Rotary has a long history of service in the community; the original Rotary Club of Powell River was first chartered in 1955. Recently, the community’s two clubs, Powell River Sunrise Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Powell River, jointly sponsored the formation of a Rotaract Club.
Aimed at those aged 18 to 30, the hope is the club will bring new energy and ideas to the membership.
“I have wanted to see a Rotaract club in town because I have seen what a joyous, committed bunch these young people are,” said organizer William Mitchell-Banks. “They are Rotary's future.”
Rotaract came into existence in 1968 as part of the organization’s youth services initiative. Today there are close to 11,000 clubs in 184 countries with membership of more than 250,000. One of the keys of the younger club is more flexibility, added Mitchell-Banks.
“It is Rotary express; Rotary honed down to make it conform to the needs of young people of this age group,” he said. “Rotaractors can set their own schedule of meetings, they can meet anywhere they wish and there are no club dues.”
Two of the club’s first members, Esme Sturton and Jonathan Gordon, became involved with Rotary International as high school students. Both participated in the organization’s Interact Clubs for youth aged 12 to 18 and went on international Rotary exchanges as high school students.
“Jon and I met through the Rotary club as he went on exchange a few years after me and I was involved with the orientation weekends for outbound students,” said Sturton.
Both Sturton and Gordon are eager to get started on projects in the community and beyond.
“I would love to see a group of people who can come together to brainstorm ways in which we can serve others locally and globally,” said Sturton.
Gordon agreed that Rotary's motto: Service above Self, inspired him to become involved and he hopes others will join them.
“It's so important to be an active member of society and give back to the community around you,” said Gordon. “Rotaract gives us the opportunity.”
For more information about the Rotaract club, contact Sara Mitchell-Banks at [email protected].
