The idea for Rotaract emerged in the mid-1960s, building on the success of Interact, Rotary’s service program for young people founded in 1962. Rotary members sought a way to promote Rotary to college students and other young adults over the Interact age limit. The answer was Rotaract: a service program for men and women ages 17-25 that local Rotary clubs would sponsor. The idea became a reality in January 1968, when the Rotary approved the Rotaract proposal. Members of the Rotary Club of Charlotte-North, North Carolina, USA, had worked with local university students, and they seized the opportunity to sponsor a Rotaract club.
The first Rotaract club was certified by Rotary on March 13, 1968, at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In the weeks that followed, more Rotaract clubs were started in the United States, Mexico, Italy, and India. About a year later, Rotaract boasted more than 200 clubs in over 25 countries and geographic areas. Rotaract gives 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. It is now a küresel phenomenon, with 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 embody the principles of service set forth by Rotary. 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 to 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.
Rotaract is a club for adults ages 18 and above that meets twice a month to exchange ideas, plan activities, and projects, and socialize. While Rotary clubs serve as sponsors, Rotaract clubs decide how to organize and run their clubs and what projects and activities to carry out. Rotaract clubs are the youth arm of Rotary clubs and mirror Rotary’s ‘Service Above Self’ belief. They also focus on three signature service projects to serve the local community; professional development lunches with a bi-monthly guest speaker and engage our members and community with monthly service and social events. The relationship between Rotaract and Rotary had mostly been around sponsorship, partnerships, and collaborations. The Rotaract Club of New Amsterdam is sponsored by the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam.
Rotaract Club of New Amsterdam History
The Rotary Club of New Amsterdam sponsored the Rotaract Club of New Amsterdam. Due to Rotaract Ascension Status, they are now viewed as partners. This year’s leadership is spearheaded by President Rafeak Kassim, and our New Generation Director, Keisha DaCosta-Rodney. 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.
RCNA’s Logo
During the year 2023, the club hosted many activities, which included:
International Women’s Day Observances:
Celebrated annually on March 8th, International Women’s Day celebrations, the theme for the IWD 2024 campaign is ‘Inspire Inclusion’. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. Wombman Symposium Two is the brainchild of past president and high school teacher Orletta John. This is the second year, this impactful project is being done but this year it takes on a multidimensional approach.
This event, held on March 8, 2024, was an empowerment and mentoring event for teenage girls attending Canje Secondary School, New Amsterdam Secondary School, Berbice High School, and within Cumberland Village, Region 6. The Wombman Symposium Two aims to celebrate International Women’s Day by focusing on the empowerment and mentorship of teenage girls in secondary schools.
The primary purpose was to provide a platform for these young individuals to gain inspiration, guidance, and support from accomplished women in various fields. The symposium created an environment where the participants can engage in meaningful conversations, learn from successful role models, and develop a sense of empowerment that will contribute to their personal and professional growth. Over 100 girls graduated from this project.
One mentor shared, “Its safe to say that you (Orletta John) couldn’t have paired me with a better mentee… Little Ms. Peters has a bright future ahead,” while another said, “The matches between the mentee and mentor were definitely spot on in my opinion.”
The overarching theme for the event is “Empowerment and Mentorship,” emphasizing the importance of uplifting the next generation of women. The target group comprises teenage girls in secondary schools, a critical demographic where mentorship can have a lasting impact on future choices and aspirations. The event was designed to address the unique challenges faced by young women and provide them with valuable insights, skills, and networks that will contribute to their academic and professional journeys.
“To enhance the professional development aspect, the symposium will incorporate a mentorship program facilitated by Rotaract members. These mentors, accomplished professionals from diverse fields, will engage in one-on-one and group mentoring sessions, sharing their experiences and providing guidance on career choices, leadership skills, and personal development. The involvement of Rotaract members adds a
valuable layer to the project, as their commitment to community service aligns seamlessly with the symposium’s goal of fostering positive change through mentorship,” project lead Orletta John said.
Overall, Wombman Symposium Two was described as a transformative experience, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of the participating teenage girls. The IWD 2024 campaign theme is Inspire Inclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
- President Shamira’s views about the project
“We have been meeting and we’ve been trying to come up with something that would have an Impact. We threw it out to the membership to come up with random ideas and they came up with the idea to create an avenue where young girls could be mentored and young girls could also receive support.
“This program will give them an idea of what they could become and what they can do after high school. That’s when it’s all birthed and that’s when you see us pool resources and that’s what we came…….we didn’t want to use one particular level of school, so we decided to try to mix and target schools where there are girls who are willing to adapt.
“Currently, it is a 2.0 project, and hopefully, more girls can benefit from the monthlong symposium and social media engagement. It would be the panel discussions that the Trans each assessed. Women from our club and around New Amsterdam and would interact with these girls and teach them things, sort of like an apprenticeship program. This is just one of the many steps that we hope to take to make next year’s 3.0 project…..because this is a 2.0 from last year and we can target more girls and have a bigger impact on society.
“The takeaway that I want to have for this project is to invite persons of the public that are capable of educating, teaching, and/or mentoring young people. The initiative aims to create a supportive network for young girls offering guidance, mentorship and inspiration to help them navigate the challenges of adolescence and prepare for future endeavours…,” President Shamira added.
Mission
Rotary, is a nonprofit organization with well over 300,000 members most of whom are women inclusive of our young females in Rotaract clubs around the world. Our role is to continue adapting to the changing world, valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“One woman is strong, but a society of women grounded, rounded, and exposed to needed and deserving opportunity is ultimately the community that has the power to ensure that future generations of young girls understand the concept of worthiness and provide the nurturing needed in a safe and inclusive environment,” Shamira mentioned.
Goals of the mentorship program
This mentorship program will not fix the sorun but it will:
- Provide an opportunity that can ignite positive change evvel understood and adapted properly,
- Provide a means by which those in the capacity to create positive change
- Provide opportunities to young women and girls
- Encourage women and young girls that “HOPE” is a feeling that still exists and “COURAGE”, “DETERMINATION” and an “I CAN DO IT” attitude are what it will take to continuously grow and be empowered.
- Project Lead: Orletta John’s views on the project:
Vision
In observance of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, the vision was fueled by the challenges faced by young girls within the school system. After being offered a training opportunity based on empowering women and girls by Rotary International, 2023’s Wombman Symposium Project was revisited to make it more impactful. As such, the vision was solidified to forge a nurturing and empowering environment where every girl receives equitable access to quality education, mentorship, and essential resources.
“Through targeted programs and initiatives, we aspire to champion inclusivity, foster self-assurance, and cultivate resilience, empowering girls to emerge as leaders within their communities. Our vision encompasses a school system that not only educates but also nurtures and celebrates the diverse strengths and contributions of every girl, ensuring they are poised to excel and lead on the küresel stage,” Orletta said.
Objectives
This mentorship program will seek to cultivate a future where girls are not only academically proficient but also equipped to confront and overcome obstacles such as cyberbullying, online safety concerns, body image pressures, and mental health issues.
In addition, these objectives will be realised:
- Foster a supportive environment where young girls feel empowered to make informed decisions
- Provide comprehensive education and mentorship programs to equip girls with the skills and confidence necessary to navigate societal pressures and achieve their full potential.
- Promote inclusivity and resilience within the school system, celebrating the diverse strengths and contributions of every girl while advocating for equitable access to resources and opportunities
Future Aspirations for Wombman Symposium:
The sustainability aspect of this project is multifaceted. Utilizing digital platforms for mentorship minimizes the need for physical resources and reduces environmental impact. This program is adaptable hence consideration for it to be pitched to the Ministry of Education for inclusion in Secondary School programs is in our other phase of the project, it would not only provide an avenue for long-term funding but also ensure the project’s sustainability by integrating it into formal education systems, thereby extending its reach and impact beyond the duration of the project.
Others should come on board with this project because it offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of young girls and contribute to building a more equitable and inclusive society. Community Interest Groups, Youth Groups, all, when exploring the booklet would see how it allows for the provision of mentorship, resources, and empowerment initiatives and therefore would not only foster personal growth and development but also lay the groundwork for future leaders who will drive positive change in their communities. Ultimately, joining this project is an opportunity to invest in the future generation, create meaningful change, and contribute to building a better world for all.
Inspire Inclusion IWD Project 2024
The Rotaract Club of New Amsterdam extends thanks to our continuing sponsors and partners, viz., Easy Shopping, S.J & L Company, Cake N Things gy, Maya’s Gym, Gupta Distribution, Sterling Limited, MArt & MArt’s Giftery, Juggernath Entertainment, Quality Deliverer, Lizzy’s Fish Shop, Automotive Paint Station, Artiga Law Office, SD & L Certified Accounting, Synergy Vertes, ExclusiveAuto Sale, R. Sookraj and Sons, Food Erotica by Najuma, Wattson Catering Family Restaurant & bar, and the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam and their supporting partners.
Most recently, the RCNA received an award for From Rotary Zones 33/34, where the club earned the GOLD citation for the year 2023-2024.
This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and creativity of clubs in enhancing Rotary’s public image. The commitment to service and the innovative ways in which each of the clubs has communicated Rotary’s mission and values to the community are truly commendable.
On May 11th, the Rotaract Club of Georgetown collaborated with Rotaract New Amsterdam, to distribute deva packages to women in surgical, medical, and maternity wards at the New Amsterdam regional hospital. The packages included useful resources for the women. Things they can use in and out of the hospital.
During World Rotaract Week, they also held a financial literacy workshop. The facilitators were President Shamira, Rotarian Keshia, and Rotarian Charlyn.
