to serve the community and promote international understanding and goodwill toward all people

Rotary International is a worldwide service organization for leading business and professional men and women, with more than 1.2 million members in over 31,000 Rotary clubs. Each Rotaract club is sponsored by a local Rotary club. This sponsorship is a result of Rotary's belief that young people, or New Generations, should take an active interest in community life and have the opportunity for professional development. 

Organizing a Rotaract club is one of the most rewarding activities a Rotary club can undertake in its community. The Rotaract program gives Rotarians the opportunity to mentor dynamic young women and men interested in providing service to their own communities as well as the global community. In turn, a Rotaract club can bring new energy to a Rotary club, inspire fresh ideas for service, increase support for projects, and help develop future Rotary club members. 

Rotaract clubs are self-governed and largely self- financed at the local level. Working in coopera- tion with their sponsoring Rotary clubs as partners in service, Rotaractors are an important part of Rotary's extended family. 

Rotaract clubs organize a variety of projects and activities, depending primarily on the interests of the club members. However, within the Rotaract program, all clubs undertake three types of activities in varying degrees: professional develop ment, leadership development, and service projects. Together, these three areas ensure a balanced club program and provide important experience and opportunities for the personal development of each Rotaractor.