Rotary Minute for 8/20/2009

Rotaract is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30. Rotaract clubs are either community or university based, and they're sponsored by a local Rotary club. This makes them true "partners in service" and key members of the family of Rotary.

As one of Rotary's most significant and fastest-growing service programs, with more than 7,000 clubs in about 163 countries and geographical areas, and about 163,000 members, Rotaract has become a worldwide phenomenon.

Rotaract stands for Rotary in action.

The first club was chartered in 1968 at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, in the USA.

Rotaractors can, through their membership:

·        Develop professional and leadership skills

·        Emphasize respect for the rights of others

·        Promote ethical standards and the dignity of all useful occupations

·        Provide opportunities for young people to address the needs and concerns of the community and our world

·        Provide opportunities for working in cooperation with sponsoring Rotary clubs

·        Motivate young people for eventual membership in Rotary

Rotaract clubs are required to complete two major service projects annually to improve the quality of life at home and abroad, while expanding international understanding and goodwill.

Cornell Rotaract is sponsored by Ithaca Sunrise Rotary. The involvement of Rotarians in Rotaract activities is critical to the success of the program.