Rotaractors Make Some Birthday Reflections

Happy World Rotaract Week!  As the Rotaract world celebrates its 50th birthday, clubs across the globe are buzzing with activity and celebration.  Our club is no different, and we have something planned for each day of the week.

Today, we are starting a conversation.  We recently sent out a survey to young people involved in Rotaract across the state, both in District 5110 and in District 5100.  We wanted to understand more about what brings people to Rotaract, what is special about it, and how it interacts with Rotary and other Rotary programs—such as Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) and Rotex, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and Interact.  Hopefully the information will help Rotaract and Rotary alike with issues of membership and engagement, and shed some light on what the future has in store for the organization.

The week's daily breakdown

The Results
Our respondents represented 5 Rotaract clubs in the two districts.  We had people from across the leadership spectrum, from presidents to committee chairs to members.

For most, this was not their first experience with Rotary—about one-third started with Interact (with over 2/3 Interactors at some point in high school), about half started with RYE, and one even started as a RYLA counselor.  (Note: in D-5100, RYLA is for Rotaract-aged young professionals, whereas in D-5110 it is for Interact-aged students.)  Nearly half attended RYLA or worked as counselors at some point, and others plan on doing it in the near future.  Rotarians take note: the engaged young members you are looking for are hooked early, by your investment in them.

Ownership & Engagement
The idea of Rotary and its programs as a chain—not based on increasing “validity” or even impact, but on age or position in life—was common in responses.  Cosette wrote that her Rotary story consisted of “Youth Exchange and then Interact, and then Rotaract! I wanted to go abroad; I didn't know a lot about Rotary."  Emily wrote that “I … joined my school’s Interact club when I came back from exchange and Rotaract club when I went to university.”

Similarly, sharing ownership and responsibility once a part of the club helps retain members.  Audrey, whose Rotary story started with Rotaract, was put right into the swing of things by becoming “a member of the Community Service committee, [and] helped plan a summer service project.”  Carol appreciated the opportunities and structure unique to Rotary, such as the ability to get involved on the district level.

Fellowship & Friends
While Rotaract is ostensibly about service and professional development, the social aspect appears to be key as well.  Responses included:
"I appreciated seeing my friends grow together through service, and tackle community issues with passion."
"I stayed involved because I loved the people and the service work."
"I saw a poster for Interact at my school and thought it looked interesting ... so I had a friend go with me to a meeting.”
"We make a positive impact and strengthen our friendships along the way."

Love of the Organization
"I didn't really know what [Interact] was at first, but once I got involved, I fell in love."

To elaborate the earlier point of hooking youth, it is clear that those Rotaractors who had already experienced a Rotary program were in it because of a profound experience they had.  Kristen “became involved in Rotaract because I was a counselor at camp RYLA and fell in love with the organization!"  Johnny and his family “hosted many exchange students during my childhood, which I think really shaped my world outlook. Then I went myself. … [My exchange] sealed the deal—it truly is a life-changing experience, and I knew I was in for life after that!"  Others echoed that sentiment, writing they “wanted to give back to the organization that changed my life and the community I live in,” and that they “found new ways to give back to the community and had a lot of fun!"

What is Great About Rotaract?
Inclusivity: “We leave our politics and religion at the door to celebrate the one thing we all have in common: making the world a better place."
Structure: "It has the support of Rotary and local clubs. If offers opportunities through Rotary International and local districts such as RYLA, Peace Scholars, etc."  Other responses mentioned the power of district grants and the clarity of focus that many service clubs lack.
Professional Development:  Our connection to the broader Rotary network “gives the means for mentoring and guidance from others.”
The Things We Do: Some impactful and often innovative projects done recently include a couple online fundraisers—one for a new stove for a homeless shelter, partnering with local service organizations, volunteering at Rotary events, putting on a trivia night fundraiser for refugees, adopting families at Christmas, and supporting a school in Guatemala.

The Future
Anna appreciated the accessibility and simultaneous power of Rotaract, writing "it makes involvement with Rotary more accessible on a limited budget and with limited time. Rotaract is truly about service above self and the other members reflect that."
 
International understanding was frequently identified as a draw, a meaningful aspect that increases retention, and a key feature of the organization.  Respondents wrote: "In this volatile political climate across the globe, it is crucial to make [international] person-to-person bonds," and that they value "the connections between not just people in the same club but also between clubs; the global worldview."

The group generally had Rotary in their future: peace scholarship, membership, and increasing engagement in their own clubs.  One is “open to any possibility, [but] just know I want to be involved;” another wrote that “the last year has inspired me to do more for Rotaract in the future; a third wishes to attend RYLA and then join Rotary.

How Rotary might look, however, is unclear.  Generally, respondents agreed that it will change, “becoming more flexible as younger generations mold it,” perhaps characterized by “a new wave of passion for service;” increased diversity of race, gender, and financial standing; and continued adjustments in the definition of membership and requirements for participation.