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Rotaract is an international organisation of service clubs for men and women aged 18 and above.
It fosters leadership and responsible citizenship, encourages high ethical standards in business and promotes international understanding and peace.
Founded in 1968 as a program of Rotary International, Rotaract allows young men and women the opportunity to give service to their communities while developing themselves personally and professionally through a spirit of fellowship and understanding. What started out as a single club in North Carolina, U.S.A. is now a global phenomenon of over 165,000 Rotaractors in more than 7,600 clubs in 158 countries worldwide.
Coined from the words Rotary in Action, Rotaract clubs are either community or university based and embodies the principles of service set forth by Rotary. Clubs organise 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 development, 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.
The relationship between Rotary and Rotaract
The relationship between Rotaract and Rotary had mostly been around sponsorship, partnerships and collaborations. But with the Elevate Rotaract initiative, things are starting to shift. Since the Rotaryan year 2019-2020, where the news has been shared about elevating the status of Rotaract Clubs to members of Rotary International and not just one of its programs, our clubs have been eager to do more, to accomplish more, to serve through fellowship more.
From removing the age limit to the possibility of acquiring Global Grants, this change has brought to Rotaract Clubs even more endless possibilities to the impact they can have on their communities. However, a lot of questions arose and baffled Rotaractors around the world. What are Global Grants? Do we still need sponsor clubs? What is the new membership fee? How can we use all these new opportunities to enhance our projects?
Even though elevated rotaractor clubs still work in union with their Sponsor club. Our sponsor club is Rotary Club of New Amsterdam. This year’s leadership is spearheaded by President Tajpaul Adjodhea and our New Generation Director, Keine Read.
The Rotaract Club of New Amsterdam
The Rotaract Club of New Amsterdam (RCNA) is currently sponsored by the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam.
The aim of the club is to develop knowledge and understanding of the needs within our community, to build goodwill and better friendships and to promote international understanding and goodwill towards all.
Rotary’s International Theme is: Imagine Rotary has set the pace of how our club operates. In addition, the Rotaract theme 2022-2023, is “Think Big”. The club’s theme for the Rotaract year 2022-2023 is “Educate, Innovate, Evaluate, GROW for a safe and sustainable society”.
The current board of directors includes; President Orletta John, Vice President Ellisa Jonas, Secretary Shaneesha Austin, Immediate Past President Garfield Pollydore, Treasurer Tiffany Joseph and other Dynamic Directors.
Last year the Rotaract Club of New Amsterdam held several impactful projects.
The RCNA professional development department held several online sessions, where their speakers spoke on burnout and the importance of self care, as this is an important part of life that we often take for granted. They also hosted a resumé session, this session benefitted both adults and high school students. In that session, the speaker shared the do’s & don’ts about Resumé Writing and interview preparation.
Further they held a ‘de-stresser’ program in collaboration with The Yoga Hub. This was done by three yoga instructors, where they taught the historical origins and benefits of using yoga for intentionally caring oneself.
As it relates to their International service department, they held a #IAMROTARACT and #IAMCARICOM with Caribbean-based Rotaract presidents.
They also hosted a Community Service in Focus project in August 2021, where they did a clean-up and rehabilitation of the New Amsterdam Special Needs School in collaboration with the Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central. Kitchen equipment was also donated to the Special Needs School.
Repainting of the pedestrian crossings at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute( NATI), New Amsterdam Public Hospital, Berbice High School, Pitt Street, Church Street and Savannah Park Nursery was also done.
World Literacy Day, 2021 is celebrated on the 08th September. On this day, members of the Rotaract Club of New Amsterdam were seen reading to students across Region 6 and even in Region 5.
With supplies from their longstanding Donor The Zain Xander Foundation, the Rotaract Club of New Amsterdam held their signature project Back-to-school drive, where they provided meals, stationeries and haversacks to Headmistress, grades Five and Six Students at the Lichfield Primary in Region 5 and Overwinning Primary in Region 6.
“Breast Cancer Awareness month is usually observed in October. During October, we at the Rotaract club would host our signature projects, the Cupcake sale. An annual walk-A-thon is also done, monies garnered from this sale and walk-A-thon is usually donated to the Guyana Cancer Institute. As of last year, the sale and walk-a-thon produced a substantial amount and that was given to the Cancer Foundation. A ceremony was also held where we reflected and honoured cancer survivors as well as
those who passed away from cancer. We also collaborated with the New Amsterdam Blood Bank & St. Mary’s Nursery School where members donated blood,” said High school teacher and President of the RCNA Orletta John.
For the Christmas holidays, members of RCNA decided to share Christmas cheer via another signature project, the annual ‘shoe box’ project. Members were placed in teams, where they identified kids who were in need, gifts were then placed into a neatly decorated shoebox and was distributed during the Christmas holidays.
The Club also copped several awards for various projects. These awards include: Large Club of the Quarter(1) Silver Award, Quarter 1: Top Ten Standings, ranked fourth in District 7030, Platinum Award, Second Place for International Service, (Book Exchange Project) and Second Place for Community Service (Back-to-school project).
The President, Directors, and Members extend thanks to Assistant Governor Elizabeth Cox, The Rotary Club of New Amsterdam, President Tajpaul Adjodhea and team, Kimberly Manbodh, Lead Assistant District Rotaract Representatives, Garfield Pollydore and Nichole Haynes, Assistant District Rotaract Representatives and Rotaractors of RCNA for their continued support and service.
“As it relates to our Cupcake Sale we extend thanks to; Easy Shopping, S.J & L Company, Cake N Things gy, Maya’s Gym, Conway’s Consultancy and Valuation Services, Gupta Distribution, Sterling Limited, MArt & MArt’s Giftery, Juggernath Entertainment, Bethel Methodist Church.
And for our Walk-A-Thon, we extend gratitude to Quality Deliverer, Lizzy’s Fish Shop, Automotive Paint Station, Artiga Law Office, SD & L Certified Accounting, Synergy Vertes, ExclusiveAuto Sale, R. Sookraj and Sons, Alleyne’s Academy, Food Erotica by Najuma, Wattson Catering Family restaurant & bar and the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam,” President Orletta noted.
