Rotaraction Newsletter by Antigoni Charis

November 2012 Issue 2

ROTARACTION N EWSLETTE R

Team DRR: Elena Stylianides drrep2450@gmail.com

DDRR: Elena Aroti drrep2450@gmail.com

Cyprus VDRR: Mohammed Fahmy mohamed_a_fahmy@yahoo.co.uk

Cyprus PR Coordinator/ Chied Editor: Charis Michael

Welcome

Being the 2011/12 community service director of the Rotaract Club of Nicosia Aspelia, the 2012/13 secretary, E.R.I.C. Country Representative for Cyprus and the DDRR for D2450 is not only touching but also a great honor! The reason is not only the fact that this is D2450’s last year, but more importantly the unity of this district. Greek philosopher Aesop stated that: “Union gives strength”. We progress through the union of service above self and self development through service. My wish for this year and for all the Rotarian years to come is to progress through understanding, completing, and complementing each other. I hold an LLB from the University of Bristol, I am a barrister at law and member of Gray’s Inn. I am the founding partner of Spyros Arotis- Elena Aroti & Associates law firm.

Elena Arotis Deputy District Rotaract Reprecentative 2012 – 2013

charis.michael@gmail.com

Rotaractors Reporter: Glafkos Mitsides glafkosm@hotmail.com

Graphic Designer: Antigoni Karakoulli akarakoulli@gmail.com

Editorial

Following the successful launching of the first issue of the Pancyprian Rotaract Newsletter the Cyprus PR Team is proud to present the second issue of ROTARACTION. In this issue we have expanded the topics and articles to be more educative, interesting and fun. This month we celebrate Bahrain, we remember the September events of all Rotaract clubs, we meet Elena Aroti (DDRR District 2450 - 2012/13), we hear the experiences of Marina Theodotou, we present the Rotaract Distrct 2450 Committee and many many more!

People

I totally share Past RI President Luis Vicente Giay belief that the future of Rotary relies on involving young people in the organization’s programs and activities. At the 1996 RI Convention in Canada, he said: “Our vision for the future, now more than ever, is the difference between success and failure. The New Generations are our investment in the future. Let us begin to build that future today.” New Generations Service became Rotary’s fifth Avenue of Service in 2010 and recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development, involvement in community and international service projects, and programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding. The main target of the District Rotaract Chair and Team this year is to establish a close and on a productive basis Rotary, Rotaract relationship. Rotary clubs are responsible for the performance and activities of their sponsoring Rotaract clubs and should be committed involving them in their projects and fellowship events. We will work towards: Membership development and retention Attracting new members through social media and recruitment projects Training Rotaract leaders Prepare a District training manual for Rotaract clubs Encourage join projects with interact and sponsoring Rotary clubs.

Although Rotary club leadership changes over the years, the emphasis on youth and membership growth should not. Yesterday’s Interactors are today’s Rotaractors and tomorrow’s Rotarians.

Caterina Kalavas District Rotaract Chairperson 2012-13 Rotary International D2450

November 2012 Issue 2

ROTARACTION

NOVEMBER CELEBRATION Bahrain is located in the Middle East (east of Saudi

Arabia). Manama is the capital of Bahrain with population of 163.000 people. The total population of Bahrain in 1.25 million people which live in an area of 620 sq Km. As most of the Middle East countries Bahrain has a lot of natural resources including oil, natural gas, fish and pearls. Petroleum production and refining account for more than 60% of Bahrain’s export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP (exclusive of allied industries). Other major economic activities are production of aluminum - Bahrain’s second biggest export after oil - finance, and construction. Currently there are 3 Rotary Clubs in Bahrain: Rotary of Adliya (est. 1994), Rotary of Manama (est. 1965) and Rotary of Sulmaniya (est. 1971). For more information please refer to a presentation kindly prepared by our fellow rotaractors of RAC Cairo Royal http://prezi.com/xtzx74t48gdk/the-kingdom-of-bahrain/

DID YOU KNOW ?

Walt Disney was a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Palm Springs, California, USA Currently there are 8.703 Rotaract Clubs worldwide. India has the largest amount of Rotaract clubs: 2.189 In 1989 the Council of Legislation voted to admit women into Rotary Clubs worldwide.

MEET THE DISTRICT TEAM OF 2012/13 District 2450 Rotaract Representative DRR Elena Stylianide

PDRR Belal Al Ayoub

IDRR Ashraf Abaza (D2451)

IDRR Vincent Fayad (D2452)

DDRR Elena Aroti Secretary Amr El Saher Vice Secretary Evie Christodoulou VDRR

Youssef El-Nakeeb

District Alex

Professional Development Coordinator

Mohamed Fahmy

Mayada Sabbah

Coordinators Traditional Media

Social Media

Evgeny Jasmine Mona Antigoni Tarakanov Asaad Arslan Karakoulli

Anna Barikyan Anna Barikyan

Martirosyan Kristina

Cairo

Ahmed Nabil Ziad El Adawy Dina Gazayerly Youssef Dawoud

Jessy Mostafa

Mohamed Fahmy

Charis Michael

Geo

Nata Gzirishvili

Gvantsa Soselia

Marika Vallner

Simon Daou Fouad Haddad Michel Nahas Fouad Mansour

Joanna Abdallah

Leb

Zayna Hamarneh

Lana Shahin

Iheb Fakhoury

Alexandre Colleuil

Palest

Lana Shahin

Jord

Community Service

International Club Service Service Coordinator

District Coordinator Project Coordinator Coordinator

Sara Asmae El El-Shany Askary

Marwan Montasser

Nair Alaa

Interact Coordinator

Issam Chmaytelly

Treasurer

Andreas Matsangos

Noha Kawanna

Arm

U.A.E

Graphic Designer Director

Mehdi Trimech

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November 2012 Issue 2

02/10 RAC Nicosia Aspelia Celebrating our 2nd Birthday We had our planned general meeting at Starbucks in Nicosia, and around 9pm, we crossed the street to go to Hustle for some drinks. There we were joined by many friends, from other Rotaract and Rotary clubs. The surprise of the night was a wonderful birthday cake, which was a present from our mother Rotary Club. On the cake, there was an edible picture of our club members, on the night it was chartered at the Presidential Palace back in 2010! After singing the “Happy Birtday” song, all the club blew the candles, wishing for another great year ahead!

ROTARACTION Collection for Dog Shelter and Dogathon As part of our Mega-Twinning project, namely: “Smaller World”, Rotaract club Nicosia Aspelia celebrated International Animals Day by collecting numerous goods for which the Nicosia Dog Shelter is in urgent need. The collection day took place on the 2nd of October at the central Starbucks in Nicosia. Members of our club, friends and supporters brought along old carpets, blankets, wool cloths, cleaners, sterilizers as well as old leashes. The collection was a huge success and resulted in us being thanked by the Nicosia Dog

Shelter at the annual Dogathon event which took place on the 20th of October. Members from Nicosia Aspelia also participated and supported with their dogs the Dogathon event. Moreover our club helped in the promotion of the raffle tickets issued by the Nicosia Dog Shelter and managed to collect 190 euros to help the shelter survive. What started out as a minor project and as part of our twinning evolved into a big and successful event. On this note we would like to thank everyone for contributing to this success.

Recruitment Event and Facebook campaign The Public Relations & Social Media along with the Membership & Recruitment Committee of Rotaract Club Nicosia Aspelia for the current year seem to be more active than ever. As a result, October 2012 was a month of active promotion of Rotaract Nicosia Aspelia by raising awareness and gaining publicity using alternative channels to reach prospective members. On the 2nd of October was our first ever recruitment event at the University of Nicosia. Members of our club were present at the cafeteria of the University of Nicosia from 11.00 to 14.00. Rotaract Club Nicosia Aspelia was offer-

ing cookies to the students whilst showing a promotional video with images from our various events. Members were handing out flyers informing the students about our club as well as Rotaract in general and talking to people who showed a particular interest. As a result, visits to our website and “likes” on our facebook page soar. On a different note our club used social media to gain more publicity. The club organised it’s first ever official facebook campaign named “proud to be an Aspelian”. From the 19th until the 28th of October our members were asked to simultaneously change

their timeline cover photo and upload an image specifically designed for this campaign. The cover photo was both smart and funny, and designed in a way to intrigue viewers and get them to visit our website www.rotaractaspelia.com. The event was a big success as most members actively participated and changed their cover photos thus further helping create awareness for our club.

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RAC Limassol Berengaria

RAC Limassol Amathusia

29/09 Let’s do it Cyprus Clean up We cleaned up the Dasoudi area from garbage together with some members of the Rotaract Club of Limassol Amathusia and some of our Rotarians. Especially the big parking lot behind Pizza Hut was very dirty and we managed to make it look clean and tidy again! We were part of an effort of more than 5000 people cleaning up throughout the whole island! 07/09 Visit to the Berengaria Hotel & Troodos Picnic Our Rotaract club went for a visit to the famous Berengaria Hotel in Prodromos. We took pictures of the Hotel and our Club Service Director Angelina told us the story of the history of the hotel. Afterwards we went to a picnic side in Troodos and had nice food, drinks and fun!

11/10 Rotary & Rotaract Limassol Amathusia Joint Meeting Rotaractors of Limassol Amathusia were cordially invited to join their Rotarians in a meeting, in honour of “Youth”. Firstly, everyone enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Kanika Pantheon Hotel, followed by the pinning of four new Rotaract members, Emilios Petropoulos, Charalambos Kattos, Christos Tziortzis and Sofianos Rezk by the Rotarian President, Mr Neoklis Thoma. These four new Rotaractors, who contribute to their Rotaract Club, each in their own way are an indication of how Rotaract recruitment is of great importance for it does not only “refresh” a club but also ensures Rotaract continuity and enhances Rotaract Awareness. A speech followed by the Rotaract President, Katerina Petrides regarding the youth of Cyprus and the latest developments with the increasing unemployment. The evening ended with an amazing presentation by Evie Tsolaki, the Chairman of Limassol’s Social Welfare Committee, who, along with the Municipality of Limassol, welfare services and some volunteers, have created and maintain a “social supermarket” in order assist low income families with their needs, such as free food or some second hand clothing and footwear, in good condition. Setting a great example with all her community service, Mrs Tsolaki lives by a motto shared by all members of the Rotarian family “Service Above Self”.

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RAC Nicosia 12 & 13/10 TeamBuilding in Cavo Maris Hotel, Protaras The aim of this event was to improve communication between the members and learn about one’s strengths and weaknesses through various activities and ice breakers. At the first day we did some exercises consist of a variety of tasks designed to develop group members and their ability to work together effectively. Some of the activities were the blind folding and the Guess who? Game. Most of the games helped us see how other members see us, how the team works together and discover better methods of communication. The second day was just social activities that encourage members to spend time together and get to know each other better. It was a relaxing and the same time learning experience for all of us!

ROTARY & ROTARACT WALL Rotaract Club Larnaca Kition: District 2450 Our club is a group of young people consisting several talented persons with a variety of backgrounds. We were charted on February 22nd 2011. The official club meeting is held once a month at a Hotel, however we meet regularly in outgoings and other activities. Our club’s founder is Louisa Georgiou, which we would like to congratulate for her newborn and for her hard work in the club. President: Kyriacos Christofides christofidisk@me.com www.rotaractlarnacakition.org

18/10 Professional Development Event The aim was to do something different that would make us feel good and positive, so we decide to do a Laughter Yoga event with Aleen Andreou of PeopleAchieve. Laughter Yoga combines unconditional laughter with Yogic Breathing (Pranayama). We learned that anyone can laugh for no reason, without relying on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter is simulated as a body exercise in a group; with eye contact and childlike playfulness, it soon turns into real and contagious laughter. The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits. Dr. Madan Kataria, a Physician from Mumbai, India, launched the first Laughter Club at a Park on March 13, 1995. Today, it has become a worldwide phenomenon with more than 6000 Social Laughter Clubs in about 60 countries. As expected the event was a considered a great success by all 30 people attending and everyone left feeling relaxed and happy. RAC Nicosia is grateful to Aleen Andreou and all those attending who by participating in this event unknowingly spread peace within and beyond.....

Rotary Club Larnaca Kition: ID 28389, District 2450 The Rotary Club of Laranca – Kition was established in the summer of 1991. The emblem of the Club is the Cyclopean Walls of ancient Kitium, which are considered to be one of the most important archeological sites in Cyprus. The Rotary Club of Larnaca – Kition since its establishment has a course very rich in activities which on the one hand comprise a historical consignment and on the other hand a guarantee to better tomorrow for the Rotary. President 2012 – 2013: Costas Demetriades cyemail@cy.net www.rotary-cyprus.org/larkition/

If in the words of Mother Teresa “Peace begins with a smile” then we definitely took it one step further.

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RAC Larnaka Kition 14/10 Animal Fiesta It was the 2nd year that the Animal Fiesta took place at Europe Square, in Phinikoudes. There were a lot of items for sale, such as handmade jewelries, homemade cakes, biscuits, jams, lemonades, sweets, wines, T-shirts, doggy stuff etc. Our volunteers helped in baking cakes that were for sale on the day and also were selling coffee, sandwiches and other drinks. All money raised went to the Aradippou dog shelter, as it is run only by volunteers and needs of our support.’ RAC Kyrenia Liman October Personal Development Seminar We dedicated October as a personal development month and arranged two seminars. These seminars were aim to develop the skills of our members and our young friends. First seminar was body language seminar. A professor which is expert on body language gave us seminar and it was very useful on our internal communication. Second seminar was about cultural

communication. RAC Hilarion An expert on cultural commu- 05/10 Traditional Cyprus nication gave us the seminar. Night Project Rotaract & Rotary Awareness Activities Our president and our Rotary’s oldest member talked about Rotary and Rotaract on a local tv channel. Our president talked about our two projects and they showed the pictures on tv as well.

A lovely dinner was organized with completely traditional Cypriot food enhanced with our own folk dances and songs. Aim of this project was, funding our bigger ongoing project ‘RotaAkut’ that is targeted to be done with more than one Rotaract Clubs which wish to join. This project will be basically training of Rotaractors and purchasing necessary equipment for search and rescue purposes. Thus if it will be needed for force majeure we might be ready

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to help! This traditional evening was organized by the huge efforts of Incoming President Nazif Burak Sezgin and Secretary Feyha Avcısoyu in Kyrenia. Since the main aim was enlargement of the budget, it was planned to make it open to public. Rotarians, Rotaracts friends and many people from the public as well presented there. In the end, all people there were satisfied and we reached to our target! RAC Nicosia Sarayönü 21/10 “Colorful hopes in the sky” kite festival Rotaract Club of Nicosia Sarayönü organised a kite festival “Colourful hopes in the sky” with all proceeds going to Cancer Foundation: House of Hope. House of Hope is especially a place for children with cancer. At this house our childeren can come and socialize, do their homework and enjoy. The festival took place in an open field near the Atatürk Stadium. Our activity started around 10 o’clock in the morning and went on till late noon. There were many activities and games organised for kids. Kites were sold at the place and the club members helped all the coming families. There were also food stalls, face and hand painting as well as gunnysack races. Lots of families came and enjoyed a day together with a nice weather and live music. The kids had the chance to play together with their parents while the parents had the chance to take a trip down the memory lane. The festival was a success with a lot of people attending. The proceedings will be used to buy musical equipment for the childeren suffering from cancer. Pancyprian Initiative: Cyprus Rotaractors Business Cards This great initiative was completed in October 2012. Rotaractors from all over Cyprus now have Rotaract Business Cards. The Cyprus Clubs coordinated perfectly in designing and printing the cards.

Antonios Yemenaris

Banking Professional Membership & Recruitment Director Rotaract Club of Nicosia Aspelia Rotary International District 2450 M: (+357) 99470403 E: yemenaris@gmail.com

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PE R ROTARY EX

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DISTRICT 2450 ROTARACT CALENDAR

November 2012

December 2012

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November 2012 Issue 1

ROTARACTION ROTARACTIONS IN THE PREVIOUS MONTHS

Join Project: Rotaract Club Nicosia Aspelia and Rotaract Club Nicosia at Let’s Do It Cyprus!

The Let’s do it! campaign is the biggest volunteering project in the world that was initiated in 2008. Since then, it has been organized in 91 countries with 22.128 points of garbage dumps mapped on the world trash map. Cyprus participated this year for the first time in this campaign. Rotaract Club Nicosia Aspelia and Rotaract Club Nicosia joined their forces for this cause. Early Saturday morning on the 29th of September 2012 all Rotaractors from Nicosia got together and cleaned up waste in a designated area in Aglantzia near the buffer zone. The cleaning session was followed by a fellowship lunch where both Rotaract clubs had the opportunity to bond and exchange their experiences on past and future projects. Let’s do it again next year!

Joint Fellowship Event: Limassolian Rotaractors on the Battlefield

As part of their club service, the Berengarians Amathusians two Rotaract clubs of Limassol, namely Limassol Amathusia and Berengaria Cosmopolitan, challenged each other on the Battlefield. On the 21st of October, at the village of Aradippou, near the town of Larnaca, the twenty two Limassolian Rotaractors were in a Lazer Combat, developing strategies and overcoming their fear of the dark and nature’s surprises. The various stages of combat included a labyrinth, a battlefield and of course the forest! Some were armed with Scorpios, others with machine guns, but no one can forget the snipers, who can be described in one phrase - “one shot-one kill!”. Driving back home, with some minor cuts and bruises and the loss of car keys, the Limassolian Rotaractors had yet another interactive Rotaxperience, thus enhancing the two Clubs’ relationship. With the elements of human instincts and team spirit, the ultimate aim of Rotaract fellowship was achieved.

Pancyprian Event: Armenia Celebrations

On September 22nd 2012 Rotaractors from all over Cyprus gathered at the Armenaki Restaurant in Nicosia to celebrate the Armenia month. Rotaractors enjoyed a nice evening with plenty Armenian food.