By Rotary International

Editor’s note: This is the last in a series of blog posts from Youth Leadership All-Stars, participants in Rotary’s programs for young leaders, in celebration of Youth Service Month.

By Riley Benton, a member of the Interact Club of Coffee County Central High School, Manchester, Tennessee, USA

I had already participated in different service projects when I joined Interact in my freshman year of high school. I have been a member all four years of high school, and it has shaped me into a servant leader.

Painting a free lending library for a community reading program.

We have undertaken a great number of projects including collecting money to eradicate polio, bringing cupcakes to the elderly, and joining with the Rotary Club of Manchester Noon to clean up local rivers. Perhaps one of the most satisfying to me was joining forces with We Are Neutral to retrofit low income housing.

I’ve also taken part in projects outside of Interact, where I have used the leadership I have learned through Interact. The rural Appalachian area where I live is served by a volunteer fire department which is partially dependent on fundraising. I have helped plan and build a haunted house every Halloween, the chief fundraiser …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

Evan Burrell and Rotary staff at the 2014 Rotary Convention in Sydney, Australia.

By Evan Burrell, Rotary Club of Turramurra, New South Wales, Australia

In just a few weeks, the whole family of Rotary will be converging on Atlanta for the annual extravaganza we call the Rotary International Convention.

Those of you who know me know that spending six intense days with a large group of people is something that I really do look forward to. So I can’t imagine a place I’d rather be than in Atlanta with my many friends. But anticipating the event got me thinking about what specifically I look forward to in a Rotary Convention. There are so many things I had a hard time narrowing it down. But here are six, in no particular order.

Having loads of fun and laughs. My best experiences have always been the social events, because you get to see that all Rotarians, no matter their age or background, have a passion for fun, and a fairly unique sense of humour.
Meeting new people. Convention provides the ultimate opportunity to network. Often Rotarians from other regions of the world can become valuable resources for collaboration on new projects. Getting to know new people will …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

Hunted for body parts and isolated by fear, Tanzanians with albinism find safe futures with help of Rotary, Sister

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Source:: Rotary.org

By Rotary International

Rotary Peace Fellows from the University of Bradford visit World War I sites in France and Belgium.

By Holly White, Class XV, Rotary Peace Center at the University of Bradford, England

Earlier this month, I took part in a tight, four-day trip to World War I battlefields and commemorative sites in France and Belgium with other Rotary Peace Fellows at the University of Bradford (including one Fellow’s sweet, energetic daughter!), host coordinators, and a few others connected to Rotary.

From the perspective of a Peace Fellow, it was interesting and, at times uncomfortable learning about the “Great War,” and how war is interpreted, commemorated, and, at times, glorified. Within the company of our group we had many moments of reflection alongside thought-provoking conversations about how war memorials and commemorations can be powerful sites of dialogue and reconciliation.

What does the site aim to do? Who is the intended audience? How is history portrayed? Whose story is being told? What voices may be left out? How does power play out in the initiation and maintenance of such sites? During the trip, and maybe even more so afterwards, there was space to ponder these questions, as well as honour what was lost.

A …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

Members of the Rotaract Club of Trenque Lauquen donate toys during a community breakfast attended by 100 children.

Editor’s note: This is part of a series of blog posts from Youth Leadership All-Stars, participants in Rotary’s programs for young leaders, in celebration of Youth Service Month.

By Nicolas Silva, member of the Rotaract Club of Trenque Lauquen, Argentina

Four years ago, our club undertook a project called “Todo Sirve,” which literally means “’everything serves.” We collected donations in our city, including food, drinking water, clothes, children’s toys, bikes, and beds for an aboriginal low-income community, the Qom village, located in Formosa, a northern province of Argentina.

I will never forget hearing the word “gnashek” (Qom for ‘thanks’) from a woman who I was giving a box of donations to.

In that moment, my whole world stopped, and I understood how interconnected we all are. So many things that I take for granted, others need and sometimes have to do without.

More than friendship

I joined the Rotaract Club of Trenque Lauquen in 2013 looking for new friendships, but I’ve come to realize that Rotaract is so much more. I’ve been president, vice-president, and currently treasurer of my club. And I find that being in Rotaract …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

Rotary program boosts scientific literacy in Taiwan’s

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Source:: Rotary.org

Linked through sister cities, Rotarians save newborns in

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Source:: Rotary.org

By Rotary International

Maire-Paule Attema, right, and host Rotarians in Brisbane, Australia.

By Marie-Paule Attema, a Rotary Peace Fellow at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

After months of anticipation, I finally arrived in Brisbane, Australia, where I will be for the next 18 months while I pursue the Masters of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Queensland Rotary Peace Center.

I quickly felt at home after being picked up by our “Australian parents,” who have been extremely helpful in our transition. I have enjoyed the pros and cons of Australian living as I have quickly adapted to 30 degree weather in March and travelling via a ferry that feels more like vacation than public transit. I have also survived Cyclone Debbie (experiencing my first ever rain day) and have been sure to watch my step for snakes and spiders. I have also learned to stay out of the Brisbane River. Bull Sharks are everywhere!!

The staff at the University of Queensland Peace Center have been incredibly welcoming and helpful. I was rather anxious returning to studying after six years, but after only one month I feel inspired and prepared to undertake my program. I’m both honored and …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

Ambanpola, second from left, packing 10,500 food packets for Haiti with members of Rotaract.

Editor’s note: This is part of a series of blog posts from Youth Leadership All-Stars, participants in Rotary’s programs for young leaders, in celebration of Youth Service Month.

By Nipuna Ambanpola, a member of the Rotaract Club of Armstrong State University and former member of Interact

Volunteering has been a very satisfying component of my life. When I volunteer, it’s always about contributing my time and skills to enhance the quality of life of others in my community.

I joined the Interact Club of Royal College, the second oldest club and the oldest continuously functioning club in Sri Lanka in 2009. Since then I’ve been involved in Rotary through Interact and Rotaract. I served the Interact Club of Royal College for four years and the last year I was appointed as the president of the club. Then, I went on to accomplish my duties in the Interact District 3220 as the District Interact Secretary for 2013-14.

Studying in the United States

In 2015, I got a scholarship to study in the United States through the Georgia Rotary Student Program, …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

The Rotary Club of Lake Norman Huntersville initiative has given young professionals a club they can call their own.

By Elizabeth Davis, a member of the Rotary Club of Lake Norman-Huntersville, North Carolina, USA

What would happen if we gave the younger crowd a space to call their own?

This was the question that our club president, Kamlesh-Chandan (Kam for short) posed to us recently as we discussed how to recruit young professionals.

After a little more thinking, Kam and our club developed a term for our approach, YP 35 (short for young professionals under 35 years old). From there, we started to rally our members and members of other local clubs to seek out young professionals in the area who could call Rotary home.

A club they can call their own

It was an instant success. At an initial meeting to explore interest for YP 35, fourteen enthusiastic young professionals gathered to discuss their new club over food and drinks. Now, more YP 35 meetings and events are scheduled to take place.

YP 35 is a success because of how it’s structured. YP 35 was able to easily and immediately start up thanks to the mentorship and financial support of its host club the Rotary Club …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog