Challenges facing Rotaract..?

Participants at forums such as Interota and the Rotaract Preconvention have raised a few issues that they consider to be important to Rotaract's future, but only a relatively small number of Rotaractors (and in some cases, the same people) have been able to attend such conferences and have their say.

We want to hear from as many of you as possible as to what you believe are some of the core issues affecting Rotaract that need to be addressed (aside from those covered in earlier posts, such as the age limit and Rotary / Rotaract relationship).

Is there something you think needs to be changed? If so, why?

Is there something that is just not being implemented in your district, which you think needs more outside support, such as training? Is there something you have seen work well in another district or country, that you just can't get support for locally? If so, how do you envisage this being addressed from beyond the district level?

Please leave your comments here, along with an indication as to where you are located to help us see if some problems are localised to a region, or perceived to be an issue all over the world.

The Rotary / Rotaract Relationship

The Rotary / Rotaract relationship is one of the issues that has been raised by the RI Rotaract committee that needs to be addressed in many parts of the world. In some countries, the relationship works well, whereas in others, the relationship is extremely poor. We are keen to know what works, and what doesn't.

We want to hear from you: What has been your experience with working with Rotary Clubs / Rotarians? How can it be improved?

We are especially interested in finding out the following things in your district:

1. Relationship with the DG

• What is your DG's relationship with the DRR and the Rotaract clubs like?
• Has your DG ever visited a Rotaract meeting or project?
• Does the DG meet with Rotaractors in your district at any stage, prior to or during his/her term of office?
• How much does your DG really know about Rotaract in your district?
• Does your DG invite the DRR or other Rotaractors to Rotary district meetings?
• Do you invite your DG to District Rotaract meetings or events? Does he / she attend when invited?
• Does your DG allow Rotaract news to be included in their DG newsletter?
• Do Rotaractors receive a copy of the DG newsletter?
• Do you think it is appropriate for DGs to be involved in organising a Rotaract leadership training day?
• In what way can we better inform DGEs about Rotaract in general, and about the clubs in their district in particular?

2. Relationship with Sponsoring Rotary Clubs

• How active a role does your sponsoring Rotary Club play in relation to your Rotaract club? It is also useful for us to know how long your club has been running for, to assess whether Rotary clubs start off being active in order to charter a new Rotaract club, and then gradually forget their obligations to support Rotaract.
• Do you conduct joint service projects with your sponsoring Rotary club? How successful have they been, and how "joint" are they? Does your sponsoring Rotary club just view Rotaract as a "slave labour force" or do they allow you to fully share the organisation of projects?
• Does your sponsoring Rotary club invite your club members to special events?
• Does your club invite your sponsoring Rotary club to attend special Rotaract club events? Do they attend?
• Do members of your club attend meetings of your sponsoring Rotary club? If so, how often? Do they charge you a fee to attend?

3. Graduating from Rotaract to Rotary

• How many Rotaractors make the passage from Rotaract to Rotary in your district?
• Does your Rotaract club notify Rotary clubs of Rotaractors who are approaching 30?
• How common is it for Rotary Clubs to follow up notices of a Rotaract alumnus who is now eligible to join Rotary?
• Do Rotaractors decline invitations to join Rotary? If so, why?
• Do you think the best solution is for past Rotaractors to join together to form a new Rotary club (such as a New Generations Rotary club), if they are unable to unwilling to join an existing Rotary club? Or is there another way?