Rotaract District Newsletter | March 2020 | Issue 9

MAR 2019 - ISSUE IX

Rotaract District Newsletter Rotary international District 3292

Rtn. Mark Daniel Maloney Rotary International President

Rtn. Kiran Lal Shrestha District Governor

Rotary International District 3292

Rtr. Sneha Shakya

District Rotaract Representative Rotaract District Committee, Rotary International District 3292

In This Issue • • • • • • • • • • •

Message from DRR Rtr. Sneha Shakya Interview with Past DRR Samir Nepal Rotaract South Asia Summit 2020 Awesome Rotaract activities from home World Rotaract Week 2020 World Rotaract Week: Live Discussion Rotaract Barometer Webinars IDYEP - Zone IX Rotary Peace Fellowship District Rotaract Representative’s Official Visit Non-profit organizations in COVID19 Crisis

Message from District Rotaract Representative Dear Fellow Rotaractors, I hope you all are staying safe and taking care of yourself and the ones around you during these challenging times. The world is facing a difficult time at present but we have to stay positive and hopeful that these difficult times will pass soon.

Rtr. Sneha Shakya

District Rotaract Representative Rotaract District Committee, Rotary International District 3292

As you all know, following the Government Directives, the Rotaract District Committee has either postponed, canceled all the activities or moved them to virtual platforms. Accordingly, the 2nd Presidents and Secretaries Meet scheduled for this April has been canceled, but the segments of PETS - SETS will be conducted online. The Rotaract District Committee has put forward the proposal to have the segment of Presidents - Secretaries Meet in the 13th District Assembly, whereby the discussion on the proposed agendas shall take place. Please share your views and ideas regarding the same. In the same manner, all other District activities have been put on hold.

We celebrated the 52nd World Rotaract Week in the month of March and I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to clubs who brought out innovative ways to celebrate this occasion despite the difficult situation.

Though many activities had to be canceled keeping the current situation in mind, let us be positive and acknowledge that as proud Rotaractors, we celebrate Rotaract every day and will continue doing so. This Rotaract Week was also an opportunity for us to reflect upon how our movement has evolved in the past decade. The Rotaract District Committee published a data compilation of our activities and achievements in the past decade, which is also available in this issue of the monthly newsletter.

As April begins, we enter into the final quarter of this Rota year. Now is the time for all of us to reflect upon our activities of the past nine months, review our goals and achievements and move ahead into planning for the upcoming year. Definitely, we might still have activities planned in our calendar or postponed due to the current pandemic, but as leaders, we need to set our priorities strategically at this moment, and also seek to find innovative ways to move ahead.

Regarding our actions in response to COVID-19, Rotary International District 3292 has started a fundraising campaign to support the government programs to combat the Corona Virus. Let us wholeheartedly support this cause. While we engage ourselves in other response activities against COVID-19, let us make sure that we take every protective measure. As world leaders and health experts have continuously said, the best way we can help right now is to stay at home. By staying at home, we not only protect ourselves but our families and people around us and also ease the task of our government and health workers who have been fighting this battle from the frontline.

Let us be hopeful that we will overcome this situation soon. Take care and stay safe.

Rtr. Sneha Shakya District Rotaract Representative 2019-20

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Interview

Mr. Samir Nepal, DRR 2015-16 Are you engaged in any other organization besides Rotaract, what makes Rotaract stand apart?

Yes, I am involved in a few other organizations besides Rotaract. Rotaract gives us flexibility and choice to organize events and projects on the wider radar which is not always the case in other organizations. Similarly, Rotaract provides a unique sense of acting locally whilst understanding global values.

What is the right time or age to join Rotary?

There is no right time or age as such to join Rotary but one needs to understand the obligations and mandates of being a Rotarian prior to joining.

What is your most valuable gain through Rotaract?

Gain won’t be the right term to say as we are here not for profit or loss. However, things that I carried with me when I left Rotaract was a wealth of knowledge I had learned in terms of people management and administration.

If you have to do the SWOT Analysis of Rotaract, What do you think would be the strength, weakness, threat, and opportunity?

I leave this to the current Rotaract Committee and Presidents. But yes, I see more strengths and opportunities in Rotaract then weaknesses and threats.

What or who has been your greatest inspiration in Rotary - Rotaract and why?

My greatest inspiration in Rotary-Rotaract was and is the mentor of our home club Rtn. Dr. Chandra Lekha Tuladhar. She taught us the values of social service, selflessness, and volunteerism which I am carrying with me beyond Rotaract. Her commitment to Rotary and volunteerism is what we all should learn from.

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Mr. Samir Nepal

District Rotaract Representative 2015-16 He is working as the Civil Engineer in United Nations World Food Programme. His expertise includes Emergency Preparedness, Food Insecurity Emergency Response.

They say Leaders create Leaders, can you name 5 people who you have helped in becoming leaders through Rotaract?

This would be really mean if I mention only five among so many supporting seniors and loveable juniors in Rotaract. However, there are five dimensions that helped me in becoming a robust leader of RID 3292. They are Rotaract, Rotary, My Family, my then organization where I worked and my colleagues/friends.

What was the theme for your year? What was the reason that you came up with that theme?

My Theme of the year 2015-16 as DRR was “Promote Rotaract”. I firmly believe that the theme still makes full sense as we are not being able to promote Rotaract as one entity in the communities we work in. We are so scattered in the activities that we are not able to present our identity in communities and among beneficiaries.

Thus, we are still not able to imprint tangible changes in the community. Also, the branding of Rotaract is not visible as it should have been. So, I request our upcoming leaders to make note of it and make a Rotaract in RID3292 as a single movement.

What are the differences between our district then and now?

More Rotaract clubs, more rotaractors, new geographical coverage are a few noticeable things from then and now. In terms of leadership, I leave this to the current district leaders themselves to analyze it.

What are the things you learned in your tenure about the professionalism that you have carried with you even to this day?

• Respect Volunteerism • Every individual is unique and thus respect them and their ideas.

• Be Neutral and not judgemental.

• Delegate responsibilities but always hold control of it.

• Value team spirit What is your favorite leadership mantra or quote?

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. Do you plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.

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Awesome

Rotaract activities from home Recipe Exchange Program

Recipe Sharing session was organised online by RAC Kathmandu Midtown jointly with Rotaract Club of Bhawal Green, RID 3281, Bangladesh.

The program continued for a week where other members from both the club shared the recipe and videos of their cooking with instructions in the group.

Getting Fit with Zumba

Rotaract Club of Kathmandu Metro organized online Zumba via Facebook of the club. The program is intended to take the mind off this news and utilize this lockdown time to get fit.

The club requested to share the video of Zumba, which will be shared on social media.

Virtual meeting to Discuss global scenario of COVID-19 Rotaract Club of Yala participated in the virtual meeting hosted by Rotaract Club of Karachi Royal Dist.3271 to discuss the Role of Rotaract on the global scenario of COVID-19 on Tuesday 31st March at 4 PM, according to Pakistan Time through zoom app. Many international Club Members joined this meeting where all the rotaractors discussed the current global scenario of the COVID-19 and the immediate effect of COVID-19 in their home country. The meeting also talked about how Rotaract clubs can play their part in this global pandemic.

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World Rotaract Week This year, rotaractors celebrated Rotaract week from March 9-15. It is a festive season for Rotaractors all around the world. Since 1967, this esteemed network of young individuals has been creating an impact locally and internationally at various levels.

The Rotaract movement in Nepal started in 1992.

The growth of the Rotaract movement was relatively slow in Nepal in the ’90s. The millennials accelerated the momentum. There was a sudden bulge in the number of clubs. The number of projects and events increased as well. Rotaract movement in Nepal grew bigger with time. The number of clubs crossed the three-figure mark in the year 2016.

Rotary movement in Nepal was operating under R.I.D 3290, Calcutta and In the year 2008, it bifurcated into two districts namely R.I.D 3291 Calcutta and R.I.D 3292 Nepal. The country; Bhutan was added to District 3292 in 2011 when the Rotary Club of Thimphu was chartered.

backgrounds, to make long-lasting connections and to enhance your professional and leadership skills.

If you want to know more about Rotaract. Check out the links below:

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ rotaractnepal/ Official website of Rotary International: https://www. rotary.org/en/get-involved/rotaract-clubs Official website of rotaractnepal.org/

Rotaract

District:

https://

Today, we have 131 clubs in our District. Covering 28% of the nation, i.e. 22 out of 77 administrative districts have local Rotaract clubs, we are 5701 members stronger and growing day by day.

Rotaract is an awesome platform to explore your current skill-set, to connect with people from various

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World Rotaract Week: Facebook Live Discussion While following the Government’s instructions to not hold any mass events, the Rotaract District Committee held a virtual event to mark the Rotaract Week Celebration. A Facebook Live Discussion was held on March 14, 2020, as a conversation as to how Rotaract in District 3292 has evolved over the past years. The discussion was moderated by DRR Rtr. Sneha Shakya, in the presence of IPDRR Rtr. Saugat Gautam, Mr. Bijay Sharma (Past President, Rotaract Club of Balaju) and Rtn. Baburam Banjade (Past President, Rotaract Club of Butwal Downtown and Club Administration Chair, Rotary Club of Butwal Downtown) as panelists.

The discussion focused on how Rotaract 3292 has evolved over the past years and how the updated Rotary International policies shall bring about changes in how Rotaract has been functioning. The

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panelists shared their insights on the topics as well as shared their experiences. The panel concluded that much had changed in Rotaract 3292 over the past years, but Rotaract has been moving in the right direction in District 3292. The panel also stressed the importance of innovation in projects for Rotaract clubs in the coming days, and also the importance of impactful projects for brand identity. The panelists also shared their views regarding the updated Rotary International policies for Rotaract, and what possible changes could these policies bring about in the Rotaract Movement in District 3292.

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Recognition Barometer Webinars In March our Training Team carried out numerous Recognition Barometer Webinars in different Zones across the Rotaract District 3292. This session was organized online acknowledging the need for simplifying the categories of the recognition barometers along with core-areas of evaluation.

115 clubs participated in the webinar. We conducted our first Recognition Barometer Webinar in Zone X on 16th March. Similarly further two more Recognition Barometer Webinars were carried out in Zone VIII and III on 17th March. On the 19th of March, Webinars in Zone V and Zone IX took place. Likewise, Recognition Barometer Webinars were well executed in Zone VI and Zone VII on 21st March and 23rd March respectively.

25th March was the date when we completed yet another two Recognition Barometer Webinars in Zone VII and Zone II. We carried out our Recognition Barometer Webinars in two phases in Zone IV i.e on 28th March and 31st March. The Barometer Training Webinar was held on 28th March in Zone XIII. Lastly, on the 30th of we pulled off Recognition Barometer Webinars in Zone XI and Zone XII. Big thanks to all the respective Zonal Rotaract Representatives for such gratifying coordination during Webinars that allowed us to deliver what we wanted to all the clubs.

Stay Tuned. We are coming with a lot of exciting workshops very soon.

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IDYEP Zone IX Rotaract Clubs from Zone IX hosted five Rotaractors from RI District 3142 Mumbai, India, from Feb 11, 2020, as a part of Inter-district Youth exchange. The participants of IDYEP from RI District 3142 were from RAC Thane North End, RAC Saraswati College, RAC Ulhasnagar Sapna Garden. The host from Nepal also organized cultural exchange where participants wore traditional dresses like Nepali dress, Newari dress, and Sherpa dress to represent different cultures of Nepal. The Rotaractors from RI District 3292 and Rotaract District 3142 also had letterhead exchange. DRR Rtr. Sneha Shakya from RI District 3292 and International Service Director Rtr. Nirvik KC met with the participants from Rotaract District 3142.

RAC Kathmandu Metropolis, along with RaC Charumati and RAC Bagmati, organized a day of peace as we all toured Namo Buddha, where the Rotaractors from RI District 3142 enjoyed the beautiful nature, scenery and the mountain with the peaceful environment of Namo Buddha Monastery. The exchange participants then enjoyed a lovely Thakali Lunch.

In the final day of IDYEP, rotaractors from different clubs of RI District 3292 came to see off the Rotaractors of District 3142.

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Now Accepting Applications for the 2021 Rotary Peace Fellowship Apply Now! Promoting peace is one of Rotary’s main causes. The fully funded Rotary Peace Fellowship, which covers tuition and living expenses, increases the capacity of existing leaders to prevent and resolve conflict by offering academic training, field experience, and professional networking.

Up to 130 fellows are selected every year in a globally competitive process based on personal, academic, and professional achievements. Fellows earn either a master’s degree or a professional development certificate in peace and development studies at one of the seven Rotary Peace Centers, located at leading universities around the world.

More than 1,300 program alumni are working in more than 115 countries as leaders in national governments, nongovernmental organizations, social enterprises, the military, law enforcement, and international organizations such as the United Nations.

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DRR’s OFFICIAL VIsit

District Rotaract Representative’s Official Vist at Rotaract Club of Bharatpur.

District Rotaract Representative’s Official Vist at Rotaract Club of Bharatpur Height.

District Rotaract Representative’s Official Vist at Rotaract Club of Butwal Chautari.

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DRR’s OFFICIAL VIsit

District Rotaract Representative’s Official Vist at Rotaract Club of Butwal Down-Town.

District Rotaract Representative’s Official Vist at Rotaract Club of Butwal Synergy.

District Rotaract Representative’s Official Vist at Rotaract Club of Central Lumbini.

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DRR’s OFFICIAL VIsit

District Rotaract Representative’s Official Vist at Rotaract Club of Kopundol.

District Rotaract Representative’s Official Vist at Rotaract Club of Patan West.

District Rotaract Representative’s Official Vist at Rotaract Club of Sainamaina.

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DRR’s OFFICIAL VIsit

District Rotaract Representative’s Official Vist at Rotaract Club of Tilottama Devdaha.

District Rotaract Representative’s Official Vist at Rotaract Club of Tilottama Rupendehi.

District Rotaract Representative’s Official Vist at Rotaract Club of Tinau City.

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Nonprofit Organizations in COVID-19 Crisis “Your small shop is closed due to lockdown or your daily wage job doesn’t exist anymore, you have a family to feed and it’s panic everywhere. On the other hand, the grocery store shelves are emptying. Your child is watching handwashing videos at school. Your work conferences for April are all being canceled. These examples share the realities facing Nepali families amidst the COVID-19 crisis.“ It is an unfortunate and unprecedented time of global crisis. Mounting public health and economic challenges of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and resulting public responses of a national lockdown have impacted the most vulnerable population. Children are being forced to stay at home, adults are losing jobs, small businesses are enduring enormous financial hardships, while the looming uncertainty is affecting mental health.

The state, government bodies, non-governmental organizations, private corporations, and individuals are giving their best to contribute during the time of crisis.

Each stakeholder has a valuable role in combating this global pandemic. As advocates of the poor, marginalized, disenfranchised, vulnerable and people in the fringes, and a major contributor to sustainable development, nonprofit organizations can play an important role during the crisis.

Nonprofit organizations can engage in five decisions (actions), thereby contributing to the containment of the COVID-19, supporting people amidst the chaos and saving “themselves”.

Plan contingencies: Nonprofits need to act quickly, not reflexively to develop a Plan B. Potential decrease in funding and reduced interactions with the communities can be difficult to the most important constituencies that nonprofit organizations represent - their beneficiaries. Nonprofits can call for immediate actions by managing costs, prioritizing need, putting off new initiatives, identifying the vulnerable groups, and planning problem-solving processes. While the uncertainties remain, nonprofits have to continue working for their beneficiaries and plan on getting back to action when this crisis ends.

Accelerate greater and transparent communications: Leading an organization through tough times calls for open and frequent communication from the top. As part of that, nonprofits should continue to share information and resources from credible sources, such as the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health and Population with their staff and the beneficiaries. You have to be transparent about the decision-making, whether it about changing the way of operations by adjusting hours, making the tough decision to cancel events and/or temporarily close the doors. Involving stakeholders is important here.

Be a social leader: Nonprofit organizations have an important role during the crisis. They represent the underrepresented.

Using their networks, nonprofit organizations can share the right information and promote good practices that would help the government and local bodies to contain the virus. It can also mobilize online fundraisers and its network to raise

funds for the public bodies. Nonprofits also need to widen their horizon by being open to collaboration with other organizations working with vulnerable groups as a collective action is required to combat the pandemic. Collaborations could contribute to generating new ideas, consolidating support strategies and reaching out to affected groups in a short period of time. Hence, nonprofits have an important role as a social leader, supporter, and voice of the voiceless in the time of crisis.

Participate in public decision making: Nonprofit leaders need to look beyond their “regular” services and collaborate with public authorities to prepare and act for what lies ahead.

Contributing to the government’s mapping of individuals and support resources, opening up the network for government’s plans and actions, and forging strong support in decision making might support the government in bringing an inclusive, effective and equitable policy. Nonprofits can also be a part of the “information movement” supporting the government to gather and share information.

Spread empathy and compassion: It is a crucial time for all the people due to the sudden changes in lifestyles. This is where people need humility and a positive environment to cope with the resulting mental stress and anxiety. In such circumstances, nonprofits can speak out against acts of discrimination and speak out for the vulnerable. A healing gesture would be a positive ray of hope in people struggling to make terms with the changes in their lives. Nonprofits need to spread empathy, compassion, and positivity towards people and be the voice for civility and healing.

As the COVID-19 crisis spreads, nonprofits are continuing to provide critical health care services. Other nonprofits are also feeding and educating children, helping people and families struggling with illness or layoffs, and doing much more to aid people who are in need of assistance because of the health and economic troubles spreading across the nation. During this crisis, nonprofit organizations have a role to play - support the government and the society to tackled COVID-19. They need to reinvent themselves, open up their network and contribute to the containment of the virus and rehabilitation of the vulnerable.

Contributed by: Manusmriti Baral (Program Assistant) and Biswash Chepang (Program Coordinator), MBA Nonprofit Program, King’s College Notes: US National Council of Nonprofits Forbes The Chronicle of Philanthropy Bridgespan UNDP

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Rotaract Priviledge Card Rotaract Privilege Card is a physical card distributed to Rotaract members by Rotaract District 3292. It also serves as the official Identity Card for Rotaract members in District 3292. This card allows the members to receive benefits when obtaining goods/services from different organizations, such as: • Discounts at restaurants • Discounts at stores/shops • Entry fee waiver at various spots • Fee waivers/ discounts at various organizations Rotaract District 3292 is in a continuous process of bringing out a privilege program for its members. Following is the list of partners so far and the perks for our members: Yoso International (Miniso) Miniso stores in Kathmandu Valley 10% Discount on all purchases.

Offer not available for items which are already at a discount or when Miniso itself is running any scheme.

Selected (Shop No. 106) Kathmandu mall

Hot coffee club (Shop No. 104) Kathmandu mall 10% Discount on any drinks

Oojam Office Alternative Solutions Jwagal, Lalitpur 5% discount on office space booking

Crystal Creation Birtamod, Jhapa, Nepal Discount For Rotaractors: 20% on all services Details:

Darkwood Restaurant and Lounge Bar Butwal 10% Discount

Hangout ‘de café Jhapa, Nepal 10% on food 5% on beverage

Ankur Engineering and Construction Pvt. Ltd. Butwal 15% Discount on property valuation report

Newari Bhoj New Rd, Pokhara 33700 10% on Food.

Hotel Grand Pacific Main Highway, Birtamode-1 30% on room rates & 15 % on food & beverage

Facial House Kathmandu Mall, Kathmandu, Nepal 20 % Discount .

Mokshya hospitality Main highway 10% on food 5% on beverage

Sadhana Kala Kendra Kamaladi mode, Putalisadhak 50% discount in admission and 50% discount in venue

VRcade - gaming Zone 2nd floor, One Stop Mall, Birtamode 20% on purchase of gaming tickets

The Loft Lounge New Baneshwor Kathmandu, Nepal 10% Discount on Food at the loft Hot Faishon (Shop No. 113) Kathmandu mall clothing items ,bag,shoes 40%

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Hype-lounge & Bar Onestop Mall Birtamode 10% discount on food

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Swaad Achar Masala Anamnagar Kathmandu, Nepal 20% Discount Sydney Dental Clinic Mahalaximisthan Rd, Lalitpur 5% on all Dental Treatment

Editorial Team Rtr. Shreni Rajbhandary District Creative Lead

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Rtr. Summit Bajracharya Assitant DRR Follow us at instagram @rotaract3292

Follow us at youtube youtube.com/rotaract3292

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Follow us at twitter twitter.com/rid3292

Rtr. Peshal Bhattarai District Treasurer

Rtr. Shristi Tripathi District Public Relations Officer

Rtr. Adarsh Shrestha District Sergeant at Arms

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YOU DONʼT NEED A “SPACE” TO CREATE AN IMPACT! We believe that social impact does not have a definite form, space or confinement.

It can happen anywhere, everywhere.

MBA NONPROFIT at King’s College

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