Drr Column
1
issue 7
3
D9200 Newsletter
More Than Words
Up Front
4
40 years of Rotaract
5
Rotary in Acton
A
january 2007
A Bulletin of the Rotaract District
6
Happy New Year to you all! The beginning of the Gregorian calendar year marks the mid-point of our Rotary year and I am glad to say that we are on the right track as far as our objectives for the District go. I would like to highlight some indicators. Many Clubs have responded to the 1st Quarter rankings (some positively…..some in shock!) and there is a promise of improved reporting. Look out for this at the end of January. The Rotaract District Conference team in Dar-es-salaam has been able to negotiate lower accommodation rates from USD 144 to USD 120 for the 4 days of the Conference. This shows commitment from the team to make the Conference affordable to the expected 300 Rotaractors. The district website is reloaded http://www.rotaract9200.org/ You can access it for all important District highlights and information. The District team has received nominations for DRR 200910, which represents continuity in District leadership. There are over 20 provisional Rotaract and Interact Clubs being mentored by various Rotaract Clubs which indicates potential for growth in the Rotary family… I urge each one of us to sustain these efforts at individual capacity and collectively as members of Rotaract Clubs. January is Rotary Awareness month and it is encouraged that Clubs organise activities that increase knowledge of Rotary and by extension Rotaract and Interact to both the Club members and the Community in which we operate. This is the opportunity to assess your relevance as a Rotaract Club in the community in which we serve. Does your Club’s presence add value
to the Community’s livelihood? Do your service activities address the greatest needs of your community? As we make this assessment, please remember that you are a member of this community and your assessment should be able to fit your intrinsic needs first before they can be effectively applied to the general society. Use the Rotaract objectives to guide you in determining the solutions. I have been privileged to visit all the Rotaract countries in the District in the 1st half, my last visit being Ethiopia where I met all the Clubs including the Provisional ones. The range of activities and level of co-operation between all the Clubs in pursuit of the Rotaract objectives impressed me. Looking ahead, I see the RYLA in Uganda (January) and RYLA Kenya (March) as opportunities for us to convene as clubs and re-energise the partnerships we have long enjoyed. I also urge you to register for the District Conference as per Rtr Nakilo Mugurusi’s email to the District recently. This will also help in addressing unforeseen issues to ensure your stay at the Conference is enjoyable. Finally, the humanitarian situation in Kenya has made me think that we (Rotaractors) need to establish a standard policy and coordinated response to similar happenings within our countries. Could we set-up Country Committees that will come up with procedures to mobilise Rotaract volunteer support to agencies that are front-line respondents to crises?. Suggestions are welcome on the structure of these sustainable country committees and their scope of engagement. Write to me on lawisultan@ yahoo.com. - Lawi Sultan
It is never too late to be what you might have been. George Eliot
Habari .. Amawulire .. Zena
Rotaract Calendar for January 2008 22nd: Rotaract Nairobi Central Ordinary Meeting Grand Regency Hotel from 6.00 pm. Theme: Speakers on living on Art/Music
RYLA-Kenya will be held on 15th March 2008 at the YMCANairobi from 8.00am to 6.00 pm under the theme:
‘’Transforming Youth to Leaders’’.
Registration details including fees shall be communicated later This will mark the climax of the Rotaract week in which it will be celebrating its 40 years......... so brace up for it!!!
Training Tip
Establish a relaxed atmosphere right from the start. Training should be informative but relaxed and enjoyable at the same time. Every session should start off on a high note to set the tone for the rest of the session. Be positive. You want to send the message that this will be fun. A good way to do this is by using humor, which has these benefits: • Relieve nervousness participants may feel • Sets the tone for the rest of the session • Gets participants’ attention • Demonstrates that although the session is serious, participants don’t necessarily have to be.
Training Tools
Have participants stand up and form a circle. Ask the group to identify the Rotaractor who has been in Rotaract the shortest amount of time and the one who has been in Rotaract the longest. Have those two participants stand on opposite sides of the room and then have the rest of the group fill in the space between based on their time in Rotaract. This icebreaker will get the group moving around as well as learning something new about one another.
January is Rotary Awareness Month
FACTS & FIGURES
1905 1910
: Paul Harris starts the Rotary organization in Chicago
: Rotary becomes international with the charter of Rotary club of Winnipeg in Canada
1930
: Rotary club of Nairobi, Kenya is started under District 55 which then covered up to South Africa
1956 1968
: Rotary club of Kampala is chartered in the then District 25
: First Rotaract club worldwide of University of North Carolina in US is recognized
1972
: Year in which Rotaract club of Mombasa gets RI recognition, 3rd club in Africa
1991
: D9200 co m p r i s i n g o f Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Eritrea is curved out from D920 which also comprised of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi
1,150 2,149
: Approximate number of Rotaractors in D9200 : Number of Rotaract clubs in India, highest number in
any country
3,500 7,978 159,560
: Approximate number of Rotarians in D9200 : Number of Rotaract clubs worldwide
Spread the word about Rotary! At your next weekly meeting, : Estimated number brainstorm ways to spread the word, such as: of Rotaractors • Share Rotary’s mission at a new member orientation. worldwide • Publicize Rotary club events to the community. Consider conducting a public relations training session. : Approximate • Update Rotarians on scheduled club and district activities planned number of for the coming year. A great place to do this is on your club and Rotarians worldwide district Web site or newsletter.
1,250,000
More than words ... A column by DBO Aamena
To the Rotaractors in the District, I wish you all a New Year that is filed with joy, happiness and peace. And to the Kenyans, I pray that you and your families are all safe and that you have returned to your work places. Not with a smile on your face or a bounce in your step because that is too much to ask for, but simply that you have returned. It is difficult to talk about the last few weeks. For the first time in my life, I went to bed with the sound of gunshots ringing in my ears and woke up to the sound of a fresh wave of gunfire. During the worst days, there was a perpetual humming sound in my ears from the shouts and exclamations of demonstrators who had taken to the streets; the whirring sound of cars as they sped off down the highway eager to escape the crowds; and the faint smell of smouldering wood in the air from the homes and businesses that had been burnt to the ground. It has been an experience that those in troubled countries are probably so accustomed to that it does not bear mentioning. But to Kenyans, who have enjoyed a peaceful and prosperous economy, who have been mediators in war torn African countries and who have been the beacon of hope to many others, it is a sad and sobering moment. My friend in Zimbabwe emailed me a few days and in her message, she says: “Have just been watching the news this week and it looks like life in Kenya is unravelling fast .... I’d rather have no power, no water and bank queues in Zim.... as opposed to tear gas in the streets of Nairobi....” Who would ever have thought that Kenya would be compared to the situation in Zimbabwe … and be found wanting! This month’s newsletter is short... and unfortunately delayed. For that I apologise. That said, there are a number of articles that are worth your time including: • the Up Front feature of Mutiga Wanjau on page 4, • a proposal for celebrating 40 years of Rotaract through a Debate and Disscussion Group, on page 5, prepared by Jingo Allan, and • a message from Rotary on how each of us can help those who are suffering the most in the Kenyan crisis, on page 6. Special thanks to Joseph Mawejje and Sylvia Birungi from Rotaract Kololo for the compiled quotations on Time, some of which I have included in this month’s bulletin.
“Rotary” Collecting water, ugali, blankets and other food stuff at Parklands Sports Club
“Concerned Women for Kenya” Collecting donations at St Mark’s Church, Westlands.
We must use time as a tool, not as a crutch. John F. Kennedy
UP FRONT Up Front is a monthly feature in the D9200 Rotaract Newsletter, which will recognise Rotaractors in the District who have made outstanding contributions to the Rotaract community. This month, we feature Mutiga Wanjau, IPP Rotaract Nairobi Central and Chair for the RI Rotaract Seminar Zone 10A, 2007. Mutiga Wanjau (below)
My proudest achievement: Climbing Mt.Kenya My most humbling moment: I have had quite a number. One of them is loss of a job following staff lay-offs My life wont be complete until: I pull off some adventurous moves like sky-diving and bungee-jumping The book currently on my night stand: I am a very poor reader. However, one of the few books I have read is Rich Dad, Poor Dad. This one I read from cover to cover, alpha to omega My favorite part of every rotaract meeting: Right at the beginning before meeting is called to order. This is the time I get to know or discover one or two more people in my life, especially the guests. When I tell people am in rotaract, they: wonder what Rotaract is......... No body in my club knows that I: .......was born in Bonn, Germany A famous person, living or dead, I’d like to meet: Mahatma Gandhi & Pope John Paul II My friends, think I’m: Easy-going If I could be any animal, I’d be: A pig...oops that was a slip of the finger...I meant an Eagle My earliest memory: Being driven around the neighbourhood by my dad in his (now former) VW Beetle. I was 3 years old!! The three things I would want with me on a deserted island: Swimming costume, beer & MP3 player The most impulsive thing I have ever done: Shouting at somebody in the heat of anger.......... The disc currently in my CD player: Eric Wainaina’s Twende Twende Three words that best describe me: Calm, reliable & funloving How did you first become involved in Rotaract: I learnt it through my elder sister who was one of the founding members of Rotaract Club of Nairobi East (this is something else that my club members don’t know). It took a while before the interest developed. My first Rotaract activity was Rotaract Nairobi Central (RCNC) year-end party in July 2001....I had a blast!!! How do you view your role as a Rotaractor: I have contributed to the District 9200 in various ways e.g Chairing the RI Rotaract Seminar for Zone 10A in September 2007. As a member of the VCT Management Committee, I have a responsibility in contributing to the guidance & sustenance of the Rotaract VCT Centre. Also, as IPP, I am duty-bound to support the current BOD of RCNC as it steers the club. How does Rotaract inspire you: It instills a sense of commitment and giving of yourself Who have been your greatest influence: My parents What do you feel are Rotaract’s greatest strengths: Youth & energy
Every morning you are handed 24 golden hours. They are one of the few things in this world that you get free of charge. If you had all the money in the world, you couldn’t buy an extra hour. What will you do with this priceless treasure? Author Unknown
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF ROTARACT IN WORLD ROTARACT WEEK (week of March 13th 2008)
Proposal by: Jingo Allan; Rotaract District Trainer
Debate and Discussion groups Objective: The proposed debate shall give participants an opportunity to assess the growth and future of the Rotaract organization by highlighting the successes and challenges it faces. The output to this series of debates and discussions should be renewed focus on how to improve effectiveness and visibility of the organization in each country. Participants: Rotary level: DG, Members of DRC, New generations’ officers, Rotarians Rotaract level: Members of RDC, Present Rotaractors Rotaract Alumni and interested members of the public Venues (organized according to convenience): Ethiopia: Addis; Kenya: Coast (Mombasa), Central (Nairobi/ Nakuru), Western (Kisumu); Tanzania: Northern (Arusha/ Moshi), Coast (Dar es Salaam); Uganda: Eastern (Mbale), Central (Kampala), Western (Mbarara), Northern (Gulu) Focus Questions: • Value addition: Is Rotaract providing an effective avenue to youth? • Purpose of Rotaract: Do youth understand what it is? • Effectiveness of Rotaract clubs: A dream or a reality • Rotaract extension across D9200: Choosing between Consolidation and Expansion • Empowerment and Mentoring of youth: What is the role of Rotarians? • 1972 – 2007: Has Rotaract added any value to its membership • 1972 – 2007: What are Rotaract’s achievements? • 1972 – 2007: What is it to be a Rotaractor? • Rotaract District Committee: How can its effectiveness and visibility be enhanced at club level? Organization: A combination of members of the RDC and DRC groups are to take care of the venue organization. Subsequent requirements for participants are to be communicated in time. Presentation: Video Footage / Power point show Duration: 20 minutes Target audience: Present rotaractors; rotaract alumni; Rotarians; member of the public; Interactors Coverage: All five countries in D9200 Period required: December 2007 – March 2008 Abstract: The Rotaract program has existed for over 40 years globally and in our district since 1972 when the Rotaract club of Mombasa was formed. The presentation shall highlight the transformation, growth and impact Rotaract has had upon youth in our Rotary district through the expressions of memories experienced. Research questions: • What value do you attach to the Rotaract program? • What do you remember as the most positive impact Rotaract gave you? • What inspires you about Rotaract? • What change/ growth have you seen within the Rotaract program of D9200 over the years? • What change should Rotaract undertake in order to ensure its future sustainability? Resources required: • Research questions • Video and photo cameras plus operators • Video editing facilities • Photographs and video clips of past and recent Rotaract events • Finances required for transport, compilation and editing of acquired footage.