Origin of World Rotaract Day (March 13th)

The proposal of establishing a "World Rotaract Day", to be celebrated annually by all Rotaractors, was presented to Rotary International by Derya Sensoy, DRR 1989-90 of District 2420, Turkey, on 23rd February 1990, by the following letter:

"Being the young generation of the 'Service Above Self' philosophy, we would like a certain day to be celebrated as 'World Rotaract Day' which would give us a chance for our voice to be heard with a common activity.

This day will also be an opportunity to make us approach each other sharing the happiness of being Rotaractors and will motivate us to create new ideas.

An activity shared by World Rotaractors will attract world attention and will enhance recognition of Rotaract. This activity should be at least at district level and it should have a group activity characteristic such as blood donation, public service campaigns etc. It should be kept in mind that the higher the rate of participation, the more successful the activity.

On the other hand, a declaration by the President of Rotary International about that day emphasising the humanist side of Rotaract and stating its philosophy will play an active role in the development of the Rotaract programme.

Moreover, it is important for the recognition of Rotaract to prepare a bulletin about the activities undertaken and to distribute it to related institutions, local authorities and the Press.

Based on the foregoing facts, we are requesting RI to accept the foundation day of the first Rotaract Club as the official "World Rotaract Day" and to celebrate it each year."

This proposal was brought to the attention of all Rotaract Clubs as one of the "Items for Consideration" prepared by the 1990-91 Rotary International Rotaract Committee (Group II, item 11). Following the discussions of Rotaractors, the proposal was put forward by the RI Rotaract Committee as a recommendation.

Then, after the Rotary Convention held in Mexico in June 1991, the Board of Directors of RI approved this proposal as a project to be implemented. And in 1993, due to the 25th anniversary of the Rotaract Program, World Rotaract Day was extended to World Rotaract Week.

Today, Rotaract Clubs are called upon to celebrate World Rotaract Week by completing 4 tasks:

Write a letter to or present a speech to a Rotary Club which does not sponsor a Rotaract Club;
Invite Rotarians from the sponsoring Rotary Club to the Rotaract Club meeting;
Attend the meeting of the sponsoring Rotary Club; and
Undertake a community project jointly with Rotarians, to raise the public awareness about Rotaract.

Last updated on Monday 30th of June 2008 by Ian Ball © copyright 2000 - 2010 Rotaract Club of South Perth

Rotaract is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious international professional development and volunteer service organisation of students and young professionals aged between 18 and 30. The Rotaract Club of South Perth, District 9470, Western Australia, is sponsored by the Rotary Club of South Perth-Burswood. ~~ May Peace Prevail on Earth! ~~