E.R.I.C. Newsletter January 2012

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January 2012


Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

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Message from the E.R.I.C. President ear sisters and brothers in Rotaract, dear friends, This year, one of the goals of ERIC Board is promotion of European Rotaract in the World. International cooperation is one of the most important postulate of Rotary and in this moment we are overcoming our European bounds. Month after month we are receiving more and more calls from different continents and different organisations for cooperation. We are becoming recognized with our huge events and good organization. In that light Vice President Andreas Rath and myself will go to Bangkok to 3 conferences. First one will be "Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference", then Rotaract Pre-convention and of course afterwards Rotary Convention. We will promote further European Rotaract, our events, our spirit and our commitment to idea of Rotary. Do not be surprised if our next REM or EUCO guests will be also from Asia! During our Asian tour we will speak with President Kalyan Benerjee and this will be a continuation of a process of attracting the RI President to visit us in Moscow during EUCO 2012. We are very close to get this honorable decision which would be first time ever for ERIC to host RI president on its event. That would be of course a huge award for our work. The greatest value of ERIC becomes our REM's and EUCO's, as in past several years we are not having less then 300 participants for each event. I can tell you that even the biggest Rotaract and Rotary events are not more then 300 participants on average. Comparing to 500 participants in Torino and 800 participants in Moscow we start to play an important role in the Rotary world. New Interota organizers from Montreal will visit us in Moscow to find out how we manage this number of participants and in the same time we never had any serious problems. But we are not complacent, we are just proud - we will continue our work and in Torino we will present new EVENT MANUAL that will improve and will help future organizers to be more efficient and to avoid some difficulties that organisers have experienced in the past. Dear fellows, be active as much as you can, this is our call and our life time obligation. Let's show to the world what are real European values, how can East and West be together happy and successful. Let's make "International Rotaracting" :) Yours in Rotaract Darko Ĺ ovran

President of ERIC 2011/2012


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

REM Organising Committee greetings ear Friends Rotaractors, let me welcome you to Torino and to “REM Italy Torino 2012”!!!

President of the Rotary International, Kalyan Banerjee, with REM Team, Giorgio Gandus and Filippo Ogno

Benvenuti to the amazing atmosphere of the city of Turin, Italy's first capital city in 1861 and home to the House of Savoy, Italy's royal family. You will be enjoying your stay in a flourishing, industrious and cosmopolitan city, with a rich culture and history, known for its numerous Art Galleries & Museums, Churches, Palaces, Opera-houses, Piazzas, parks & gardens, Theatres, restaurants and many other features. It was one year ago when the 10 Italian Districts choose to organize a Rotaract European Meeting in the wonderful city of Turin and its Olympic settlements, a world recognized location for tourism. Now, one year from then, we have been working to design for you a 3-days event with the aim of enhancing existing friendship among Rotaractors and favor the creation of new friendships, new relationships and contacts, many long-lasting, others are simple and sincere pleasure to make a new contact. During this International Weekend we will have the chance to confirm, once again and more than ever, our close cooperation all over Europe and beyond, feeling great unity in an atmosphere of cultural diversity. We will share a great experience, based on conviviality and service, having fun together in a fantastic Rotaract environment and Italian Style. E.R.I.C. Board supporting REM Torino

We have condensed in 3 days a taste of Italian Style, History and Cuisine, from Pizza&Pasta dinner, to Italian Aperitivo passing from the option of visiting the Italian “Slow” Fast-food and Italian food-excellency market Eataly and a nice walk in the fashionable streets of Turin. Please, enjoy every single opportunity that this wonderful place will offer you. On behalf of all the Rotaractors and Rotarians that have been working for the success of this event, please let me wish you a great stay in Italy and in Turin. Federico Milanetti, HOC Logistics&Transportation Filippo Ogno, Country Representative Italy Giorgio Gandus, President of the Organising Committee


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

program THURSDAY – January 26th

SATURDAY – January 28th

15.00 > 00.00

09.30 > 13.00 REM - Rotaract European Meeting @ Sala aste - Intesa Sanpaolo

REM - Reps & Board Arrivals - Check in at assigned hotel

12:30 > 14:00

Lunch - discounted Lunch @ Frieda’s Pub

10:00 > 12:00

Tour - City Center and Museums Visit

19.00

REM - Italian Aperitivo

10:30

Workshop - Mapability Street action

21.00

REM - Dinner @ Frieda’s Pub

12:30 > 14:00

REM - Lunch - Packet Lunch @ Frieda’s Pub 14.00 > 15.00 Workshop – How Humanitarian Association works around the world Speaker : Mr. John Diksa - ShelterBox International Vice President

Reps & Board special group dinner 23.00

REM – Pub crawling @ Piazza Vittorio Veneto

14:30 > 15.30 Street action.

FRIDAY – January 27th

Speaker : Mr. Riccardo Dondi – Mapability Project (BESP 2011)

10.00 > 00.00 REM – Arrivals, check in at assigned hotel

14:00 > 16:00 Tour - City Center and Museums Visit

10:00 > 12:00 Tour – Free City Center and Museums Visit 12:30 > 14:00 @ Frieda’s Pub

Workshop - Mapability

·18:00

Lunch - discounted Lunch

REM - Return to the hotel

19.00 > 20.15 REM - Transport by BUS to the Gala

14:00 > 18:00 Tour – Free City Center and Museums Visit

21.00

18.00

REM – Return to the hotel

·00.00 > 03.30 REM - Gala Ball @ FIAT Industrial Village

19.30

REM - Open Cerimony @ TBD

The return rem-bus will start from 1.00 to 4.00

20.30 REM - Dinner and after dinner with Italian Aperitivo till midnight @ Buck’s Pub 00.00 REM - Disco night: Pub Dance @ Frieda’s Pub / Erasmus Party @ Lapsus / Fashion Club @ 10xPrince Club / Pub Crawling @ Piazza Vittorio Veneto ..:: follow your rabbit guide ::..

REM - Gala Dinner @ FIAT Industrial Village

Finally, the gala dinner, will host you in the heart of Italian Made in Italy worldwide known: the FIAT main showroom. Italy will surround you with beautiful old and new cars in a modern and cosmopolitan atmosphere. What to say you more? Vi aspettiamo a braccia aperte! We want you @ REM REM Organizing Committee


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

Round Trips by Mikolaj Dragović, Marketing Officer, E.R.I.C. Board

here is no better way of traveling then Rotaract traveling.

Slovenia Trip

Of course this is not a huge discovery for all of you that I have been meeting on E.R.I.C. conferences during all these great years. It is enough to participate on E.R.I.C. conference once to get hooked for lifetime. No wonder we keep crushing all these conference sites during registration period. But conferences are not the only way to travel. Round Trips are as good if not better. So, here is a brief overview of Round Trips happening in the past in Europe and wider (some of the trips are also covered more in detail in this newsletter). Following links are a good starting point to look for fresh details as many of these trips are cyclical. List is not exhaustive, so keep ears and eyes open. The list may also be a good starting point to organise such Trip in your own country. The idea of Round Trips is spreading and increasingly more countries are joining in to organise it. No promotional leaflet or advert will promote your country as well as a happy Round Tripper will. Ask me about my favourite country and I will bore you for hours with stories from countries that were so kind to host me on Round Trip:)

Ukrainian Trip web: www.ukrtrip.info dates: June, for 10 days fee: 65 euro number of participants: 10

Slovenia Trip web:http://www.rotaractljubljana.si/wordpress/?page_id=110 dates: July, for 10-12 days fee: 100 euro number of participants: 10

Poland Trip Many thanks to Olga Chyueva from RAC Yalta for preparing this list. Mikolaj Dragović Marketing Officer E.R.I.C. Board

web:

http://www.polandtrip.rotaract.alte.pl/index.php dates: May, for 10 days fee: 60 euro number of participants: 10


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

Round Trips North-West Italy Roundtrip web: http://www.rotaracteurope.org/?q=node/230 dates: March, for 10 days fee: 60 euro number of participants: 8

Portugal Trip web: http://rotaractportugaltrip.blogspot.com/ dates: August-September, for 9 days fee: 200 euro number of participants: up to 20

Hungary Roundtrip web: www.rotaract.hu/hungary-roundtrip-2010 dates: April, for 10 days fee: 80 euro number of participants: 8

OK..., but what are Round Trips anyway ? Trips lasting usually one to two weeks, organised jointly either by clubs from the whole country or from specific district/region. Program usually includes traveling from city to city where local Rotaract Clubs organise cultural programe and fun time (lots of it). Participants (usually 5 to 10 of them) dont’t have to worry about accomodation or food, all is provided by organising clubs. Participants only pay a small fee and take care of return ticket home. Competition for a place on such trip is high sometimes more then 10 applications are filled in for every single place.

Ukrainian Trip

Holland Rotaract Roundtrip web: http://hollandroundtrip.rotaract.nl/index.php dates: June-July, for 10 days fee: 60 euro number of participants: 8

German trip web: http://www.germantrip.rotaract.de/assets/file/Flyer%20 Germany%20Trip.pdf dates: June, for 5 days fee: 200 euro number of participants: 4-8

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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

Round Trips (non-european) Lebanon Trip

Pacific Mexico Trip

web: www.thelebanontrip.com dates: September, for 7 days fee: $100 number of participants: 5

web: http://www.mexicantrip.org/ dates: June, for 15 days fee: $200 number of participants: 6

Western Australia Trip web:

https://sites.google.com/site/rotaractperthtrip/home Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104418402960193 dates: April, for 10 days fee: 100 euro number of participants: 8

Sri-Lanka Trip “Escape to Paradise� web: http://www.rotaractclubofcolombo.org/ dates: January, for 10 days fee: free of charge number of participants: 10

Tunisian Trip web:

http://www.fichierpdf.fr/2010/05/24/q09o7i2/tunis ian%20trip%20(1)(1).pdf Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10685513601 3638&ref=mf dates: July, for 9 days fee: 60 euro number of participants: 10

Vancouver-Canada Roundtrip web: http://www.rotaract5040.org/vancouver-

canada-round-trip/ Lebanon Trip

dates: August-September, for 10 days fee: $365CAD number of participants: 5

Indonesia trip web: http://trip.rotaract-indonesia.org/,

http://trip.rotaract-indonesia.org/ dates: June, for 10 days fee: 150 euro number of participants: 6


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

Slovenia Trip welcomes you! by Uroš Šinigoj, Country Representative Slovenia

Slovenia

very year, in the month of July, Slovenia brings together 10 Rotaractors from around the globe. Switzerland, Mexico, Turkey, Ukraine, Spain, Nepal, Belgium, you name it. Participants come for 12 days, and explore Slovenia with our Rotaract clubs. The capital city Ljubljana, the most known Slovenian turist attractions like the lake of Bled and Postojna cave, Lipica horses, waterfall Kozjak, the small and beautiful Slovenian sea, the famous festival in Maribor called Lent ... North, south, west, east,

The nature you will enjoy,

it's all there. On the other side, we have the fun part of the trip; prestige cocktail party in Celje with hundred of Rotaract friends, party in the middle of vineyards in Nova Gorica, party on the boat at Slovenian sea. Twelve days of pure pleasure. Let's see how 2011 trip looked like, through the words of organizers: the relax time you will have, RAC Celje is one of the hosting clubs for Slovenia trip. Every year participants spend 3 days in Celje, Slovenia's third biggest city, and around. In the last Trip we decided to host all participants in our homes, because we believe it is a great oppurtunity for people to get a real feeling of Slovenia. In the three days we organize sightseeing (historical walk through the old town Celje, Castle of Celje), visiting museums (Pokrajinski muzej Celje,

the good food you will eat,

Fotoatelje Pelikan) and ice-breaking games, which connect the group. Every evening there is a party, the second night is dedicated to our traditional RAC Cocktail party. Cocktail party determines the end of the rotarian year and the new board takes the lead. The last day ends with a traditional Slovenian meal, typical for Savinjska region. by Tea Kasnik, president of Rotaract club Celje

the talents you will be able to show, local wine called Cviček. On Monday we went to visit island

Our journey started in Celje and continued towards Dolenjska,

Otočec and its castle and then an open air museum in

where we spent a pleasant afternoon by the pool at the Spa

Kostanjevica. After lunch, we went canoeing on the river Krka.

resort in Šmarješke Toplice. After a short rest, we went to nearby

Enthusiasm encouraged by very high temperatures caused

cottage, where we had a picnic with homemade goodies and a

some of the participants to jump into the river Krka with their


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

...continuing from the previous page clothes on. In the evening we had a bowling tournament, but the "celebration" lasted all night until the early morning hours. We saved the best for the last and took our guests to the most famous Slovenian attraciton, Bled. We are sure that most of the participants will remember the beautiful castle, a wonderful

Slovenia

view of the lake with an island in the middle and mountains surrounding the lake. After sightseeing we had lunch with traditional Slovenian dishes. Full of impressions we drove back to Ljubljana, where our part of running the camp was officially over.

where one of the most important battles of the 1st World War took place. Later in the evening we had traditional barbecue

by Matej Jordan and Blaž Glavič, presidents of Rotaract club

and party at Tine's weekend house in the middle of vineyards of

Novo mesto and Rotaract club Grosuplje

Vogrsko. The next day after breakfast we showed them around Nova Gorica and drove them to the land of good white wines Goriška Brda. We climbed the tower of Gonjače. Up there is the most beautiful view on surroundings, on a good day you can see the sea a hundred kilometers away. After lunch we went to see Solkan's bridge which has the largest stone arch in the world. In the afternoon we showed them a little bit of Italy: Rilke's path in Duino and Miramare castle near Trieste. by Katjuša Leban, president of Rotaract club Nova Gorica

the fun you will have

We wanted to show the participants the beautiful Soča valley that's why we decided to drive them to Kobarid. First we were walking to amazing Kozjak waterfall and then listening to our tour guide An who explained us all about this region and its historical value. Kobarid and Soča valley are areas the fun you will have (part 2)

the friends you will make


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

...continuing from the previous page

Slovenia

Few years ago, we came to an idea to combine several ingredients and cook something delicious. So, we mingled

and a place you will never forget.

tasteful cuisine, marvelous vine, extraordinary music, openminded people and last, but not the least ingredient – charity. What we got - The evening of charity and cuisine. It is

Why you have to come to Slovenia trip? It's 12 days of pure pleasure, it's jam-packed with activites (sightseeing, parties...) (so you better be in good shape), You'll meet people you will like from around the world, Slovenian Rotaractors are cool! and it's one of the cheapest trips in Europe – we (with the help of Rotary) finance most of the trip. Best wishes, Uroš Šinigoj, Country Representative for Slovenia

traditionally held in the peaceful, beautifully designed, highclass restaurant “Rožmarin” in Maribor on the last Saturday of November. Our club organizes it by sharing responsibilities and mutually trusting each other. We always try to maximally use the skills of our members, so that everyone feels the power of the eternal battle to help the ones in need. Firstly we set the goal who are we going to help with the money we are going to collect and how much will cost to organize the event and collect the money. Then, we make the list of desired achievement in precise amount of time. Finally, we share the tasks. One group takes care of the donations and the auction,

PS.: This year we are preparing something special ... so: - mark July in your callendar and inform all of Rotaractors to do

the other of the cultural background of the event, the third

the same! Be the first to register (on website www.rotaract.si)

one cares about the suitability of food and drinks. One group

... it's going to be buzzy, for 2011 trip we had 80 applicants!!)

does the marketing and sells the tickets for the event. Our president actively participates and coordinates the groups and during our meeting we share ideas and evaluate our achievements.

charity and cuisine

At the end, despite the bad weather in Maribor, on the 26th of November, we managed to collect 5000 evros and donate it to Youth centre for troubled children and Troubled children and

F

ellowship through service“ is considered to be the motto of Rotaract and we respect it. However, as strong and capable individuals we tend to improve everything we are involved

in. Therefore, we decided to improve it. Rotaract club Maribor supports the premise „Friendship through service and pleasure“.

teen. At the same time, our guests enjoyed the music, conversations with their acquaintances or friends and good cuisine Rožmarin offered to us. Sara Nikolić Rotaract Club Maribor


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

International

Rotaracting in

Germany

Germany

by Doris Grimm and Annette Alt, Country Representatives Germany

B

y the mere fact that our member base is so huge and diverse we have a lot of different international projects and Rotaractors interested in international events.

Twinnings According to our statistics we have about 70 twinnings, some more active than others. What do clubs do for keeping their winning relation alive? Some clubs like the twinnings between Berlin and Bern (Switzerland), Memmingen and Meilen (Switzerland), Offenburg and Bergamo (Italy) as well as Münster and Groningen (the Netherlands) just meet yearly while the clubs of Freiburg, Colmar (France) and Basel (Switzerland) even hold triangular meetings where they show each other their respective Twin Clubs Lüneburg - Stellenbosch cities or hold special meetings like ski weekends, etc. The Rotaract Club of Frankfurt (Oder) – Slubice has been supported by their twin club in Lviv, Ukraine as they also send children's´ pictures for the calendar that Frankfurt compiles and sells for raising money. In 2010 the Rotaract club in Lueneburg took third place in the TCA for their twinning with RAC Stellenbosch in South Africa. They established contact by holding skype conferences and Stellenbosch got to know Lueneburg through a video that the Lueneburg Rotaracters filmed. After raising money for a school in Stellenbosch, four Rotaracters from Lueneburg personally delivered the purchased school supplies and helped out at the school. Another outstanding project is between the clubs of Bad Wörishofen and Nabeul Néapolis in Tunisia. When the Germans

heard about the next project the Tunisians are going to tackle, namely the renovation of run-down houses in the slums of Neapolis, they were up to help right away. The first step was fundraising. Therefore, a classical concert with beneficial reasons took place in Bad Wörishofen. Besides prior uncertainty the concert hall was sold out and thus a real success. Not only did the audience experience nice cello, clarinet and piano music but also did the concert generate revenue of 1.200 Euro that the club of Bad Wörishofen will deliver personally to Neapolis. That will be the second step as they will also help hands-on in the much needed renovation work. Also in the center of Germany there is a club that participated in an international project. The RAC of Göttingen yearly organizes a “Profs at Turntables” event where some professors from the university act as DJs in the local pubs: an event that has become a yearly highlight within the city. The club was still looking for a good cause to give the funds to when at the REM in Sofia the RAC of Kyiv-Centre presented their business plan with the goal to establish a medical centre in the region of Besidka two hours from Kyiv. The professionalism of the Ukrainians really impressed the RAC of Göttingen and thus a few members went personally on the interesting trip to personally experience Besidka and the project as well as deliver the enormous amount of 8.500 Euro. With this money general medical service can be brought back into the quiet and peaceful village as basic medical equipment was bought so that first-aid can be delivered again. Lüneburg - Stellenbosch Twin Club Tour 2010


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

...continuing from the previous page Another major part of international Rotaracting for us is taking part in international events like for example the Interota that took place in November from which we want to share the experiences:

It's easy to be different but it's very hard to make a difference - Interota in Hurghada, Egypt Rotary in Transition, this was the motto of the Interota and 14 German Rotaractors followed the call when the Rotaract Clubs of Egypt invited us for this truly international event. From the very beginning we could already see that although we were all from different countries, we also had one thing in common: Rotaract. Thereby it seemed that problems of one country do not stop at the border, especially when it comes to discussions about how to recruit new members or how to motivate the current members. With more than 30 nations we could discover the cultural differences while exploring the real Egypt: a boat trip on the Nile, the graves in the Valley of the Kings or the dessert, all of us Germans were amazed by these true treasures of Egypt. However, we were not only there to visit all the sightseeing but also to do some social work and therefore, we went to one of the poorer areas of Hurghada in order to clean up the waste there. We were really happy to see some children starting to pick up some of the waste themselves in the end. This way we could really "be the change you wish to see in the world" (Mahadma Gandhi) The meeting was definitely one of the highlights of this year, as we not only experienced a greatly organized event but also because we as German Rotaractors received an award being the most participants after the Egyptians and this way could really convince ourselves that “to Egyptians impossible is nothing” (Mona Arlsan - Chairwoman of the Hosting Organization Committee). We are already looking forward to Canada, when it is time for Interota 2014!

Germany

Rotaract Germany Round Trip

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n 2011 we for the first time also carried out a “German Trip Tour” through various German cities. The Rotaract Germany Round Trip that took place between the 2nd and the 7th of September was a premiere. The route included Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt and Mannheim and finally ended in Heidelberg. The main organizing club under the leadership of the current president Jonas Moßler was the RAC Heidelberg. In cooperation with the Rotaract friends from the various other cities, the core idea of generating unforgettable moments by a great cultural journey through Germany was made possible. The trip started in Hamburg with seven participants of which two Englishmen and a Malay and later joined by foreign guests from Serbia, Russia and Italy. German Round-tripers

The official program started with a casual get-together in the form of a pub crawl. The real sightseeing took off with a visit to the world's biggest miniature railway museum, a boat tour through the harbor and was rounded off with a relaxed beer in the sun and the obligatory visit to the famous nightlife district: Reeperbahn! But not only was the partying till dawn part of this experience. All members of the tour were informed of the area's history by means of a walkabout.


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

...continuing from the previous page The next day the travelling continued to Berlin in the private VW bus of Axel Ganter, guest of the RAC Heidelberg. There they were awaited by Nicholas Hartmann who carried out the walking-tour via the museum island, the Brandenburg Gate as well as the Reichstag. At night the international flair of Berlin was uncovered by an Africa dinner. After two days of experiencing German cuisine this was just the right German Round-tripers change of taste. Next stop was Frankfurt: the walk through the varied city with its old town, the financial district and skyline as well as the European Central Bank was rounded off with a dinner at the American Diner and a night-cap above the roofs of Frankfurt. The following day was also perfectly organized by the Rotaract club of Mannheim, namely Lukas Franke who also performed the city tour past the baroque style castle and various other sights. Mannheim is the city of mobility as the bicycle, car and tractor were invented here but also offers nice parks like the Luisenpark. The local specialties of wine and onion tart were enjoyed while the German summer was at its best with 30°C and sunshine. The participants of the tour could then experience the city from a different angle at the TV tower visit. Before a characterful Bavarian dinner a traditional student association was visited where even the female participants of the round trip could try their luck at swordplay. Last but not least, the tour arrived in Heidelberg where the castle of the city and the old town was visited. There was enough time for German souvenir shopping and pub crawling before the first Rotaract Germany Round Trip came to an end. All in all a successful event with unforgettable experiences for all involved.

Further Initiatives Last but not least, we also want to share with you a special initiative that one German Rotaractor took during her Ambassadorial Scholarship. Thanks to her and the support of Rotary, there is a newly established Rotaract club in the capital of Ireland, Dublin. But please read Sinéad McAuliffe's and Yvette Grave's article yourself:

Germany “It all began with an Ambassadorial Scholarship, a former Rotaract president elect and several dedicated Rotarians in the lovely city of Dublin… A German Rotaractor came to Dublin as an Ambassadorial Scholar to find six very active Rotary Clubs in and around Dublin Change President Dublin, but no Rotaract Club. Fortunately, the Rotarians themselves were upset not to have a Rotaract Club in their city and open to the idea of bringing the Rotaract Club of Dublin City back to life. A membership drive supported by all Rotary clubs culminated in a Rotaract Information Evening with over 30 people in attendance. Thereupon, Dublin City Rotaract started its own club life with various activities. We had John Ellis talk about “How to prepare your CV” and Matt Porter talk about his amazing work with the Masai Tribe in Kenya, we organised a pub-crawl, a walk around Howth (a peninsula North of Dublin), and a trip to the Guinness Storehouse (where they make the Guinness). Furthermore, we participated in fundraising activities such as the 5k FUN RUN in Phoenix Park and the Pier2Pier Walk in Dún Laoghaire as well as a collection at the turning on of the Christmas lights in Dublin City Centre. So, Rotarians and Rotaractors are proud to announce that Dublin City Rotaract is alive again and an active member of the Family of Rotary. Whenever you are in Dublin, find out for yourself how much fun Dublin City Rotaract is and visit us!”


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

From Portugese

Round-trip to

Netherlands one

The Netherlands

by Laura Verdegaal, Country Representatives The Netherlands

T

he number of Rotaracters from The Netherlands during REM and EUCO is getting bigger every time. Already five Dutch Rotaract Clubs have an European Twinclub. And more Dutch Rotaracters are participating in an international weekend or a Roundtrip.

Portugeese Round-trip

Celine Leenen – Rotaract Club Amsterdam – got the chance to join the Portugal Roundtrip summer 2011. This made her so enthusiastic that she decided to organise the second Holland Roundtrip in 2012! You can read here her experiences in Portugal and more information about the Holland trip. Yours in Rotaract, Laura Verdegaal ERIC Country Representative The Netherlands 2010-2012

Rotaract Portugal roundtrip: A truly amazing adventure Written by : Celine Leenen The Rotaract Portugal roundtrip 2011 took place during the last week of August/first week of September. We were prepared for a trip with an exciting programme including “cultural cities full of history, traditional villages, magnificent natural landscapes and lots of fun!” It was my first Rotaract trip and this sounded too good to be true, but to be honest… It all came true..

Lovely Portugal! All participants of the Roundtrip travelled to Lisboa on August 27th; very excited and looking forward to meet the

Rotaract roundtrip group. At the airport, our group received a very warm welcome by the Portuguese Rotaracters. Subsequently, we went to Alter du Chao, a village in a more rural area with many olive trees and were given a tour by one of the local Rotaracters of a nearby club. Very nice to taste the local food (fresh fish!) and really get to know Portugal. The first part of the week we visited several castles, traditional villages and historical horse stables, but there was also time for other activities like swimming. After a couple of days we got to know each other better and a very nice and close group was formed. We stayed at hostels in Porto (beautiful city


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

...continuing from the previous page centre, enjoyed local foods), Tomar, Lisboa and travelled to various other places including Coimbra (university buildings, and historical library) Aveiro (friendly city at the seaside) and Espinho (sea). At the end of the trip we stayed three days in Lisboa to explore this city. We enjoyed the wonderful area of Lisboa, including nearby Sintra. Our wonderful week in Portugal ended in Urban beach, a large night club with a beautiful view on the city.

The international group The roundtrip group existed of eleven enthusiastic Rotaracters, from different countries including Serbia, Lebanon, Bosnia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Slovenia, Greece, Turkey and El Salvador. A team of two Portuguese Rotaracters: Joana Pires and Riu Vila accompanied us during the week. This was a very nice way of travelling. It did not feel like a tourist group, because we were surrounded by Portuguese rotaracters in our group. This was very convenient and relaxing (for us), because it was very well organised. We visited several Rotaract and Rotary clubs, and met many members of these clubs. The meetings were very inspiring and we had interesting conversations about culture and countries. Halfway during the roundtrip an international lunch was organised. Everybody brought music and prepared food from their home country. It was a fantastic experience all together and the food tasted great. It was a great experience and I would really recommend every Rotaracter to participate in a Rotaract roundtrip if you have the chance to do this!! I would like to thank the following Portuguese Rotaract clubs for hosting and guiding us: Rotaract club Coimbra, Rotaract club Castelo Branco, Rotaract club Lisboa and all other Portuguese Rotaracters, with special thanks to Joana Pires and Rui Vila.

The Netherlands

Holland Roundtrip: the second edition! Due to this fantastic P o r t u g u e s e experience I was i n s p i r e d t o participate in the organisation of the Holland Roundtrip in 2012 The Holland trip will take place from the 29th of June until the 8th of July. The journey will begin and end in our capital Amsterdam, where participants will experience this beautiful city and all its temptations. In between the international Rotaract group will explore other parts of Holland, including a visit to Rotterdam (the biggest port in the world), Groningen (one of the student capitals) and Utrecht (with its historic centre). Dutch Rotaract clubs, and their members, will be hosting and guiding you during these days . More information and application forms will be available at: www.hollandroundtrip.rotaract.nl , find us on f a c e b o o k , o r e m a i l u s a t : hollandroundtrip2012@rotaract.nl


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

Rotaract

Overseas Project

United Kingdom

by Steve Read, Country Representative Great Britan and Ireland

R

otaract in Great Britain and Ireland has a busy year ahead, with its first National conference in three years being hosted at the Banbury Camping Rally in Oxfordshire, organised by Rotaract District 1090. Although a long-standing national event, this will be the first time that it will be as a national conference, including the usual guest speakers, workshops, awards and even a Sports Sunday. Every night entertainment is provided, and the Painting in Benin, 2006

event is set in a delightful area near Shakespeare's birthplace, with plenty of sightseeing available. The rally takes place from the 24th to the 27th of August 2012, and more details will be released later in the year. You can meanwhile Facebook "Banbury Camping Rally" to keep informed. . Also kicking off this year is the organisation of a new Rotaract Overseas Project, which may be being hosted in Kenya. Since 1995 Rotaract Overseas Projects have been to Romania, Tanzania, Ghana, Bulgaria, Malawi, Uganda,

Ireland Benin and Gambia, with both Rotaractors and Rotarians in attendance. Tasks are typically decorating, refurbishing or constructing. The aim of the projects is to promote teamwork and foster good working relationships between Rotarians and Rotaractors by carrying out a worthwhile overseas task satisfying the Rotary ideal of service above self. . Participating Rotaractors contribute their own travel and accommodation costs, staying in the local village in typical accommodation. They also have to raise money to sponsor the project they will work on, which will typically cost between ÂŁ12,000 and ÂŁ19,000. The team make use of local tradesmen, labourers and cooks, providing local employment and helping the local economy. Go Gambia, 2009


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

International activity

of Bulgaria by Angel Kanchev, Country Representative Bulgaria

E

very year Rotaractors from Bulgaria organize international projects or participate in such. Two of the joint projects organized during this Rotarian year are “Chance of Knowledge” and “Tell Me a Fairytale”.

Project “Chance of Knowledge” The idea for the purchase of Braille machines and donation to the school for blind children "Louis Braille" in Sofia was born spontaneously in a conversation between Stoyan Angelov from Rotaract Vitosha-Izgrev, Bulgaria and Yoana Tsvetanova from Rotaract Westminster, UK. Thanks to their initiative this idea became a joint project between the two clubs. In line with last Rotarian year's motto, they began to "build communities and bridge continents" in the name of the successful implementation of the project "Chance of Knowledge". In the process of implementation it became clear that in Bulgaria there are only two such schools-one in Varna and one in Sofia. A meeting with the director of the school in Sofia revealed that the last Braille machines were bought 25 years ago, and that the currently functioning two are in poor condition. These facts motivated the young people of both Rotaract clubs even more and helped them spread their charge to the members

Project Chance of Knowledge

Bulgaria of Rotary Club London, UK and Rotary Club Vitosha, Bulgaria. After the Rotararct clubs developed a detailed description and plan of the project, Rotary Club London decided to participate in the realization of the cause with a donation of £ 1,000. Rotary Club Vitosha participated in the project with the same amount of money. The collected amount of money is enough for the purchase of 4 new Braille machines together with four packs of special Braille paper. The project was completed on 21.10.2011 with the donation of the machines by representatives of the Rotaract and Rotary Vitosha- Izgrev to the school for blind children in Sofia. The event was marked by lots of positive emotions, joy, smiles and desire of all involved that this is the beginning of joint work on a series of similar initiatives.

Project “Tell Me a Fairytale” The project, which is currently organized by Rotaract Club Sofia- Center aims to collect and present the folk art of various nations, to prove that a beautiful idea can easily unite cultures and continents. Until March 1st 2012 the club will be collecting favourite fairy tales of clubs at international level. The stories will be gathered in a bilingual e-book, which will be sent back to the participating clubs. They will be retold to many Bulgarian children. In the future a paper version of the book is planned to be printed. In addition with common efforts the stories can reach hundreds of children throughout the world. An invitation for participation in the project is sent to Rotaract clubs in Europe, USA, Venezuela, Egypt, Pakistan and Morocco. Clubs from USA, Belgium and Serbia are willing to participate. If you are interested you may send your fairytale by the aforementioned date to the International Service Committee Director of the club, Ms Alexandra Ilieva at alilieva@hotmail.com.


18

Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

The Swiss way of

Rotaracting by Cloé Bernier, Country Representative Switzerland

Y

OU KNOW YOU'RE A SWISS ROTARACTOR WITH AN INTERNATIONAL SPIRIT WHEN…

Switzerland projects for your club! Brainstorming with Rotaractors who have a different way of thinking than yours can be very productive and open your mind to new ideas!

… you share experiences with hundreds of fellow Rotaractors from different countries during an international event like a REM, a EUCO or an INTEROTA… and when at the end of the weekend, you just can't wait for the next one! … you register for a REM and you barely care where it takes place, because you know the spirit of the weekend will be amazing, and the organizers will make you see the beauty of their city in a way you couldn't have discovered by yourself! Don't wait for the destination of your dreams to book your seat at a European meeting: they are all unique and there is no way you will ever be disappointed!

Italy, Ukraine, Egypt, Belgium and The Netherlands around the Swiss and Russian flags (Wroclaw, September 2011)

The Swiss Delegation at REM Amsterdam (September 2010)

… you're ready to meet new people you've never heard about, but because they are also Rotaractors, you know you have similar values. This spirit can be encouraging when you are the only one from your club who wants to take part in an international meeting. Actually, showing up alone at one of these events can make it even easier to get in touch with new people. Not being in a big group pushes you to make new friends without losing any minute! … you go to a presidents' meeting or a national conference and you look forward to seeing again the Swiss people you've met abroad! REMs and EUCOs are actually the perfect opportunity to get to know Rotaractors from your own country. Because even though Switzerland is a small country, we are unfortunately far from knowing a lot of people from the districts we're not part of.

… you've just registered for your first REM and EUCO and are extremely impatient to experience it! … you organize your agenda more than six months in advance to make sure you'll be able to take part in most of the upcoming Rotaract events! … you come back from a European event with your head full of

… you understand there is something higher than the countries' fences and that an organization can bring people together all over the world! … you're looking for your friends – and not just Rotaractors from foreign countries – at an international meeting! … you have one or more twin clubs or think about starting a collaboration with a club from abroad ! A few Swiss clubs are already twinning and REM Wroclaw made some others


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

...continuing from the previous page seriously think about it. The more you experience the international spirit, the more you want to experience it again! … you live close to the borders of Germany and France, and due to this location, it's easy to get together with Rotaract Clubs from these countries for a multilingual exchange. RAC Basel regularly meets up RAC Freiburg (Germany), RAC Strasbourg and RAC Mulhouse (France) for several activities and multilingual exchanges. … you've gotten involved with SHELTERBOX. Since June 16th 2012 is known as the International Shelterbox Day, the Rotaract Club Neuchâtel would like to invite you to join them at the « Childhood's Festival », a special day dedicated to children of the region. The aim of the event will be primarily to make the children have a great time with some animations, and at the same time be present as Rotaractors to increase the popularity of Shelterbox and raise some funds for the program. To achieve these goals, one action : release balloons into the air (like the ones happening during weddings), with cards attached to them, cards we'll have sold prior to June 16th and on the location too. So if your club hasn't anything planned for the International Shelterbox Day in June 16th 2012, feel free to join the Swiss forces in Neuchâtel. For more information about this event or to know which other clubs will have an action on this special day, please write an e-mail to cloe.bernier@rotaract.ch.

Switzerland dresscode. Too bad we were the only ones doing so (prove that I was definitely not at a REM !), but we had a good time anyway. » CLOÉ, VANCOUVER

When a local events become International RAC Neuchâtel and Médecins du Monde's version of 'FREE HUGS' at Paleo Festival (2010)

Traveling & Rotaract experiences « During my 5-month internship in Beijing, I had the opportunity to visit RAC Beijing several times. Besides RAC Shangai, it is the only Rotaract Club in China. It was very interesting to visit such an international club. Because of government restrictions, it is unfortunately not possible for Chinese citizens to become members of Rotaract or Rotary in China. Since the fluctuation of members and visitors is important, it is very difficult for the clubs in this country to grow healthy and steady, which is what we are used to in Switzerland. However, they had interesting activities and were very open to new visitors. No matter where you go, Rotaract is always an interesting place to meet new and interesting people. » GIANLUCA, BEIJING « Just before taking off to Canada, I contacted the Rotaract Club of Vancouver Yaletown, to inform them I was going to be in town for a few months and I wanted to take part in their meetings. I joined them a couple of times while they were planning an event. Since I couldn't help them with the preparations (I didn't know the city well enough and I had nobody to contact to book anything), I decided at least to show up at the event, a Masquerade Party. I went there with some friends, with a gala dress and a masque, according to the

On April 21st 2012, Rotaract Club Neuchâtel (D1990) will host a Gala Party for « Médecins du Monde » (Doctors of the World). The event will take place in Marin, a small village located a few minutes away from Neuchâtel, by bus. The highlight of the evening will be a Cabaret Show. We unfortunately can't give you much more information about the price of the event or the way to book your seat yet, but there will be for sure a european announcement through your Country Representatives. Stay tuned !

REASONS THAT WILL MAKE YOU LOVE THE SWISS ROTARACT SPIRIT (WE ALREADY DO ) 1.

We like cheese fondue and raclette and share it at least once a year with some other clubs at least once a year

2.

We (especially RAC Sion) can plan ski trips and be on the most beautiful slopes in a few minutes only


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

...continuing from the previous page 3.

We can drive for four hours to go to a presidents' meeting on the other side of the country, crossing five different landscapes, three different regions, all speaking a different dialect - and we like it !

4.

Our presidents meetings and national conferences have a taste of international events : when we are all gathered, the rule is « everyone speaks their own language », but when you have a chat with someone in particular, English can sometimes make your day a little easier !

5.

We like to join other club when they have a social action ; RACs Limmattal and Neuchâtel helped RAC Bern doing some make-up on kids' faces for KinderSpitex in October 2011, and several clubs are probably going to give a hand to RAC Limmattal for their action 2x Christmas in February 2012.

Switzerland

6.

We like to welcome foreign Rotaractors to our meetings and social events ; Anastasiya from Kyiv recently visited RAC Neuchâtel and got to try the famous Swiss fondue. That was a pleasure having her with us for a few hours ! We also like to take part in activities from clubs abroad : Vivianne (RAC Limmattal) traveled to Amsterdam and went to the Dutch Rotaract Kerstgala organized by RAC AMU (The Netherlands) in December 2011. She said it was an amazing trip and encourages everyone else to take part in such an event.

And that's just the beggining ! Do you feel like you could easily become a Swiss Rotaractor for a while ? Then you're more than welcome to come discover it by yourself ! You can find the information to contact any club you want on www.rotaract.ch (section « clubs »).

Why you should join RAC Neuchâtel at the Childhood's Festival (here in 2010)

How to keep in touch with Swiss RAC? ·

Official Website (incl. clubs information and a list of their events) : www.rotaract.ch

·

Facebook Group :

http://www.facebook.com/groups/2534710944/ ·

Country Representative:

cloe.bernier@rotaract.ch ·

International Calendar (where we try to have an exhaustive list of all events happening all over the world – if you have one to add, please write a short email to jacques.alexandre@gmail.com) :

https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src =inforac.lausanne@gmail.com

Rotaract Switzerland planting trees in Belgrade (REM, January 2011)

Cloé Bernier (RAC Neuchâtel), Country Representative With the collaboration of Caroline Blatti (RAC Basel), Diane Castella (RAC Neuchâtel), Gianluca Etienne (RAC Luzern), Jaël Lea Gebhard (RAC Mittelland), Vivianne Huber (RAC Limmattal), Alexandre Jacques (RAC Lausanne), Carla Keller (RAC Zürichsee), Maik Lustenberger (RAC Luzern), Carolane Revaz (RAC Sion), Michael Schaffner (RAC Limmattal), Anne Cécile Vonlanthen (RAC Zug) and Andreas Weber (RAC Luzern). THANK YOU


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

Weekend International

à Luxembourg by Irina Susarina, Country Representative Luxemburg

Luxembourg

T

here is only one Rotaract club in the country, which was founded in 1997. Since then we organise every year an international event! Have you already heard about the WIL? Ok, WIL stands for 'Weekend International à Luxembourg' – we are French speaking county. Every year in the summer time we welcome rotaracters from European countries to discover the country, exchange the ideas, make new friends and party together. Come to learn about the international flair of a modern European capital in the heart of Western Europe that is home to citizens of a multitude of different nationalities and cultures. Explore the day- and nightlife of a city that strikes through the contrast between a medieval old town city center and a modern ever-growing financial district. Very busy and hectic during working hours, the city becomes calm and quiet after all the commuting work-force has left the city and the locals meet in one of the many little bars and restaurants to enjoy dinner or just a little drink among friends. You can already have first impression here

organise companies' visit. Last year WIL guests stepped into a cargo aircraft! Saturday evening is a time for the traditional Gala-dinner after which you can stay and party over the midnight. And Sunday – we expect that you save a bit of energy from previous evening for our famous barbeque or for branch. In another words, we will be happy to show and share with you all what we are proud about our Grand-Duchy! This year WIL will be very special: we will celebrate our 15 Anniversary and you will be very welcome to share with us this event. Please check our website to have more information http://rotaract.lu/ or send us a request to inform you about WIL 2012 on wil@rotaract.lu. We want to see you in Luxembourg!

It starts at Friday evening and runs over the weekend. You will stay 2 nights at the modern youth hostel just with walking distance to old town and modern bars. As usual Friday evening we organise a welcome drink which later transforms into a dinner while our guests get know each other. Saturday morning we take the opportunity to show the treasures of our medieval capital, contemporary architecture and art, impressive natural sides or


Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

22

The Second Winter Rotaract Conference

in Sarajevo by Nemanja Kovačević, Country Representative BiH

R

otaract community in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a small and growing family that has only four members/clubs already managed to have an international event of its own in this rotarian year. For that we can thank one of the most active clubs in the country that comes from the capital: Rotaract club Sarajevo. At the beginning of December (09-11.12.2011.), Rotaract club Sarajevo organized The Second Winter Rotaract Conference in Sarajevo. The conference theme was "Public Relations as a tool for a larger Rotaract contribution to society.”

Bosnia&Herzegovina an opportunity to learn how to present projects to the public and how to create a positive image of the Rotary movement in our societies. The lecture was educational and informative, and organizers hope that participants will be able to use all of the proposals which will contribute towards the idea that the Rotary movement stops being associated with secrets in the public. Afterwards cultural and historical heritage of the Sarajevo were presented to the guest together with traditional food specialties and a taste of the night life. Total income from the conference participation fee was donated to help with healing and treatment of a medical school student Sanja Latić – Ramić, who is suffering from leukemia. In future some more similar projects are planned together with participation in international events such as REM in Torino and EUCO in Moscow and we are looking forward to the second part of the year. Members of Rotaract clubs in Bosnia wish you happy New Year and we are looking forward meeting you as many as possible.

At the conference they hosted Rotaract clubs from Belgrade (RAC Metropolitan and RAC Dedinje), Pancevo (RAC Pancevo), Niš (RAC Naissus and RAC Constantine the Great), Rijeka (RAC Rijeka) and Vienna (RAC Wien - RAC Stadtpark and RAC Vienna -Belvedere). On the first day conference lecture and presentation were held by a guest lecturer, Mr. Nazif Hasanbegović, PR expert and member of the Rotary Club Sarajevo. Participants had


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

REMember

Wroclaw

San Marino

by Letizia Cardelli, Country Representative San Marino

ear friends, During these months we really missed the great days spent in Wroclaw, the amazing people we knew there, the nights spent dancing all together, so that we decided to organize an event to celebrate that great week end: REMember Wroclaw. About 60 people from various Rotaract clubs in the Northen part of Italy partecipated, and the most of them were in Wroclaw. We spent the night in the beautiful frame of Mount Titano, the symbol of San Marino, having dinner in a panoramic restaurant and dancing until late @Peter Pan, one of the most famous disco club of the Adriatic Coast...drinking Vodka to render homage to Poland, obviously!

As regards a more National event, we had our first District Meeting, with about 200 Rotaractors from the 2070°, and it was a great opportunity for us to feel more involved, once again, in the District. During the afternnon conference, Giorgio Gandus and me talked to the others about REMs/EUCOs, bylaws, Country Rep, ERIC etc, and it was a pleasure for us to notice that everyone was very interested, and that a big part of the listeners asked us, once finished the meeting, how to participate, how to be involved in the amazing mechanism of the International Friendship.

Another particular happening that we really appreciated was the District Dinner for Christmas: the 6 clubs from Bologna – a big city quite close to San Marino – decided to try something new for this year (well, for the last one, now!), to creat an event which could get together the whole District befor 25th December, and after the last District Meeting in Reggio Emilia (which was very interesting and Internation, as far as the guys from the club invited 6 business people who explained us the reason of the succes of their brands all over the world, from the clothes to the food).

The District Dinner for Christmas was held on Saturday, 17th December, and it was a nice chance to spend a different evening in a beautiful ancient Villa with Rotaractors from the 2 regions of the District, Emila-Romagna & Tuscany. I really think it could be a nice idea to fulfill in every Country, if you don't already do that.

We will be soon hosted by our Rotary club to talk about the twinning they are making with the club of Moscow East, and it could be the first step for us to create a similar cooperation, maybe even all our 4 clubs together, in the case we could do that. They are planning to come to Moscow during the summer, but if the will decide to change idea they could partecipate to our Gala Dinner on 26th May. All those things and something more will be discussed in a few days. I wish you all the best for this 2012, and looking forward to meeting you all!

Letizia Cardelli San Marino


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

Down is

UP by Emrah Demircioğlu, President of RAC Sakarya Cark

R

otaract Club of Sakarya Çark (R.I. District 2430), who is with us as our friend for a long time, has down syndrome, Emre GÖZEN, was taken as a member to our club. Emre GÖZEN joined our Social responsibility projects in our region. After receiving membership, we realized positive changes in his social life. According to his family’s says he gained self-confidence and responsibility. Additionally, we are also very pleased to working with him. Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition characterized by the presence of an extra copy of genetic material on the 21st chromosome, either in whole (trisomy 21) or part (such as due to translocations). The effects and extent of the extra copy vary greatly among people, depending on genetic history, and pure chance. The incidence of Down syndrome is estimated at 1 per 733 births, although it is statistically more common with older parents due to increased mutagenic exposures upon some older

Turkey parents' reproductive cells. Other factors may also play a role. Down syndrome is often associated with some impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, and a particular set of facial characteristics. Individuals with Down syndrome tend to have a lower-than-average cognitive ability, often ranging from mild to moderate disabilities. Many children with Down syndrome who have received family support, enrichment therapies, and tutoring have been known to graduate from high school and college, and enjoy employment in the work force. The average IQ of children with Down syndrome is around 50, compared to normal children with an IQ of 100. A small number have a severe to high degree of intellectual disability.

We, Rotaract Club of Sakarya Cark, think that this new membership is symbol of our sensitivity to disabled people and it will be an inspiration for our new projects. He was the first and only one member of Rotaract club who has down syndrome in our country. Moreover, we will glad to see more disabled people in other Rotaract clubs around worldwide. This issue is matching with Rotaract and Rotaryen philosophy. We are pleased and honored that we would like to share this social responsibility project with you.


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

News from

Austria by Andreas Rath, Country Representative Austria

A

ustria has a wonderful Rotarian family with 22 Rotaract clubs and about 450 Rotaractors. The Rotaractors are very active at the moment which can be observed by looking at the various community service projects and club events as presented bellow. Also we as Rotaractors are getting closer and closer to our Rotarian friends in terms of organizing our district and doing joined training events such as joined PETS/SETS (President/Secretary Elect Training Seminar) with Rotary at the beginning of next year. Furthermore in the youth service line of Rotary D1910 and D1920 members of Rotaract support Rotary in the youth exchange process as well as in teaching German language courses for incoming students. In the last newsletter I reported that we introduced new Rotaract statutes for D1910 and D1920 due to the new district creation of Croatia and Slovenia. The new role of a MDRR (Multi District Rotaract Representative) who represents both D1910 and D1920 has been created. Here are some thoughts of our first MDRR Marius Starcke: “With our district's quite particular geography -- being split into a Bosnian and an Austrian part since the creation of independent Slovenian and Croatian districts at the beginning of this Rotarian year (2011/12) -- one might think that we primarily struggle with various logistical challenges to our collaboration. More importantly however, this unique combination of regions, cities, cultures and clubs allows all of us to take fresh looks and experience new perspectives on friendship and service in Rotaract. In this context, it was particularly enriching for me personally to attend the annual "Winter Conference" organized by Rotaract Club Sarajevo on December 10th. Our Bosnian

Austria friends had prepared a wonderful evening program and welcomed all their international participants very warm-heartedly -- among them guests from many parts of former Yugoslavia as well as a small group from the “Northern half” of our district (Herbert Pfeiffer and René Stempfer even came all the way from Vienna via Slovenia and Croatia by car for the weekend!). Remembering the great time we had in the Olympic host city of 1984 that weekend, I would like to recommend everyone a visit. If you have any questions or ideas for specific collaboration projects, don't hesitate to contact me and our district board!” One of our next great international events is our MDPC (Multi District Presidential Conference) which is hosted by RAC Wien-Oper from 24.-26.02.2012 in Vienna, a 3 day event including sightseeing, a visit of a traditional Viennese coffee house, fantastic Viennese food as well as Vienna's great nightlife including a Clubbing at Ottakringer Brewery! Be welcome to join at http://www.rac-wienoper.at/mdpc2012vienna/. Austrian Rotaract engagements: After its foundation in November 2010 the RAC St.Pölten is one of the latest members of the Austrian Rotaract network. Despite its still rather young history, the club accomplished its first major charity project. The members decided to use the generous donations collected at the founding celebrations in November 2010 to support the 13-year-old Paul and his family. Paul, living near St.Pölten, is confined to a wheelchair since he was a little child and taken care of by his mother.


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

...continuing from the previous page

Austria year-Charter. Especially for our international friends we have an exciting and special program. Be prepared for 3 marvellous days in Vienna

Another hands-on project was the “Edelhof”. This is a living place for socially deprived children, aged 5 to 14, who are accommodated in small living groups and are provided with a regulated daily routine by their caretakers. The members of the Rotaract Club St.Pölten have organized a day full of games and fun all connected to “circus”, the chosen theme for the day.

RAC Wien Belvedere (http://www.rac-belvedere.at): (1) Charity Auction (February 14th, 2012): Our club will host a charity auction on 14.02.2012 at the Dorotheum, Vienna. The bidder have the choice from more than 100 paintings and sculptures including top artists Herbert Brandl, Julian Khol, Peter Kogler, Florian Fausch or Otmar Alt. The auction proceeds go to the Vienna Hospice of Caritas Sociales. (2) 30 year-Charter (22- 24.06.2012 ): RAC Wien-Belvedere is pleased to invite you to a fun weekend in Vienna for its 30-

RAC Graz (www.rac-graz.at): „Generations Go Christmas“: On 5.12 in 2011, the RAC Graz organized an advent afternoon for young and old in cooperation with an elementary school and a nursing home. This allowed the seniors to dive again into their childhood and children to enjoy the feeling of making people happy..


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

Maps and books

from Serbia with love Serbia

by Marina Secerov, Country Representative Serbia

Rotaract Club Novi Sad – Rotary Summer Camp 2012. “MAP OF VOJVODINA”

makovnjace, kuglof, etc.). By taking a part in this summer camp you will experience the beauty of diversity that Vojvodina is made of and has to offer.

Here is just a blink of what you can expect from this 12th Rotary Summer Camp “MAP OF VOJVODINA”:

Rotaract Club Novi Sad in cooperation with Rotary Club Novi Sad has been organizing one of the oldest and best known summer camps in the Balkan region. For the past 11 years more than 150 members of different Rotaract clubs in the world have visited this summer camp, and some of them came more than once. This is due to an amazing group of people that organize and take care of the participants by showing them the fun part of Vojvodina.

-

Rotaract Summer Camp Rotaract Club Novi Sad

-

-

Rotary Summer Camp 2012. “MAP OF VOJVODINA” will be all about travel throughout Vojvodina, you will visit 4 different cities in 7 days, meet with Rotaract members from Serbia, taste traditional foods (pasulj, sarma, rostilj, riblja corba, etc.) , drink the famous quinsy rakija, listen to traditional music and enjoy in desserts (sutlijas,

-

NOVI SAD, Thursday, 19th of July 2012. (highlight of the day – WELCOME PARTY) NOVI SAD, Friday, 20th of July 2012. (highlight of the day - Petrovaradin Fortress) NOVI SAD – ZRENJANIN, Saturday 21st of July 2012. (highlight of the day - GOLF, boat ride) NOVI SAD – SUBOTICA, Sunday 22nd of July 2012. (highlight of the day - Lake Palic) NOVI SAD – SOMBOR, Monday 23rd of July 2012. (highlight of the day - River Danube, lunch at Salas) NOVI SAD, Tuesday 24th of July 2012. (highlight of the day - Wine tasting, FAREWELL PARTY) NOVI SAD, Wednesday 25th of July 2012.

Web site will be available in January 2012, and the registration will start from March 2012.


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

...continuing from the previous page

RAC Pancevo and RAC Madrid Serrano – “Books from Spain” Rotaract Club Pancevo completed a joined international project with Rotaract Club Madrid Serrano. Together, they managed to contribute 220 books, in Spanish, to the Pancevo City Library on November 17th 2011. Books from Spain Rotaract Club Pancevo

The goal was to promote the books to the citizens of Pančevo. Hearing some extracts from the books being read and enjoying the melodic sounds of this wonderful language, the people in the audience were given the opportunity to examine and read themselves, before the books appear on the library bookshelves. The contribution of these books is a good start of the management's initiative to establish a “Spanish Section” in the library, a plan the library management aims to complete in the near future.

RAC Pancevo and RAC Pavia – “Mapability” The idea of Mapability was presented to Rotaract Club Pancevo by the members of Rotaract Club Pavia. Members

Serbia of Rotaract Club Pancevo decided to support this immensely meaningful project and to provide their city with a platform which would enable people, who are challenged when it comes to their mobility, to move more easily. The project required identifying all factors and obstacles within all the walking routes in the urban area and making a register of these obstacles, with the end goal of making this data available to the future users. Thus a user is enabled to oversee a certain area he/she may wish to visit or use, in advance, and is enabled to reach decisions accordingly and based on information on access quality, all barriers and their factors needed to be taken into account which are important when moving across a certain distance. As the first international partners Rotaract Club Pancevo began these activities in September 2011 with the aim of finishing the project by end of 2012.

project MapabilityRotaract Club Pancevo


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

Romania

Louvain

New Year’s Eve

&

Party

Moldova Belgium

by Simon Ginis, Country Representative Belgium ello dear Rotaract friends! Quick update on the Belgian Rotaract, tons of things happening, best parties, lovely people and lots of fun! You enjoyed your New Year's party? Well certainly not as good as we did! Congratulations to Rotaract Louvain who managed to throw one of the best parties ever seen. More than 300 people enjoying themselves in the new Park Inn Hotel nearby the renovated railway staion of this beautiful city. This was the first edition which was a real international party for the Louvain crew. We enjoyed the presence of Alexander and Karolina from Austria, Marcin from Poland, our beloved country rep Laura from the Netherlands, our lovely country rep Doris from Germany and the gorgeous Laetitia from Luxemburg. Louvain did well. Now be prepared for the no.1 party of 2012! Rotaract Brussels Coudenberg organises their anual galabal with this year's theme "Roaring Twenties"! Wanna go back to the time of Foxtrot, Charleston, Al Capone, Bonny & Clyde & speakeasy clubs? Join us in the beginning of May 2012 in Brussels for an incredible party in one of the best venues of the capital of Europe! more info with simon.ginis@hotmail.com and later on on our website www.rotaractcoudenberg.be See you soon!

by Ioana Staicu, Country Representative Romania&Moldova

Romanian-Italian Twinning

T

he mai friendship event this half of the Rotarian year was the twining between Rotaract Club of Timisoara, District 2241 and Rotaract Club San Vito al Tagliamento, District 2060. The event took place in Timisoara, and orbited around a project in which members from both clubs prepared the dinner for 70 homeless or very poor people from a help centre. The event helped bring together the 2 clubs and laied ground for strong friendship feelings between the members who spent a few days toghether doing both hard work and fun – wine tasting, relaxing conversation and hard partying

Rotaract Library Our ambitious project focues on building an English library in Chisinau, Rep. Moldova. Being brought to our attention the fact that the book demand in Chisinau much exceeds the offer, the Rotaract Club decided to take action. The fact that some books have to be reserved for up to 6 months in advance couldn't remain like that, so we decided to suppliment the existing Romanian book reserve , and even more – create an English Library so that the people of Chisinau may benefit from the English experience. The Rotaract Club of Manchester was very helpful in this endeavour , and started gathering books right away. It took a few months and some serious planning, but the first shipping of English literature has reached the gathering point, and we are expecting many more, so that we can sustain the library, not only create it. We would like to thank all the people who have donated books from their own libraries, and are confident that many more will join us in this project. We would also like to reach out to any Rotaract Club which might give us a hand in delivering knowledge to the community, and hope to establish many more Libraries in the future, seing that knowledge is the only true and valuable posesion one might have.


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

D.1913 update

RAC

Baku Croatia

Azerbaijan

by Julija Turk, Country Representative Croatia

by Minai Massimova, Country Representative Azerbaijan

R

irst Rotaract Club in Azerbaijan was revived by 18 young and motivated persons under auspicious of Baku Rotary Club on September 05, 2002 (Rotaract Club of Baku). Now there are 2 Rotaract clubs in our country.

otaract in Croatia is still active with its 7 clubs and there is around 120 active Rotaractors in Croatia.

Croatia is now also a district 1913 – so one country – one district. There are 2 national conferences in Croatia. One was held in Osijek a bit after REM in Wroclaw and the other one will be held in Rijeka in February , 17.-19.! There will be a big international Carnival party and event, for Rijeka has one of the biggest Carnivals in Europe. All of the Rotaractors are invited to participate in this great event and meeting of our Rotaractors. In March there will be also a charter anniversary of Rotaract club Varaždin which will be great so you are all invited! There were projects during this year, mostly in Christmas time, helping people in need. Every club has it's own project and it all went well. There are few new projects considering Twinning of clubs. Rotaract club Varaždin started it's with Rotaract club Celje in November and it's still in its making. I hope to see you in Rijeka or Varaždin, or both Wish you all the best in 2012.!!!

F

RCB organizes a variety of projects and activities, the main areas of focus include service projects, professional and leadership development. Our club carries out on average 7-8 and/or more projects in a term, most being community service projects, which include psychological training for women in refugees dormitory, Spring Camp project, circumcision operations for poor children, Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign 2010, etc. Main part of funds for the projects is fundraised from charity concerts and charity discos. Club visited Rotary/Rotaract Clubs in more than 20 countries, attended in international events as RYLA, EUCO, REM and etc. Club held different international project this year. First of them was Baku trip which was held during 9-11 September, 2011. Rotaractors from different countries visited our country. Special cultural program was prepared for them. Second of them is signing Twin club agreement between Bishkek Rotaract club and RCB for the term 2011-2012. Now club plans to do different international projects together. Club now is organizing international project “Creativity without borders” with 5 Rotaract clubs over the world. The participant clubs are Rotaract Club of Baku (Azerbaijan), Rotaract Club Moscow-East (Russia), Kiev Multinational Rotaract club (Ukraine), Bishkek Rotaract club (Kyrgyzstan) and El Tahrir Rotaract club (Egypt). Handicrafts made by children from orphanages will be sold in 5 countries and fundraised amount will be spent to these orphanages.


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

REM Wroclaw,

Round-trip and a little rescuers

Poland

by Jarek Sauczek, Country Representative Poland

F

rom 29th of September till 2 nd October 2011 Wroclaw became the European capital of Rotaract - Rotaract European Meeting has been held there.

people, which was organized in Hotel Orbis Wroclaw. The gala

Young pe ople full of enthusiasm, energy and optimism have the opportunity to make new friends, exchange experiences with projects, or simply explore Wroclaw. The meeting attracted 300 guests not only from all over the Europe, but also from countries such as Egypt, The first guests have arrived to Wroclaw has on Wednesday. On Thursday night was held a "Twin Dating Meeting". This was the first event of its kind in the Rotaract conference. Its aim is to create the opportunity for the clubs to cooperate with other clubs from all countries with the different types of projects and, consequently, be the partner clubs. Friday was the opening day of the conference. It was held at the University of Wroclaw, in the historic Hall of Leopoldynie. Afterwords of welcome all participants with a glass of champagne toasted the start of REM-in Wroclaw. After the official part, all of the participants went to Wrocław centre, where in the ,restaurants, pubs and clubs began integrative part of the meeting. On Saturday was the most important part of the REM meeting session ERIC. Which was held in the Session Hall of the representative of the city of Wroclaw. During the fivehours meeting presented the best stocks Rotaract clubs from different countries in Europe, discussed matters related to the activities of the European Rotaract, and also selected host of REM-autumn in 2012. The winner turned out to Kiev. Gala evening was held for 300

E.R.I.C. REM Meeting Session in Wroclaw was attended by TadeuszPłuziński past governor and representatives of the Rotary clubs in Wroclaw. During the gala, surprise for the guests was the performance of Song and Dance Ensemble "Wroclaw", who presented several folk dances and songs. After the artistic part, the speeches and congratulations began. Svoran Darko , the President ofERIC, thanked for the preparation of such a large conference and congratulated success. An enormous event was the presentation of the official part of the Czech Mrkvice Philip Paul Harris medal for current activities for the European Rotaract. After all the speeches the party has begun. Sunday was the day of saling goodbye.


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

...continuing from the previous page

Little Rescuers

I

n 2011/2012 Polish Clubs have the Chance to accession to the Little Rescuers Project. . The idea of the program was initiated by the Warsaw Rotary Club. The project idea is to spread knowledge of first aid among small children (age 6-12 years).After the end of the course participants will gain knowledge in the fields: - Rules for dealings in the case of an accident or life-threatening situations - Notification rules in a situation of danger - The contents of first aid kits and first aid -Practical training using the malingerers and the phantom The classes are conducted in high schools by teams of medical professional lifeguards. Children participating in the training will receive certificates of attendance and a set of gadgets: a backpack, first aid kit and reflective armband. Little Rescuers program is extremely well designed to promote both the idea and mission of Rotary-action missions connects to the local community with the aim of improving safety as well as awareness of the threats. Rotaract Clubs have the option to conduct the Project alone or In the cooperation with other Rotary clubs. The classes are photographed and filmed. Material laced reporter in August on the project website, www.maliratownicy.eu.

Poland organizers try to select a group of participants that would represent different countries, cultures, religions and styles of life. You will experience many great moments and meet fantastic people. Poland Trip will be between May 8th and May 20th. Program: 8-10 May - Warsaw 10-12 May - Cracaw 12-14 May- Wrocław 14-16 May - Olsztyn 16-18 May- Trójmiasto 18-20 May - Toruń In Toruń all participants will take part in District Conference with Polish people who they meet during all trip! As to the cost it is 80 euro / per person. Find more information and apply on our website: http://polandtrip.rotaract.alte.pl Find more about Poland Rotaract: http://www.rotaract.org.pl/index_en.php?page=rotaract Does it sound interesting? Would you like to be a part of it? Apply now and wait for the results! See you in Poland!

Poland Trip

I

t is a trip where six people from all over the world will visit many interesting cities such as Warsaw, Cracaw or Wrocław . Every participant will have an opportunity to experience our culture, taste delicious Polish cuisine and make great friendships. You will see an ancient seat of kings, ancient Salt Mine in Wieliczka with amazing collection of salt sculptures, Warsaw uprising museum and many others beautiful places in Poland. Polish Rotaract members are taking care of participants by hosting them in their homes, planning their visit, covering their transport expenses in Poland and doing all their best to enterntain them during the trip. For each Poland Trip edition,

Poland Trip 2011


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Newsletter of the European Rotaract Information Centre

International

upcoming projects in Denmark

Denmark

by Sabina Kethelz, Country Representative Denmark

ORDACT

The registration and homepage for the conference will open in March. If you have any questions, you can contact the president of the organizing committee, Lisa Baisgaard, on skrivtillisa@hotmail.com

Denmark will be hosting the NORDACT Conference from the 12th to the 14th of October 2012, and the host city will be Odense. NORDACT is the international conference for the Nordic Countries (Denmark, Sweden and Norway), but we obviously hope that many Rotaracters from other countries will join us as well!! Odense is the third biggest city of Denmark, and is the biggest city of the island called Funen. It’s known as “the fairytale city” since the fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote e.g. the Little Mermaid, was born in Odense. We will try to make the conference a bit more “professional” than what many Rotaract conferences normally are. So we will do our best to ensure more sessions and highly skilled facilitators and trainers. But there will of course also be room for good viking parties:-) Still, the official theme for the conference has not been set, but we are working on ideas like “People & Society”, “Entrepreneurship”, “Leadership – is there a difference between how men and women lead/should lead”, “Generation Z, and the reality/make-me-stand-in-the-spotlight culture” and “Nordic Collaboration”.

Cross-border collaboration The clubs that are close the German-Danish border have become really good at cooperating despite of the border in between them. This is something that both the Danish clubs and the German club in Flensburg enjoy a lot. As for now there are no twin projects between them as such, but the collaboration and networking still run smoothly.

Editor: Mikolaj Dragović, Marketing Officer 2011/2012, E.R.I.C. Board, marketing@rotaracteurope.org


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