Ericmagazinestpeters by Veronica Bradaschia

Rotaract - Action - Leadership - Service - Fellowship - Fundraising - Developement - International - Europe

ROTARY BRINGS MEN AND WOMEN SOCIAL STATUS RELIGIOUS BELIEFS DIFFERING IN AND NATIONALITY TOGETHER IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY BE MORE INTELLIGIBLE TO EACH OTHER AND THEREFORE MORE SYMPATHETIC AND FRIENDLY*.

ERIC NEWS winter 2015/16

WINTER REM 2016 SAI

agenda

FRIDAY JAN 8th 07.00 – 10.00 Breakfast Enjoy your meal at the hotel restaurant 09.00 – 13.00 ERIC workshops Workshops will take place at the conference halls Novosibirsk and Vladivostok situated on the 18th floor of the hotel. Follow the signs! Coffee and water will be available to you throughout the entire conference. 10.00 – 18.00 Optional activities Make sure to fill this time with amazing adventures and experience. You can find all the details in the Activities section. 18.00 – 20.00 Dinner The dinner will be served at the hotel restaurant at 18.00. 19.00 – 20.30 Buses for the transportation to the Opening Ceremony will be waiting for you at the entrance to the hotel. The first bus leaves at at 19.00, the final bus departs at 20.30.

THURSDAY JAN 7th

20.00 – 21.30 Country booths

08.00 – 20.00 Arrival All guests arriving by plane to St. Petersburg on January 7th will be welcomed by our team at the Pulkovo airport arrival zone and instructed on how to reach the hotel. 21.00 – 04.00 Welcome “Snowy Birthday” party We invite you to our snowy winter Birthday Party! Fine music, exquisite drinks and surprises are waiting for you!

21.30 – 03.00 Opening ceremony+party Discover what a real Russian Fair is, with all its colors, sounds and fun! 03.00 – 03.30 Buses for transportation to the Hotel will be waiting for you at the entrance to the venue. The first bus leaves at 03.00, the final bus departs at 03.30. Be careful not to miss them!

INT PETERSBURG, SATURDAY JAN 9th

SUNDAY JAN 10th

07.00 – 10.00 Breakfast Enjoy your meal at the hotel restaurant 09.00 – 13.00 ERIC Conference All ERIC members are invited to the conference hall Moscow on the 18th floor of the Hotel Coffee and water will be available throughout the entire conference. Lunch will be served between 13:00 – 14:00, at the hotel restaurant. 10.00 – 18.00 Optional activities Make sure to fill this time with amazing adventures and experience 18.00 – 21.00 Optional Limo transfer Enjoy the classy 3-hour ride in a limo all around the main city must sees with some drinks and your friends on board. 19.00 – 20.00 Buses for transportation to Gala will be waiting for you at the entrance to the hotel. The fist bus leaves at 19.00, the final bus departs at 20.00. Be careful not to miss them! 20.00 – 21.00 Cocktail Welcoming glass of champagne will be offered to you at the reception of the Gala venue 21.00 – 02.00 Gala Dinner The Gala theme is New Year Party 02.00 – 02.30 Buses for the transportation to the Hotel will be waiting for you at the entrance to the venue. The first bus leaves at 02.00, the final bus departs at 02.30. Be careful not to miss them!

07.00 – 10.00 Breakfast Enjoy your meal at the hotel restaurant 12.00 Check out We know you would love to stay longer but that is the time to say goodbye. Check-out is not permitted after 12.00 extra changes may apply

Melt the winter, break the ice. Winter REM 2016, SAINT PETERSBURG on the s How did you get the rary decisions: personal PayPal accounts, opening idea to organize a REM a EUR account in the bank, Russian payment syand buid the team? stem, transfers to Finland...this much energy it seems want spent in any other part of organization, The story goes back to but in the end we managed to get all the payments :) time when we came back from EUCO Nice where we What is the strangest question you got from a partook the 3rd place for our ticipant and why ? service project and we felt like we are missing doing When organizing such an event, you get to understand something big and at the the differences between cultures more than in any other same time feeling like to- project! gether we can do everything! :) What is absolutely clear for one country, brings 1000s questions from another :) The part of the team was built by then already. Of course, By now we already have the topwhen making the REM we were doing it with other clubs list of emails and Facebook mesof the city as well, so we had to “widen the borders” of the sages from different countries, team. At first it was hard to start working together, but the which sounded absolutely weird it would not have been possible without our further work went, the better we were functioning like a or funny to us :) real team. Oh, how many times we wanted friendship, devotion and to write a joke in response!!!, team work. What was your biggest challenge in the organiza- but we tried to stay professional tion? as we perfectly understand that most of those questions come Accepting payments and making the system working pro- from cultural difference. perly! That is also the reason why we can’t really say, that these In our constant run for a better service, we wanted to make questions are strange. We although have one favorite queit easier and cheaper for everyone to pay for their packages, stion :) and offer alternative ways of payment other than simple It sounded like this: “if we are coming to REM from City bank transfer, but it took us far more time than expected X on Jan,7th, which flight shall we take?” - now you can to get a corporate account on PayPal to accept money! judge, if it is a strange question :) We were constantly looking for different tempo-

spotlight

we not only strengthened our friendly ties with each other, but also experienced that famous synerWhat are you the most proud of? gy effect when a team is something much There are lots of things I could mention to greater than each inanswer this question. However one achiedividual separately vement stands out from the rest. HOC We had furious dimanaged to invite and convince 450 Roscussions and debataractors to come to St.Petersburg in the tes on various orgacoldest time of the year - in winter. We nizational topics. And are expecting guests from 45 counthis all has proven tries. Temperatures in some of those that it would not never drop below zero. Many have have been possible without our probably never experienced winter friendship, devotion and team work. that cold. But still - they are coming Throughout the preparations we not only to melt the winter in real Rotaract strengthened our friendly ties with each spirit. I am proud of that! other, but also experienced that famous synergy effect when a team is soWhat is you best souvenir of the ormething much greater than each ganization and can you explain why? individual separately. This has been a real pleasure to work together! Our team worked hard to make REM 2016 memorable and unforgettable for Enjoy your time in St.Petersburg! each one of the participants. We worked days and night to deliver the best results.

In this -freezing - number...

hot news!

* quote from Paul Harris

E Dear friends, it seems like yesterday I was starting to prepare the first magazine - and here comes the second one of the year - and reading all these incredible documents and experiences you are sharing with the rest of us . I said documents as the word itself comes from latin “doc-eo” which means “to teach”. Indeed that is what all your stories and experiences do. They teaches us, from all corners of the world - with different cultures and traditions and therefore different ways of growing within the rotaract ethics- other ways to grow and to experience our association. For this reason I want to thank you, for giving us the chance to grow our horizons, implement our ideas with new ones, as well as sharing your little bit of goods that together with the rest of ours are making this world, our world, a better place. Please keep sharing with us writing to magazine@rotaracteurope.eu! Yours in Rotaract

Veronica Bradaschia ERIC president 2015/16

editorial

SPECIAL BESP & TCA Assistants have worked in order to make the whole voting process fair and beneficial to all very Rotarian year thousands of Rotaract concerned and to build better friendship. members over Europe are undertaking their new community service projects. It is truly an The Application process will take place betweamazing journey that starts with the beginning en the 1 February 2016 and 29 February 2016. of the Rotarian year when all clubs are set- Afterwards an amazing jury consisting of 16 ting their goals and start to plan their social people (5 groups of 3 people, devided by a certain criteria + our outstanding E.R.I.C. Preprojects for the year. sident Veronica Bradascia) will simultaneously This year the Rotary International President vote upon all the projects selecting the top K.R. Ravindran, member of Rotary club Colom- 5 applicants for both awards. Afterwards it's bo, challenged all of us - Rotarians and Rota- everybody's game as Country Representatives ractors to "be a gift to the world". Ravi belie- are going to choose the winner out of this top ves that we are fully capable and willing to do 5. The jury is still in a deep secret so don't even think to bribe them :) On 23 April 2016 during even a greater service in 2015/2016. the Gala Dinner in Milan the winners will be As you well know every year ERIC supports revealed! "Fellowship through service"

Rotaract clubs in their service by promoting their projects and spreading the word about the great work Rotaractors do. European meetings are giving us the opportunity to meet with each other, exchange our ideas and share our projects. It is a chance to meet other Rotarctors who are willing to contribute to our service project and why not even to find a twin club that shares our thoughts and is willing to help us in the service!?!?

The Whole ERIC Board advices you not to think for long and submit your application!! We need to see your outstanding projects, Rotaractors all over Europe need to see them. The word needs to see your great social work!! Be a gift to the world and don't hesitate to share it!

The motto of Rotaract - "Fellowship through service" give us the benchmark. E.R.I.C. supports clubs in their service by choosing the Best Kristin GAYDAROV European Servise Project (BESP) and supports ERIC Social officer 2015/16 the fellowship by giving the Twin Club Award social@rotaracteurope.eu (TCA). E.R.I.C. Social Officer and the Social 8

RIC supports Rotaract clubs in their service by promoting their projects and spreading the word about the great work Rotaractors do.

“It was a wonderful Rotaract experience, where we discussed the principles of Rotaract, and how to improve ourselves, our organization, and our global community.”

CYPRUS T

here has been a lot going on in the Rotaract community in Cyprus lately!

2nd Rotaract Academy in Cyprus More than 80 Rotaractors and guests participated in the 2nd Rotaract Academy in Cyprus on Saturday the 14th of November 2015. VDRR Antigoni Karakoulli gave a very informative speech about Rotaract and how Rotaractors can be more involved and engaged. As described by the attendees, “It was a wonderful Rotaract experience, where we discussed the principles of Rotaract, and how to improve ourselves, our organization, and our global community.” District Governor Mustafa Nasereddin in Cyprus The D2452 Governor Mustafa Nasereddin visited Cyprus in October. The presidents, board members and members of RAC Nicosia, RAC Nicosia Ledra, RAC Nicosia Aspelia, RAC University of Nicosia/ sponsored by RC Nicosia Aspelia, RAC Kyrenia Liman, RAC Kyrenia St. Hilarion, RAC of Larnaca Kition, RAC of Limassol Amathusia and RAC of Limassol Berengaria Cosmopolitan were present to support not only their clubs, but also Rotaract, and Rotary International. The Deputy District Governor Litsa Aresti, Assistant Governor Iacovos Konstantinides and District Governor 10

Nominee 2017/2018 Christina Covotsou Patroclou also met with the DG during his visit in Cyprus. During the meeting, the Presidents had the chance to talk with the DG about their visions for the RY 2015-16 and their clubs’ projects. They spent an inspiring morning with the DG and the Rotary Cyprus team, brainstorming about how they can encourage leadership development through their projects and how they can best service the community. Also, they discussed ways of personal development and finally how Rotaract and Rotary can be improved, not only in a Cyprus level but also in a District and International level. Special Thanks to Rtn Caterina Kalavas Cyprus Rotaractors would like to thank the Cyprus Membership Extension Chair, Rtn Caterina Kalavas, for her support throughout the year(s), for always being present, and for visiting most of their meetings and events.

Now let’s have a close up to individual clubs in Cyprus. Rotaractors have been very creative and innovative the last few months! Rotaract Club of Larnaca Kition, in partnership with their sponsoring mother club, Rotary Larnaca Kition, is currently fundraising to build a park for children with physical disabilities, in Larnaca, Cyprus. Fundraising projects are on their way! In December, Kitions hosted a Live Jazz night and also invited the well-known Greek band Imam Baildi all the way from Greece for a live music night. The net proceeds from these two events will go towards the park. They have published articles in the press, bombarded the social media, went on air on several radio stations, printed posters to advertise the event all around the city, and targeted large venues for their events to get the word out. They are determined to make this idea a reality by June 2016!

Rotaract Club of Nicosia combined a professional development workshop with community service, by inviting the Clinical Psychologist and Life Coach Annie Pattichi to give a seminar on “Life Coaching and the tools required to achieve personal and professional success”. The aim was to teach people how to consciously look at life differently. Participants were asked to bring bags of foodstuff for the families in need, supported by the charity organisation “Vagoni Agapis”. To raise awareness about women violence, Rotaract Club of Nicosia Sarayonu, prepared a video which was streamed on a local tv station on the 25th of November, the International day for the elimination of violence against women. The video is also posted in the club’s facebook page. A professional development workshop was organized by Rotaract Club of Nicosia Ledra, during which members of the club drew a space (real or imaginary), and experiment with colours of their choice. The choice of colours can indicate aspects of a person’s personality and emotional state. After the workshop, they discussed the qualities of each colour. Ledrans seized the chance to be creative and express themselves through colour. Their drawings proved that all human beings experience the impact of colour in different ways in their lives, although they don’t often realise it.

Katerina Menelaou Cyprus E.R.I.C. Representative 2015-2016

Rotaract Club of Nicosia Aspelia organized a campaign on the 1st of December, the World HIV/AIDS awareness day, to raise awareness about HIV and sexual health. Members of the club were distributing self-designed information sheets in a central area in Nicosia to provide information about HIV and to enable citizens make informed choices about their sex lives. 11

CROATIA 17th Wine Roads of Slavonia and Baranja by Rotaract Club Osijek 12

eing one of the oldest running projects in Croatian District 1913, Wine Roads of Slavonia and Baranja came to their 17th consecutive year bringing Rotaractors and Rotarians from the whole District to the golden valleys and emerald hills of Croatian easternmost regions.

slightly bigger family winery on steep hills above mighty Danube, just a few hundred meters from Croatian-Serbian border. A family whose vineyards were, like many in the region, almost completely destroyed during the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s, presented us with their champions: Graševina, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon ine Roads are a signature project of Rotaract Club and Merlot. As the sun was setting down, we came to our Osijek, and year to year they serve as a kind of big third and last stop – Erdutski vinogradi. Rotaract teambuilding where Croatian Rotaractors meet and discuss while tasting the finest wines in some of seve- Workers in the biggest winery in Croatia, crafting more ral hundred wineries; from small, picturesque family wine- than six million liters of different wines a year, showed ries to several-century old cellars with wine barrels as big us how the wine production works on a large scale with as a small apartment. the most modern technology, while not forgetting it’s past: Organising such a big project needs a lot of preparation we’ve walked through their very first wine cellars made and, for a club of only 9 members, it’s a challenge that is in 1730 and seen the biggest, 75,000 liter in volume, anticipated from early spring when first ideas are brought wine barrel in Croatia. That’s also where we ended our to the table. wine journey with a famous Slavonian dinner, traditional “tamburaši” band, friends from all over the District and, of It’s not an easy decision to choose which wineries to vi- course, lots of fine wine; and around midnight our buses sit, how to get there and with how many buses, where took us back to Osijek where we concluded the 17th Wine to organize accommodation, what kind of menu will be Roads. on the table, what band will be playing in the evening... As always, the greater goal of this project was promotion and all that has to be affordable to a common Rotaractor, of local people and hard work they put in producing “the especially considering the closest Rotaract club to us in the drink of the gods”, and with many praises we got, we can District is 300km away. say that this years’ edition of Wine Roads was by far the Needless to say, most of the work was done by August and biggest and the best in the history of our club. And what with traditional help from our local Rotary clubs of Osijek with the 18th Wine Roads? and Osijek Josip Juraj Strossmayer, everything was set for maybe our best Wine Roads in history. This year we put a Well, next year we’ll be celebrating twenty years of Rolittle more effort in promotion and, from traditional 35-45 taract Club Osijek, so when you add up a Charter anniparticipants, Wine Roads grew to astonishing 80+ parti- versary to another edition of Wine Roads, as we will, you cipants, running close to one hundred when counting in know you’ll be missing out a lot if you don’t reserve one our Rotary friends who came in the evening, making 17th October weekend for an unforgettable Rotaract experienedition of our most popular project the biggest one ever! ce in eastern Croatia.

Everything started with first participants on the evening of Friday 23 of October in Rustika restaurant in Osijek, while the main event was scheduled for the day after. The record Tomislav Metelko, Vice President of Rotaract Club Osijek two buses were packed at 12:30 sharp, when we left from our starting point near historic Tvrđa in Osijek, an 18th century fortress on the right bank of Drava river. After half an hour of driving we came to our first stop – Antunović winery, where our lovely host Ms Jasna Antunović Turk greeted us with traditional “kruha, masti i paprike” snacks, which served as a perfect intro to tasting some of her family’s finest wines, including Muškat Ottonel, Graševina, Silvanac Zeleni and Chardonnay. Next stop was Brzica, a

Rotaract Denmark is paving the way for a tighter collaboration with Rotary As president of Rotaract Denmark I was recently invited by RI Director Per HĂ¸yen to talk at the Institute in Birmingham 2015 about collaboration between Rotary and Rotaract and what Rotary can do towards Rotaract.

DENMARK

Rotary Institute is a gathering of the leaders of Rotary and interested Rotarians to discuss and stay updated on Rotary developments in specific zones (a zone is a collection of districts). This year it was held in November in Birmingham for the zones 15,16, 17 and 18a with 350 participating Rotarians and guests.

My message is that the Rotarians really want to work with us - we just have to reach out and make them aware of us. This became very vivid during my talk where the whole crowd of some 350 people was very energetic and attentive. Chats with key Rotarians Some of the things I suggested during my presentation were joint President Elect Training Seminars (PETS), joint district conferences, mentorship program, joint projects, common social events and meetings in the district. I also stressed that the governor is also representing Rotaract in the district. Why not invite him or her to your local Rotaract club? During the Institute I had the possibility to talk to many interesting people from very different backgrounds. I also got to chat with most of the Danish governors and governors elect to get to know them and hopefully pave the way for much smoother future collaborations. 14

If you have the chance to participate in a larger Rotary event like Rotary Institute, I can only recommend you to go for it. You can see the talk here: https://youtu.be/oea4TztVXFY Tightening the bonds between Rotaract and Rotary In the meantime the various Rotaract clubs in Denmark are each doing their best to constantly improve and expand the relations with the local Rotary clubs. And we are really starting to see the impact. In the club of Copenhagen Nord, for instance, it is a requirement that new Rotaract members visit both founding Rotary clubs before they can be accepted as new members in the club. At the same time, the club has signed a collaboration contract with both Rotary clubs, which establishes a set of common goals for the collaboration. And much further to the west, in Holstebro Rotaract, the rotaractors and Rotarians are tightening the bonds between the two organisations by personally inviting each other to the respective clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meetings. The Rotaract members have also been giving presentations at Rotary meetings in order to brainstorm on common challenges and opportunities in terms of recruitment and retention of members. All in all I am very confident about the future collaboration between Rotaract and Rotary in Denmark. 15

Jens Christian Steenvinkel Pedersen President of Rotaract Denmark (MDIO)

Ø/Ö International Weekend in Copenhagen and Malmö Dear friends, dear Rotaractors, I have the great pleasure and honour to tell you briefly about my experience of the first International Ø/Ö Rotaract Weekend in Copenhagen and Malmö. It was not my first time in Denmark nor in Sweden and that is one of the reasons I definitely wanted to participate in this weekend. The weekend was sunny and fresh and I was in lovely Scandinavia. What can I say about this wonderful weekend? The welcome I got was so warm and reassuring that it makes you feel home within 5 minutes. I was a very lucky man as I could stay with 2 great friends during the weekend. Friday started great with a traditional dinner in a local Danish tavern where we ate some of the most exquisit dishes this lovely country has to offer; salmon, sour-sweet herring, lovely liver paste, sour cream, rye-bread sandwishes...yummie! Afterwards we went to the ZEN club where the organization managed to get us an open bar for over 2 hours. Once again congratulations to the Danes for their part of the weekend. Next morning there was a lovely boat trip in Copenhagen...so they told me :-) I unfortunately missed it as I didn’t come home until around 5 AM. What a great first day! Crayfish – lots of crayfish Saturday I was going to my second famous “Cray Fish Party” in only a couple of weeks. The Malmö team chartered a vintage boat in the docks which was beautifully decorated. A Cray Fish Party is a lot of work, but also a lot of fun! The lobsters take some time to prepare, to cook, to crack them open and to eat it but at the same time you sing some funny Swedish songs and you poor everything down with a genuine Aquavit. A very strong liquor which you feel flowing from your pinky to your little toe. And let’s not forget the dress code! A funny little birthday hat and a bib. After dinner we had a quiz evening where we learned that we were no less than 14 different nationalities present at the weekend, and that the highest building in whole Scandinavia is located in Malmö. My team, the “Dancing Queens” came in 2nd after a fierce contest. The evening ended in the hull of the ship where we danced all night long on the sounds of ABBA, Mumford and Sons, Juan Luis Guerra and many others. So what should you do next year? Come over and join me of course for the next edition of this great gathering organized by some of the nicest and most talented rotaractors in Scandinavia. Plunge into this great culture and come and meet and greet people from all over Europe. I discovered this song during the weekend and it will give you the feeling of the weekend; Happiness :-) => https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozx898ADTxM A special thank you to Nathalie Søndergaard, Elin Bechtel and Anders Forslund Puss och kram/Kys og knus, Simon Ginis, Rotaract Brussels Coudenberg International, Belgium

//Save the date: UPCOMING EVENTS

What is DeuKo actually? The annual Conference in Germany For this, the club proved itself against (DeuKo) is the highest decision-ma- other candidates at the last DeuKo in king body of Rotaract Germany. Augsburg with a project plan and a presentation. The main objectives here are to Up to 1000 members of the Roexchange information and ideas, and tary family are expected from for Rotaract clubs to network with over 170 RACs and RCs. The Welcome Party each other. In addiand the Gala Ball give tion to electing a new The main participants the ideRotaract Deutschland objectives here al opportunity for Komitee (RDK), new are to exchange networking. ideas are introduced, information and ideas, The highlight of the requests made for and for Rotaract clubs to conference is the cetheir implementation network remony on Sunday and rotary topics are with each other. morning. discussed. The comDuring the ceremony, mittees of the rein addition to the anpresentatives of the RDKs and workshops on topics such nouncement of the elections for the as preparation for office, public rela- Federal Social Action and DeuKo 2017, tions, project management, "What Awards such as the BestAct for the is Rotaract?" etc. not only provide best social project or the Best Pictuinformation to new and old Rotaract re Award will be awarded. At Sunday members, but also address the "fur- lunch a speech concludes the DeuKo ther development" of Rotaract in Ger- weekend. A high-caliber speaker gives many. Mid April 2016, the Rotaract a lecture on a subject relevant to RoGermany Conference will be held in taract. the Millennium Hall Braunschweig.

painting - Quaglio, Domenico: Braunschweig, Ruhf채utchenplatz von S체den

GERMANY 4th GermanTrip Rotaract Germany would love to invite you to take part in the GermanTrip 2016. Join us from April 25th till May 4th 2016 to explore Germany at its best. This year’s theme is “Wanderlust” a German word with an international meaning,expressing the desire to discover and travel around the world - the perfect mixture of what the GermanTrip stands for. You should apply if you have always wanted to get used to the German culture

in its variety, discover its landscape from the sea to the mountains and make new international friends. The application period starts on December 15th, 2015 and ends on January 15th 2016. For more information check out the homepage: http://germantrip.rotaract.de/ “Wanderlust” a German word with an international meaning,expressing the desire to discover and travel around the world

Braunshweig, city

Twin-Club-Challenge - RAC Bremen vs. RAC Galatasaray Istanbul As the new Clubyear began the RAC Bremen has challenged it’s twin club, the RAC Galatasaray Istanbul to join their twin club Challenge. Therefore a schedule with several little challenges has been developed. The time periods differ from about 4 to 10 weeks depending on the challenge. They can relate to international Rotaract Events, such as the EuCo, oder the REM, or demand creativity. Some of them are also designed to introduce the other clubs members. Among the challenges there’s a „who-is-who“ of all the members, „be a gift to your twin club“, or a meeting on the

REM in Saint Petersburg. The Skype cooking, for which the Clubs won the Twin-Club-Award in 2012/2013, marked the beginning of the Twin Club Challenge in November. The last challenge is a E-Conference , where both Clubs report about their years highlights. The main goal of the project is to strengthen the friendship between the clubs and keep in touch over the whole club year. You can follow the project on the common blog of the RACs. The link can be found on the Facebook page of the RAC Bremen

Did you know... ?

reece (Greek: Ελλάδα Elláda) is a country in Southern Europe, on the southernmost tip of the Balkan peninsula, with extensive coastlines and islands in the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas. It has an ancient culture that has had a significant influence on the arts, language, philosophy, politics, and sports of western society, including the genres of comedy and drama, western alphabets, Platonic ideals and the Socratic method, democracies and republics, and the Olympics. Furthermore it’s a geographically appealing place to visit, with a mountainous mainland and idyllic island beaches. Athens (Greek: θήνα, Athína), is the capital city of Greece with a metropolitan population of 5.7 million inhabitants. It is in many ways the birthplace of Classical Greece, and therefore of Western civilization. The sprawling city is bounded on three sides by Mt Ymettos, Mt Parnitha and Mt Pendeli; whilst inside Athens are twelve hills [the seven historical ones are: Acropolis, Areopagus, Hill of Philopappus, Observatory Hill (Muses Hill), Pnyx, Lykavittos (Lycabettus), Tourkovounia (Anchesmus)], the Acropolis and Lykavittos being the most prominent. These hills provide a refuge from the noise and commotion of the crowded city streets, offering amazing views down to Saronic Gulf, Athens’ boundary with the Aegean Sea on its southern side. The streets of Athens (clearly signposted in Greek and English) now meld imperceptibly into Piraeus, the city’s ancient (and still bustling) port. Places of interest to travellers can be found within a relatively small area surrounding the city centre at Syntagma Square (Plateia Syntagmatos). This epicentre is surrounded by the districts of the Plaka to the south, Monastiraki and Thissio to the west, Kolonaki to the northeast and Omonia to the northwest.

GREECE G

reek Clubs from both 2470 and 2484 Rotaract Districts have been especially active in the autumn season, focusing on strengthening children education and healthcare, as well as supporting the refugees travelling through Greece in the recent months. Below are mentioned only some of the many initiatives and actions taken by the Clubs from both districts in Greece.

named “Egg” was organized by one of the Clubs, aiming at enhancing its members’ professional self-development. Members from various clubs in Athens attended the seminar and had the opportunity to test the HR assessment tool developed by the company, which uses gaming to predict candidate performance. One Rotaract club from Thessaloniki adopted a child from Zimbambwe through Actionaid and another one in the same city collected a huge amount of plastic caps in order for the municipality Medication and necessities of over 2.500 euros were to buy later on a wheel chair for people with disabilities. donated to the refugee camp in Elaionas, Athens and a dental care center inside the refugee camp is on the way to be build in cooperation with Rotary Club of Athens. Members of Rotaract Clubs in Crete participated in a blood donation day in their local hospitals. Clubs of both districts actively supported the fight against Brest Cancer disease by participating in the “Greece Race for Cure” 5 km marathon that took place in Athens and attended sessions on Breast Cancer prevention and treatment. One club is in progress of buying specialized medical equipment with the plan to create a mammography unit in the hospital of the island of Rhodes. A fundraising event, with the participation of a famous clothes designer, was organized in Athens and the event’s earnings were donated to the “Floga Foundation”, a Greek NGO which helps kids with cancer and their families. All clubs have provided food, clothes/shoes and necessities to their local public ration centers and public institutions, for people in need. One club donated more than 50 kilos of food supplies to their local ration center. Given the beginning of the school year, many clubs also provided educational material and toys to public schools and to orphanages . Excellent students of local schools were also awarded prizes. An information seminar with a Greek startup company 21

UKRAINIAN TRIP 2015 We understood that it was necessary as never before to open our country to the world, to let people create the impression about Ukraine based not on media and gossips, but from personal experience.

ast year Rotaract clubs of Ukraine came across a question, around which was pretty tough discussion, - either to organize our favorite and already traditional Ukrainian Trip after we had a break in 2014 considering the situation in our country. From one side, the situation after the revolution didn’t come to the normal and absolutely peaceful pace, Ukraine is a country with war on the small territory on the East on what we can’t close eyes, of course. We realized possible reaction on invitation for the trip – it could be dangerous. However, we also understood that it was necessary as never before to open our country to the world, to let people create the impression about Ukraine based not on media and gossips, but from personal experience. We wanted to show that peaceful people live here, they love their homeland, which pretty high reputation of Ukrainian Rotaract roundtrip shouldn’t disappear even today. So, the decision was not easy, but Ukrainian Trip 2015 had to be held, however, in smaller scale than previous years. We were ready to invite only up to 6 participants and meet them only in Kyiv and the cities of western Ukraine – Rivne, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv. After difficult selection between all the received application forms, we welcomed participants from Germany (Christopher), Egypt (Islam), Canada (Tanisia), Austria (Rene), and Sweden (Sanja). And since it was the anniversary of UkrTrip – the 10th addition – we decided to cancel some limitations and let even previous participants apply. So Peter from Austria became the 6th lucky participant (he took part also in UkrTrip’13). The rich program with absolutely new elements gave the new breath to the project. For the first time in capital participants rode the trolley above Dnipro river and landed right to the first their party on Trukhaniv island; they were impressed on the museum of corruption in Mezhyhirya. Rivne Rotaract club traditionally welcomed guests by family atmosphere: the real surprise was a festive meeting after a long trip at midnight. Despite of the fact that Ivano-Frankivsk organized trip for the very first time, staying there 22 was the longest.

The local club showed the beauty of Ukrainian Carpathians and let feel the local spirit. Rotaract club Lviv combined Ukrainian Trip with District conference and celebration of their 20th anniversary. What can prove the success better than the feedbacks of participants? * What is your brightest memory after the UT? Sanja (Sweden): The silly puns among six of us. Christopher (Germany): My brightest memory after the UT is the reminiscence of the marchutka busrides. Being back in Germany I miss the bumpy roads and the feeling of sitting all close together and making fun about the ride. I also miss the great food, the tasty shaschlik meat and the amazing cucumber salads! Peter (Austria): Among the many amazing impressions, colorful emotions, and the warm welcome at each club, how to pick a single event.. maybe the unexpected welcome party in Rivne.. what a surprise after a eight hour bus ride.. past midnight, delicious food, a wonderful guitar performance, and many more small details. * What cultural difference between Ukraine and your country impressed you the most and why? Sanja: Ukrainian guys willing to take my suitcase 6 floors up. Christopher: The most impressing was the strength of the Ukrainian women in society and the respect for them. German women are also strong but in a very different way. As an example when sitting in the metro or the bus the guys would offer their seats to the girls, so that they could sit down. After noticing I also stood up and offered my seat to a lady, who just entered the full metro. As a reward she dedicated her nicest smile to me and said “Spassiva”. It felt really good. She made me feel strong and manly in that moment. Back in Germany everybody was just sitting in the train or bus, not even looking at the other people or even considering to offer their seat. The respect for the ladies is also not that big. They do not get that much attention. Another example was when we were all standing on the pavement. A lady walked passed and did not get through. She started to complain and as fast as possible we cleared the way, so that she could get through. In Germany the lady would have just tried to make her way through the people, maybe hitting at ones shoulder to get passed or just walk around the people. But here it was taken for granted that we would move and make some space for her. In Ukraine as a guy you are much more willing to help a girl. In Germany you are afraid to help, because you never know the reaction you get back, but you can be sure, it will not be such a nice smile and deep eye contact like a Ukrainian woman would share with you. 23

Peter: Compared to Austria, Ukrainian people are certainly more emotional, more entrepreneurial, and also more resilient. I was really impressed about the positive attitudes and resilience of most Rotaractors, despite the awful conditions in the country for some time now. Just imagine, if things improve again! * What thing from your home country did you miss the most during the UT and why? Sanja: Elevators, escalators, curb ramps so I wouldn’t need any chivalry around with my suitcase. Christopher: Clean toilets and nice sanitation facilities and soft toilet paper. Peter: Regular contact with my best friends.. and my daily bubble bath;) Besides that, I didn’t miss much.. you made me feel like home after a day in each city,! Indeed, it’s a wonderful country to live in (as long as you don’t have to work there) * Please, share your favourite activities in each city you visited. Sanja: Kyiv: zip line and the museum of corruption, Rivne: welcome surprise party, the gig, Lutsk, Tarakaniv, tunnel of love; Ivano-Frankivsk: Bukovel, ethno village; Lviv: gala dinner+concert, city tour on Sunday (chocolate factory, coffee brewery, towers, roofs...). Christopher: In Kyiv I enjoyed the nice views from the hills around the city. Best here was the skyride over the Dnipro, which truly was exciting as hell. I really recommend this to anybody visiting Kyiv. We had a great view over the city especially with the sun being low and shimering in the water of the river 24 and reflecting from the city. In Rivne I really enjoyed the barbecue

and the funny ukrainian games like the kamasutra game which we played. Next time at the beach with a group of friends I will definetly introduce that game. In Ivano-Frankivsk I very much liked relaxing in the sauna and enjoying some phenomenal amazing fruit tea and enjoying great ukrainian food prepared by our hosts and sitting with my “Ukrainian Family” at the big table. In Lviv the district conference with the 20 years charter was mind blowing and a great celebration. Peter: Kyiv: ride to Trukhanov island and Shashlik there. Rivne: surprise welcome party, and rock concert in a pub. I-F: over-night stay in the mountains. Lviv: District conference presentations. * Would you like to visit Ukraine outside the UT program, and what would you like to expirience? Sanja: Sure! Other cities like Odesa or Yalta. Or come back to the ones we visited and check what we missed. Christopher: I definitely would like to visit Ukraine again outside the UT program. Next time I would like to travel even further east towards Odessa and the Crimea area, but also visit the people I was able to meet at the trip. Thanks to UT I truly fell in love with the country, the people and the women! Peter: Yes, I’ll be back!! And now…. Are you ready for the Ukrainian Trip 2016??? It will be in June and we are happy to work on it. Follow our FB page https://www.facebook.com/ukrainiantrip/ and check e-mails from ERIC to get known about details and the beginning of the applying process. And we’re looking forward welcoming you in Ukraine!

Are you ready for the Ukrainian Trip 2016??? It will be in June! Follow our FB page https://www.facebook.com/ ukrainiantrip/ and check e-mails from ERIC And weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking forward welcoming you in Ukraine!

Written by Marianna Nahirniak UT Coordinator RAC Kyiv-Centre

“More than 100 Smiles” – a project that enlightens a life of lonely and disadvantaged seniors Good will initiative “More than 100 Smiles” helps to enlighten solitary and disadvantaged seniors life for 8th years in a row. Targeting one of the socially most sensitive group of people, Vilnius Rotaract club project In a cooperation with other Rotaracts and Rotary clubs in Vilnius help to fulfill the dreams of one hundred and more socially vulnerable seniors. The initiative helps them to make their Christmas wishes come true right before one of the most beautiful time of a year. “More than 100 Smiles” is carried out in a cooperation with non-governmental organization CARITAS and Social Support Center in Vilnius Municipality. This partnership allows Vilnius Rotaract club members to get in touch with social employees and seniors in order to find out the needs and dreams of every senior individually. Surprisingly, very little is needed to bring a glimpse of joy to the eyes of elders. One visit, showed sincere concern and the story that was listened is more what they ask. As the project became annual, Vilnius Rotaract club members get to visit the seniors they already know and visited last year or the year before. That’s how the connection with those who have no one else to come is created and maintained. We are very happy, that our project helps to develope social responsibility of the community. It is greatly satisfying to see how this project is growing every year. Last Christmas Vilnius Rotaract club members were able to visit more than 190 lonely and pooly living old people and last year they visited more than 260 poor elders who literally have forgotten what the festive joy is. In addition, “More than 100 Smiles” continues even after the holidays season is over. There are more than 30 seniors that live in extreme poverty and share very poor health. Those seniors require permanent and special assistance, therefore, Vilnius Rotaract club members visit and support them throughout the entire year.

LITHUANIA 27

RYLA NORTH AMERICA 2015 We, Elisabeth Krassnigg (RAC Wien-Graben) and Johannes Steininger (RAC Graz), attended the EUCO in Bucharest in May of 2015. There we heard a really motivating speech about the RYLA North America in Washington starting that July. We looked at each other and immediately decided that we want to go there. We booked the flight and on July 17th we flew to New York. After some days of sightseeing in the big apple we took the bus to Washington D.C. where the actual conference took place. We were accommodated in the student dormitories at the George Washington University. Around 300 young Rotaractors from almost 50 nations got together for this event. It was amazing to meet with people from Haiti, to talk to people from Egypt, to have fun with students from Texas and to joke around with Australians. All together an awesome mixture of cultures and nations. The program of the conference was diversified: On the one hand we had interesting lectures about leadership followed by plenary sessions, group sessions and many different workshops about Rotaract and Rotary. On the other hand we were either attending a formal meeting at an embassy (like the one from Argentina or Bosnia and Herzegovina) or partied in one of the best know clubs in D.C.. The RYLA team organised a lot of side events like a visit to the delegation of the European Union or a tour through the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Libary of Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court. The team emphasized on the diversity of this conference and organized an international talent show where everyone could present something traditional from their home country (we both were dancing typical Viennese Waltz ). We also had a chance to present our district in a country booth on the RYLA country exhibition. On top of that we presented district project like „Ich Helfe Laufend“ and “Rotaractors United for Nepal” in front of a broad audience. The “Rotaractors United for Nepal” presentation really got a lot of attention and applause. In fact people were so motivated that they organized an on-site fundraiser to contribute to this project. At the end of the conference around 250$ (?) were raised that were immediately donated to the cause! It was an amazing experience to visit Washington D.C. and to get in touch with so many Rotaractors from all over the world. We can only recommend everybody go there and do it! For further information check out: www.rylanorthamerica.com 28

Elisabeth Krassnigg and Johannes Steininger

RYLA NA 2016 The RYLA Conference in North America is an intense leadership training program that is designed to recognize, encourage, and further develop the leadership skills of 18-30 year olds who have shown a potential for rendering important service to their local communities. All Rotaractors, non-Rotaractors, RYLA alumni, former Youth Study Exchange, former Group Study Exchange alumni, former Ambassadorial Scholar alumni, former Interactors and former Peace Scholars between the ages of 18-30 can participate in this conference. The 2016 RYLA Conference in North America will be the 8th annual conference held in our region. The conference will be in Washington, DC, USA and will be from Tuesday, July 12, 2016 and will end on Sunday, July 17, 2016. The RYLA Conference in North America is a combination of International RYLA, Rotaract Pre-Convention, USCC (United States-Canada-Caribbean Rotaract Conference) and District 7620 RYLA Program. The Inaugural 2009 RYLA North America Conference was held in Washington, DC, USA from July 1, 2009 to July 5, 2009. RYLA North America Conference George Washington University Washington, DC, USA

Experience the conference with us and come join us July 12-17, 2016. For USD 410.00, you will get 12 meals, including 3 embassy dinners, multiple Rotaract workshops with several workshops in French & Spanish, leadership sessions, Rotary projects, group sessions, Dinner & Dance Gala, Tours of the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Library of Congress, U.S. Supreme Court & Kayaking on the Potomac and make new friends from around the world....

POLAND Kids Helping Kids 2015: Celebrating Three Years of Success In 2013 our club, Rotaract Kraków-Wawel, came up with the idea for a service project called “Kids Helping Kids (KHK)” and we are in our third consecutive year of success! The goal of the project was to help children from orphanages as well as from special behavioral centers. Many of these kids and teenagers are usually left without economical and emotional aid, so we decided to empower youth by showing older kids that they have the power to not only help themselves, but others as well. This way we hope to spread the idea of service above self to the community outside of the Rotary family.

and under this theme, the kids from both countries exchanged traditional handmade crafts. This year, in the spirit of Christmas, we organized ornament and cookie decorating workshops for our kids. Everyone had so much fun and the end result was 40 ornaments and over 150 original gingerbread cookies! The funds raised from the selling of these ornaments will go towards aiding the St. Gabriel’s Home Foundation in Arusha, Tanzania, a children’s home that offers assistance to kids born in prison. For more information and pictures, please visit our facebook page www.facebook.com/KHKrotaract.

We will continue Kids Helping Kids as an annual service During the first edition of KHK, we organized three weeks project in the hopes that it expands internationally with of photography workshops for teenagers, which many Rotaract clubs participating throughout the world! were then exhibited at a local art gallery and sold at auction. The funds raised from the auction were then used to purcha- Jagoda Zmarz, Anetta Rauf se a baby bottle sterilizing machine for an orphanage that Rotaract Klub Kraków-Wawel takes in sick infants with life threatening diseases. The teenagers received thank you prizes as well as had something impressive to put on their CV, while the younger children received much needed hygienic equipment. Last year, we wanted to get even more creative and as a result, the project went international. In partnership with our neighboring club, Rotaract Ivano-Frankivsk, we organized painting and decoupage workshops for kids. The goal was 30 to further international goodwill and cultural understanding

Christmas magic in Poznan In Poznan we are all under the Christmas spell, so that our project in December are in this theme. Firstly, we made good use of the money collected during “Change Makes a Change” social project, done while REM Poznan Autumn 2015. It enabled us to prepare “The Noble Box “ , which is a way to provide direct aid to struggling families, so that they get impulse to change their life. We got a “Letter to Santa” from the family, in which their needs and wishes were listed (some very basic, like “warm winter jacket” for a little boy), bought those gifts, wrapped it up during our meeting and delivered to the organizers of “The Noble Box” project (for more info go to: https:// www.szlachetnapaczka.pl/en). This way the family got exactly what they needed! We also believe, that there is much more pleasure in giving than in getting things. Playing “Father Christmas Helpers” we organized workshops for children from one of our co-working institutions. They, with just a little help from us, made fabulous gifts for their loved-ones: mini-Christmas trees and natural cosmetics in fancy decorated jars. It means a lot to those kids to be able to give someone they like such a wonderful present and teaches them the pleasure of sharing!

Today

you

are

giving (romanian translation: Astazi tu daruiesti)

The four Rotaract clubs from Iasi invited hundreds of people to donate non-perishable food for individuals or families in need. From 11 to 13 December we managed to collect over 150 kilograms of food in order to make Christmas more beautiful for those who don’t have anything to put on the table. We formed an alliance with our Interact members so that upon entering the store, we could explain to people how they can donate and identify the Rotaract basket. People reacted very positive and they have expressed interest since the first minute. The ‘Today you are giving “is an initiative of District 2241 Rotaract Romania and Moldova, which aims to support people with limited financial possibilities, by collecting nonperishable food in big supermarkets. These foods will then reach the beneficiaries, both in urban and rural areas. In recent years, Rotaract clubs in Romania and Moldova managed to collect over 50 tons of nonperishable food, which were then donated.

The

workshop

hope

(romanian translation: Atelierul Sperantei)

Rotaract Iasi Copou invited the community to help upgrade the shelter St. Andrew in Iasi through their commitment for the charitable projects reunited under the sign of the Workshop of hope. Our volunteers along with children from the institution have developed a range of specific Christmas decorations. One by one, wreaths, baubles, stars and small Christmas trees were brought alive with joy and happiness by “genuine” craftsmen. We sang Christmas carols, we glued our hands, we laughed and we built a strong team, as we did last year. It took us more than 6 hours, but the smile on the children’s face was priceless. In the end, Santa`s little Rotaract helpers managed to organize and finish the preparation stage so we can launch the invitation to the community to buy the hand made products from our shopping bench placed at Palas Mall Iasi.

ROMANIA 32

Heart nian

beat,

translation:

heart

walk

Promenada

(romainimilor)

Together with our Rotary Clubs from Iasi and along with the National Forum for Prevention Foundation and Romanian Heart, we wrote another chapter of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hearts promenadeâ&#x20AC;? in the city center park where we had encouraged people to move, to walk, to run as a means of prevention of cardiovascular disease. The World Heart Day was the perfect time to synchronize our best practices, because a walk a day, keeps the doctor away. Over 100 people said YES to our initiative on 27 of September. Together we walked one kilometer and we organized short running races inside the Copou park. Our youngest participant was only 7 years old. Besides the practical part, our Rotaract members raised awareness about the fact that one of three Romanians suffer from hypertension. Seven million Romanians suffer from one of the manifestations of generalized cardiovascular disease. All these diseases are preventable and daily movement is central to our way of life optimization. We took the opportunity to launch invitations for the 2016 Half Marathon race, which we will be organizing in April.

55 pool lengths for safe surgeries carried on children (Swimathon) After the success of our first participation at the Swimathon project, the four Rotaract Clubs from Iasi, in the partnership with a local NGO, had reunited their forces for a new swimming challenge. We raised awareness on our cause and we started training. On the 4th of July, each successful pool length was received with rounds of applauses and donations by the public. The Rotaract team managed to do 55 of them. Of course we had to thank our wonderful cheerleading squad for their support and the high-decibels level of support. We raised the funds for a pediatric laparoscopic surgery set which contains pieces used differently depending on the age of the operated child. Till then, doctors in pediatric surgery clinic were forced to perform surgeries using the same tools, whatever the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s age. Our fundraising project continued during this autumn and we managed to purchase an essential tool for safe and modern surgeries. We started our training sessions so that next year we can overcome our swimming record.

RGBI Dear European Rotaractors, We are now almost half way through the Rotary year already! The Rotaract in Great Britain and Ireland (RGBI) executive have been working hard and here are some of the things we’ve been up to!

he RGBI Conference is just around the corner now so save the date! On Saturday 2nd April 2016, RGBI will hold its annual conference with lots of networking opportunities, a huge range of inspirational speakers, development workshops and forums to discuss your favourite topics. Registration cost is only £40 which entitles you to attend the daily programme from Friday 1st April until Sunday 3rd April 2016.

So what else? Last year, RGBI passed a re-structuring of the Executive. Subsequently, this year the team are working to establish a strong Multi District Information Organisation which caters for Rotaractors needs across the country. We are currently organising regional training workshop weekends around the country to provide Rotaractors with the resources and training they need to carry out their roles effectively. Our goals for this year and onwards are: * To provide support, resources and regional training opportunities to all Rotaractors. * To promote and strengthen the relationship between Rotaract Clubs. * To strengthen existing Rotaract clubs and provide support to growing new clubs. * To hold a national conference joint with RIBI. * To build an accurate database of contact details for Rotaract in GB&I and to make this available to Rotaract Clubs. * To create and implement a 3 year strategic plan to make Rotaract GB&I a secure and fully functioning MDIO. On behalf of all the Rotaract GB&I team, I would like to wish you all a very happy and successful new year. Lou Moss Rotaract GB & I Chair 2015-16 Keep checking the website for more updates! www.rotaract.org.uk. Don’t forget to sign up for conference here: www.rotarygbi.org/what-we-do/conference/registration/ 34

RGBI continues to grow together Rotaract in Great Britain and Ireland is in an exciting period in its history. Stronger bonds are being formed across existing clubs and new clubs are springing to life. I’m proud to say that we are growing in size and interest and here are a couple of examples of this happening. In the South of Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I), the Rotaract Club of Kings College London was recently chartered and the Rotaract Club in Wandsworth continues its journey towards a full chartered status. In the middle of GB&I, great relationships are being developed as Rotaract Manchester International hosted their neighbours Rotaract Club of Tyneside over for a weekend break. Increasing collaboration and true partnerships are being deepened between Rotary and Rotaract clubs. Rotarians are now regular attendees at Rotaract club meetings sharing their experiences with Rotaractors. On the other hand, Rotaractors also are attending Rotary meetings to share new ideas and thinking on how to grow membership in Rotary. Examples of Joint Rotary-Rotaract meetings are commonplace like Rotaract Club

of Westminster’s two joint meetings with Rotary Clubs of Westminster East and Paddington. As we enter this New Year 2016, we must continue to ask of ourselves, our families, friends, fellow Rotaractors and Rotarians, ‘How will I be a gift to my community and to the world? Rotaract clubs are also attracting exciting and inspiring speakers to meetings and events like Rotaract Club of Birmingham who recently hosted Saranjit Birdi and Bradley Drew. RGBI Rotaractors are also taking part in global appeals. Rotaract Club of Oxford members donated their unused shoes for the Samaritans Purse annual Operation Christmas Child project. GB & I Rotaractors have also continued to be leaders and engage with other Rotaractors across Europe in projects that truly make an impact in society. Twin club relationships are blossoming and global projects like Rotaractors United for Nepal is still going

International night

Rotaract Manchester International

What makes Rotaract Manchester International unique is the fact that we have members coming from more than 15 different countries. As a club meeting at the heart of one of the biggest Universities in the UK, we are proud to be truly international by attracting students and young professionals from various backgrounds and nationalities. The diversity of our members gives us the opportunities to explore numerous cultures and to promote peace and international understanding through our projects. One of our most successful projects which has been running for 4 years is the annual International night. This year it took place on 25/11/2015 and more than 40 Rotarians, Rotaractors and friends attended the event. In order to present the culture of their homelands, the 35club

strong. Christmas was also eventful and full of gift wrapping with the Rotaract Club of Westminster sending their gifts to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s charity and the Rotaract Club of Manchester International sending theirs to the homeless. The RGBI Executive led by Lou Moss of the Rotaract Club of Littlehampton under way with organising what promises to be an entertaining, engaging celebration of RGBI Rotaractors contribution to their communities during the RGBI Conference planned to be held on the 1-3rd April 2016, an event not to be missed and European Rotaractors and Rotarians are very welcome to attend. As we enter this New Year 2016, we must continue to ask of ourselves, our families, friends, fellow Rotaractors and Rotarians, ‘How will I be a gift to my community and to the world?’ And always remember that the entire Rotary family is behind you, ready to help take action on your answer. Yours in Rotaract, Chike Eduputa

members cooked traditional dishes representing their culture and all guests had the opportunity to experience the cuisine of countries like Japan, Fiji, India, Canada, Romania and many others. In addition, there were presentations giving interesting facts about Spain and Chile. The evening also included a lot of entertainment such as a quiz and a raffle which helped Rotarains and Rotaractors to get to know each other better but also to learn some interesting facts about the different countries. Music and folklore were also incorporated into the event and the evening ended with a traditional Bulgarian dance which all the guests had the chance to learn. The International night has been a great success every year as it is very entertaining and at the same time educational. It helps us to build friendships and to promote international understanding but it is also a great fundraiser. Every year we raise more than £500 which are used to support different local charities and international projects such as End Polio.

SAN MARINO Every year Rotaract Club Faenza, even if it composed by just fifteen members, all different from each other and with different talents, finds many services to do during the whole year and allow Faenza’s citizens to be aware of them through local newspapers, news web sites and many social networks.

The response of schools’ principals has been great, but what has motivated us to continue this service has been the involvement and commitment expressed by students during the meetings, that is actually growing every year.

The ironic, cool but at the same time careful approach provided by our friend Giorgio has been During the actual digital era we noticed that the shown to be one of the key factors for the success process of digitalization is not helping the pro- of this project, that has given us the possibility to cess of making other people know what we are keep in contact with youngsters interested to this doing… If possible, it is making it more difficult theme… and even to the Rotaract world! than expected. “Our acts follow us” is the payoff of the project. Therefore, in 2012 we decided to create the “Digi- These words can frighten when viewed as a wartal Reputation” service, together with Giorgio Min- ning, but they also encouraged us to make younguzzi, a freelance marketing with a strong passion gsters aware of both pros and cons of the digital in the digital world. world, to better know how to deal with it and how To keep in touch with the new digital generation to do it better in the future. it is important to know how the digital world is structured and how we can move inside the inter- Hoping to let you think about this important and net and social networks in a safe and responsible actual issue, we remind you to remember that all way. information we leave on web is permanent “folThis is why we decided to teach youngsters, and lows” us forever, building a memorable reputation in particular students, the right behaviour to take of us. using internet and social networks; moreover, we have been able to give some useful tips about the Therefore, we must know how to deal with internet influence to the job world and to go in technological innovations to improve it further depth regarding the issues of cyber security and and how to fill the internet with memories and cyberbullying without regrets. 36

//Save the date: PRE EUCO San Marino April 18th - 20th, 2016

FRANCE Rotaract France united to end Polio in the world ! On the 24th November more than 200 clubs in France and in other countries formed an alliance in view to help to eradicate Polio. How? Well the concept was very easy! Each Rotaract club participant organized a walk in their city and each person who participated to the walk gave 1€ for Polio+. Some clubs organized also some buffet or animations in view to make the walks more attractive and increase the donations of the participants! Thanks to all those person who organize the walks, walked, or made a donation the French Rotaract will help to vaccinate more than 40 000 children against Polio! We still waiting the exact figure but we are sure that all those club who organize the walks made possible to collect more than 15 000€. We thank you every club that made this possible and we are very proud of what we all accomplish together: In France at least two clubs in our 18 districts organized a walk, but other countries made this challenge with us: Italy, Portugal, Mexico, India, Bangladesh, Canada, Brazil, Sweden, New Zealand, Mali and China.

SHOULD THE ROTARACT AGE END AT 25?

roposals which will be discussed at Rotary’s Council on Legislation that could affect Rotaract. The hierarchy in Rotary is very clear.

First, there are the clubs which have great possibilities of setting their priorities within the standard framework. Then, there are districts which regroup regions in order to make it easier for clubs to communicate and to take advantage of certain aspects where economies of scale and central planning are advantageous. When decisions have to be taken on a global level, much can be done by the President together with the Board of Directors – advised among others by the Rotaract and Interact Committee. Every three years, however, there is a Council on Legislation (CoL). This is the legislative body of Rotary International where the constitution and the bylaws can be changed and recommendations can be made to the Board of Directors. During the CoL, every district has one vote and therefore more than 500 people will be able to vote on the different propositions. Altogether, there are 181 proposed legislations on which to decide. Out of those 181, seven affect Rotaract very directly.

wo of those (#16-13 and #16-14) are rather focusing on the right wording: they want to take up the wording “New Generation” instead of “Youth” when relating to us and they want to include the new generations as one object of Rotary since it is named an avenue of service.

wo others (#16-36 and #16-40) are relating to the possibilities of Rotaractors becoming members in Rotary Clubs. Their scope and the impact of the two motions being very differently, what counts for us is that both would make it easier for Rotaractors to join Rotary and they would allow for a dual membership of people being both 40

in Rotaract and Rotary. This could certainly have a huge positive effect for membership development in Europe.

he following two (#16-133 and #16-134) may seem a little surprising. They both discuss the age range of Rotaract. The first one would like to have it lowered to span from 18-25, while the second one would like to see it raised to reach from 18-35. These motions – if accepted – would not change the policy directly, but they would constitute recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Directors could then discuss them freely.

he last one (#16-135) asks for creating a defined rule for Rotaract e-clubs. In Rotary, a club has to choose to be either a traditional or an e-Club. In Rotaract, we don’t this separation. Each club can define if the meeting is to be held online, offline or even more different. From what I heard, the decision making process in the CoL is very unpredictable. There are so many people from very different countries, cultures, continents or districts coming together and dynamics can change fast. If you’d like to have more information, you can contact your DRR, your DG or the representative of your district to the CoL. It is certainly worthwhile getting in touch with those people who decide on the future of our organization. The Rotaractors along the US West-Coast (Big West MDIO) have set up a document with their opinions and thoughts to the proposals to share with the voting delegates. Think about it! Take our stand! Let’s show that we’re interested in how Rotary will shape and define Rotaract and let’s participate in moving Rotary forward! Florian Wackermann Co-Chair of Rotaract and Interact Committee of Rotary International 2015-16

YOU ARE IMPORTANT! Together we’re making the difference

Again and again, Rotaractors are standing up in this world for those who are less fortunate. This is you. This is us. This is so important! Looking at the different projects we’re doing in our clubs, across the districts, around Europe, it is so impressive. We can actually make a difference for so many people. In order to keep changing the world, we need people who are willing to be active. We need to be ready to stand up and tackle the challenges of today. It is always easy to speak of the successes and the wonderful projects which Rotaractors are doing – and then we have to realize that they are only possible, thanks to the many individuals who are willing to do more than the minimum. It is your effort that makes the sum of all efforts so big. When you think that this world makes us powerless and leaves us to the mercy of a few, think again! It’s Rotaractors who help young people. It’s Rotaractors who take care of less privileged people. It’s Rotaractors who spend time with old people. It’s Rotaractors who help locally. It’s Rotaractors who support others around the globe. It’s Rotaractors who make the world tangibly better. It’s you who’s making this possible! This year’s president of Rotary International, K.R. Ravi Ravindran asks us to be a gift to the world. He wants us to do good. He urges us to make a positive difference. This is not always easy. This is sorewarding. It’s an effort where we learn a lot and receive smiles and “thank you”s which will fill our heart for a long time. Join us, keep up your energy, keep reaching out for others. You are truly important – to together change the world!

ROTARY AND ALUMNI A LOVE STORY

Relationships with our alumni begin long before their program has come to an end Our 2-day meeting was committed to strategizing how we can best engage our alumni and retain them in the The quality of our Alumni depends on the quality of the family of Rotary. Now, this is a huge question and as experience. Keep investing in your Rotary experience we quickly found out, there is no one easy answer. and you’re simultaneously investing in the experiences of others. An interaction with you just may well be So, we got to work. the reason someone decides to join your club’s next meeting or even re-connect with Rotary. During the discussions, I kept hearing the phrase, “... what is the return if we do this?” Engaging our alumni starts with giving those already already in the family of Rotary an unforgettable sui“What is the return if we spend our time going throu- tcase of Rotary moments that they can take on their gh a database of tens of thousands of alumni sin- future travels. ce the first scholarship in almost 5 decades ago?” On behalf of the committee for alumni relations, I’d like to say thank you! Thank you “What is the return if we invest in an for investing your time and your hearts in event to celebrate the foundation’s serving above self. centenary at the 2017 Atlanta convention and invite ALL alumni?” Here’s to working together to build a family home where the door is always open. “What is the return if we support the already existing alumni associations in running their local chapters better?”

This is your time to build your memories and a Rotary you want to be apart of!

Where the real question is, “what is the return if we don’t?” Rotary has been scaling the unscalable for over 100 years - human empathy, people caring. We all have our Rotary moment, a moment where one person makes a significant impact on your life and fundamentally changes the way you engage with Rotary. However, no one knows when or how this will happen. This is what makes Rotary so special. Each interaction has the potential to change your life. The likelihood that it happens at an occasion like a REM or an EuCo is even higher!

Enjoy your REM in St. Petersberg and see you in Milano! Brittany Arthur RAC Berlin, Vice-President Alumni Relations Committee 2015-2018 Brittany.Arthur@rotaract.de alumni@rotary.org

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a picture of the Joint Committees on Alumni Relations and New Generations meeting in November in Chicago.

Every year, Rotaract clubs around the world develop innovative solutions to community problems. They change lives. Tell us about your club or district’s best local or international service project from the past year. Rotary International will share your success with the world and inspire others to take action. Pick one project that highlights your club’s commitment, creativity, and collaboration. Choose an activity that shows high-impact, sustainable service that aligns with at least one of Rotary’s areas of focus. Collect photos, social media posts, local media coverage, or videos of your members in action that demonstrate how your club creates positive change. Complete the nomination form by 1 February. Get inspired by last year’s winners* and submit your nomination today!

* on page 46, 2014/15 oustanding project winner for Europe 44

Have you submitted your nomination from for the 2015-16 Rotaract Outstanding Project Awards yet?

FROM ZERO TO HERO: How to make an Outstanding Award-winning project from scratch. In order to run for DRR, I really felt that I needed something to believe in, and that would help me push through the difficulties; thus, I began working on a project idea that I really felt was worth getting behind, as it is our Service projects that really embody the magic of Rotaract and make it all worthwhile. There’s no trivial amount of “Rotarian theory” behind all of this and, hopefully, the unraveling of the inner workings of this project might give you some insight on project creation in general. First off, you need a powerful idea. Something that you feel strongly about and that can tug at the heartstrings of even the most obtuse cynics among your members; something that presents a real issue that needs addressing; something that others haven’t been able to tackle thoroughly. Having been a victim of bullying myself, and having noticed that there is no true school system for victims to fall back on, I felt this was the way to go....but where to? An idea -in order to become a project- requires direction, method, malleability, transparency, and a final polish. Let us address the method first. The Code of Policies gives us quite a lot of direction regarding the Rotarian way of developing projects, through the Areas of Focus and the Avenues of Service. A valid project should be able to be applied through all Avenues of Service, and should fit in at least one Focus Area. It should also be developed in such a way that allows it to be self-sustaining throughout the years, without prevaricating on our successors and their choices. Then, we need to give it a direction: what do we want to accomplish? After having researched copiously on the matter, I realized that the issue was not the act of bullying in and 46

of itself, but rather the perception of this social conflict of all those involved. Therefore, it became an automatic nextstep to think “what if we taught our younger generations to handle social conflicts ethically?” bullying being, after all, the first instance of social conflict that we experience first-hand. Furthermore, I came to realize that the core of the problem was not the aggressor but the bystanders who would witness in silence and do nothing, furthering the power that bullies exerted on their victims. This became the inspiration for the title of the project: You are Not Alone. It is also how the project came to be developed under the “Peace Promotion and Conflict Prevention” Area of Focus and, partially, under the “Education” Area as well. When handling something as delicate as education, however, it is necessary to ally yourself with the pertinent professionals. We decided to undertake a protocol of reciprocal understanding with two “giants” in the country: the main non-profit Organisation for child abuse and household abuse, and none-other than the Ministry of Education itself. Alongside the right professionals we created the material which we then took ourselves to the schools in our territory, as volunteers. The material created was essentially a multimedia kit for age-appropriate psychological workshops, which were masked as group games, whose objective was to increase reciprocal empathy, lessen the perceived difference among peers, fight xenophobia, counter discrimination of all sorts, and promote win-win instances of conflict resolution through solidarity. Presenting the project as a low-cost, volunteer-based Service, we managed to incorporate all Avenues of Service depending on how the Club chose to undertake it. (Pro-tip: undertaking volunteer work together has proven to be one of the best Club Service tools for strengthening the bonds

between members). I also felt that the project needed to be shared, thus, when our neighboring twin District (2072) decided to get on board I was delighted. Finally, the polishing touch: the graphics, a Short-film based on the project (eventually shown on national television), website, Facebook page-the works! A professional interface is necessary when working alongside institutions, and a guerrilla-marketing approach online allows for rapid growth and expansion (the project is now being transated in other languages for Rotaracts around the world). You Are Not Alone is currently ongoing, as the material was made so it could be either kept by the Rotaract Club (to repeat the project in subsequent years) or donated to the schools, so they may do it themselves, in case the Club wished to move on to different projects. The results that have come in from the teachers are astoundingly positive, they have given us feedback in the months following the workshops commenting on the noticeably more positive social environment in their classes, the increase in self esteem, and the improved overall attitude. Receiving the R.I. Outstanding Service Project Award for Europe, Central Asia and Middle East was simply the cherry on top of a Service well-delivered, which is its own award. Knowing that we have made a difference, that we have positively influenced young adults and started a virtuous cycle of solidarity is the greatest achievement that any Rotaractor could ask for. 47

Venice Marathon 2015 Sunday October 25th, 2015 the alarm rang at 05.30 a.m., for the runners of Venice Marathon. When finally the sport bib with the rotary wheel on, the jacket and the racing shoes are worn and all things are set, everyone met at the start, for this extraordinary run. Whether they joined the longer 42 km run, or the non competitive 10 km one, every runners represented - one step after the other - thirty years of End Polio Now, the Rotary international service that today is really close to eradicate polio from the world. They ran from the countryside until the city center through the so-called Ponte della libertà (Freedom bridge, that connects Venice to the rest of Italy) with their heart filled with Rotary values and the support of friends and other athletes Every step they took towards the goal, is a step to end polio now. In a sunny Sunday, between the small “calli” and canals of a rather unique city in the world, Venice, several groups of Rotarians and Rotaractors, found themselves all together united in sport by the aim to serve and build a better world.

During the previous weeks, through an italian crowdfunding system called “Rete del dono” each and every runner could raise awareness and involve their own network. A real solidariety challenge, with the aim to collect funds to eradicate polio. Starting with a goal of 500 euro per runner, all together they finally raised € 31,716. A success that the clubs of the district 2060 will for surecontinue next year, in order to keep strenghetning a tradition of service, sport and collaboration. Giuliano Bordigato, past DRR, district 2060, translated by editor

north

ITALY roundtrip

The Italian Rotaract Districts 2031, 2050 and 2060 are proud to announce a super exciting Rotaract cruising around Northern Italy from April 24 to May 1 for 6 outstanding Rotaractors (3 girls and 3 boys) coming from all over the world!

April 26 @ Novara - District 2031 April 27 @ Pavia - District 2050 April 28 @ Piacenza - District 2050 April 29 @ Brescia - District 2050 April 30 @ Verona - District 2060 May 1 @ Padova - District 2060 May 2 @ Venezia - District 2060

Our aim is to continue our great tradition of Italian Rotaract Trips in a better international cooperation and integration, solid bases of peace and Rotarian values. Who can apply? Each rotaractor (18-30 years old) willing to spend 10 amazing days with North Italian Rotaractors! Rotaractors from all over the world will have 10 days to discover 9 ciFee: 150 euros fee per participant, a ties, 4 Regions, 3 Rotaract Districts sharing a unique experience with symbolic amount of money that will allow to organize ten unforgettable hundreds of Italian Rotaractors! days of tours, parties, events, dinners, and many other fabulous experiences In every city, members from local that they will never forget! Rotaract Clubs will be guides and hosts. Clubs will provide for the stay expenTrippers will visit the cities throuses, excluding the airplane ticket gh their inhabitants' eyes, they from/to Italy. will experience different Rotaract activities, including parties and Application opening: 7 January fundraising, while tasting the wor2016. ldwide famous Italian food and wine! Application deadline: 1 February 2016. The schedule will be very intense, so the trippers must be Announcement of selected trippers: 21 February 2016. prepared to little sleep and big fun! More info: www.facebook.com/northitalyroundtrip2015

April 24 @ Torino - District 2031 April 25 @ Biella - District 2031

ROTARACT DISTRICT 2071 GOES TO LONDON & PLANS A SERVICE WITH THE ROYAL BALLET

The trip took place from December 4th to 7th, 2015

ONDON - «When we first decided to go to London I couldn’t imagine that a Rotaract district trip could have ended with such a big project». Matteo Grassi, Drr of District 2071 (Tuscany - Italy), speaks about the trip that every year the International commission organizes for members and friends, held this year in London from December 4th to 7th, 2015. POLL It started with a service project shared with Rotaractors of another district and it ended up with a bigger project to take place in July 2016. Matteo explains that it was a poll to make the choice of the destination. «During the second district conference in Prato, last 26th September, the board presented the options: London and Prague. Members voted via an online poll and London was chosen for a couple of votes. There started the idea for a first project which we completed thanks to the members of Rotaract Westminster». 50

WESTMINSTER The first attempt of the trip in the idea of the organizers was meeting Rotaractors of another country. Rotaract Westminster was the choice as three members from District 2071 recently moved to London and were already attending the meetings in Westminster. Then the fundraising. «We were told from our members in London that Westminster promoted a service called Rotaract United for Nepal», says Luca Piras, president of the 2071’s International commission. «We believed immediately in the importance of this service so we decided to help. We thank Zsófi and Marion, the creators of this project». The following step was to organize a special lottery to raise money for the project, which took place in the third district conference in Florence, on 7th November. Raffle prizes were previously collected from Rotarian and Rotaractor donors. It earned 600 euros. «A friend from Rotaract Pontedera printed a big cheque using his own facilities», explains Luca, «and with the cheque rolled up under our sleeves we took the flight to Heathrow». The British Museum, The National Gallery as well as London’s Oxford Street, the Shard and the Harrods department store, the team visited several touristic spots in London. It all came with the program of Rotaract Westminster, which included a Winter Social at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park on the 5th December.

This was followed by a dinner at The Folly Bar, near the London Bridge. Gioia of Rotaract Firenze Bisenzio talks about Saturday night: «There was more than twenty of us, with a mix of Italians and locals. We were given the possibility to meet new people and share ideas. Rotaract has different shades in every country, it’s only when traveling can you really appreciate it». At the end of the dinner, the Rotaractors from district 2071 gave the cheque to Chike, president of Rotaract club Westminster, in a restaurant room enlightened by camera flashes. «While taking pictures with the cheque», tells Francesco of Rotaract Firenze, «a person from another table congratulated us and we also received a prolonged applause from the people sitting nearby us. It was a good way indeed to show to the people what Rotaract is». ROYAL BALLET The trip was not over. An old friend of Elena Bianchini of Rotaract Valdarno Fiorentino joined the group, Valentino Zucchetti, first soloist of the Royal Ballet, the Company based at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden. It followed a private backstage visit of the Opera House, with a walk on the terrace giving views of Covent Garden. They also received an invitation for the following night to see The Nutcracker performed by Valentino. From the backstage to the stalls. Between the curiosity of Valentino for Rotaract and the impetus of the group, emerged the new challenge for district 2071: host the Royal Ballet in Florence and organise a performance in the new Teatro dell’Opera of 51

Florence. The chosen period for this is end of July 2016 with rumors of world ballet star Sergei Polunin performing at the event. District 2071 has a lot of work to do as the event is yet to be organised.

ITALY

FLORENCE The trip didn’t end there for Dalia and Mohamed, originally from Lebanon and Egypt, both living in London and attending Rotaract Westminster meetings. They planned to spend their Christmas holidays in Florence and, after meeting the Rotaractors from district 2071, they met for an Aperitivo in Piazza Strozzi, central Florence. Elena was there with other members of the Florentine clubs that couldn’t go to London: «Creating networks, build up a new open minded society,» she says «this is what we need. And we make it while having fun, whilst tasting a glass of good wine. Or Coca Cola, if your friends are Muslims». Rotaract never pauses. What’s next? Rem Saint Petersburg, the second European meeting of the year, will be coming up. On 8th January, Matteo and Chike will meet again. They will have the opportunity to speak about their common project for Nepal and, maybe, to think about a new trip in July, of Londoners in Tuscany. Niccolò di Pietro District 2071 secretary

SPAIN I

n the past few days, I have been visiting our Rotary Clubs in order to present them our project “comida en acción”. My colleague Esther and me are in charge. It was very pleasant to realize that our Rotary Clubs show their interest in collaborating with us. So far, the project consisted in obtaining sandwiches and hot meals for people in need.

Comida in action

Our Rotary Clubs support us in many ways and we can learn and grow from their wealth of experitise. In my opinion, every Rotaract Club should get together with their Rotary Clubs more often and enjoy the invaluable experience of exchanging views and swap knowHhow.

Our goal is to develop it further, for instance by organizing warm clothes for the cold days coming ahead.

“Our projects are our BEST marketing”

On Novemer 21st, It took place the Rotaract Distrital Conference, hosted in Madrid by the Madrid Joven club. Members of clubs from Avilés, Más Palomas, Cáceres and Madrid attended the event (phisically or via Conference call), led by the Governor and the RDR representant. The meeting was a interesting and practical linking point of both Rotarct and Rotary expectations, activities and needs but, also, a formal presentation of Rotex, that claims to be a stronger group, with a bigger presence and activation. The main concern of the meeting was related to the number of memberships and the need to

La Maratò de TV3

La Marató de TV3 is an annual telethon broadcast by Televisió de Catalunya and the Fundació La Marató de TV3 to raise funds for scientific research into disease which are currently incurable. Since 1992, “La Marató de TV3” has raised 52

create new clubs in key youth placements as the univesities. “Our projects are our best marketing” declared the elected RDR for the next year when the discussion was about how to attract young people. Also, District Project was chosen by the vote of each club. “A Christmas without hungry on the streets” has been the chosen and consist on collecting food, hot beverages and warm clothes and mats from brands, supermarkets or individual donations to deliver them to people who sleep in the streets. This will take place between 20-24 of December.

over 120 million euros, promoting 636 projects biomedical research and sensitizes million people on the problems of many diseases. In District 2202, the clubs, participate with fundraising activities and volunteering answering the phone the same day of the telethon. For a more information: http://www.tv3.cat/ marato/en/

The KILO PROJECT is a solitarian activity suppor- KILO PROJECT and invited them to cooperate if ted by ROTARY INTERNATIONAL and its memthey felt like it. bers. They also provided flyers with short lists of information which could be of use when selecting The main objective is collecting personal pro- products. These lists contained most of the products and food. Young people and future mem- ducts that Rotary thought could be more necesKILO PROJECT in ACTION! bers of the Club planned different meeting points sary to people who were living in the street or who cannot afford certain hygiene products; bato start with this project. Each group had been waiting at the front door of sic products like: shave blades, compresses, gel supermarkets which were in collaboration with and shampoo, plastic cups, deodorant, cleaning product, and so on. this humanitarian cause. These volunteers approached everyone to provide information about the

Por Sandro Maciá / Trad. Mar García

‘Tardeos’ from Rotaract Club Orihuela.

In Rotaract Orihuela, looking for new strategies that allow citizens’ participation in each social exercise, “Charity Tardeos” were born. The first edition took place on April, 18th at ‘Café L’Encantá’, from 12:00AM, with local influential DJs and Lady Mug’s art expo, a young designer, people could taste a delicious Iberian Ham as well as a selection of wines and gins from the local company ‘Mateo Wines’; all of that, in an event that allowed us to reach the

the film festival.

In representation of Rotarac Murcia, We like to tell our experience with the film festival. The film festival is three days in which the tickets are cheaper and choose a day to take children between 3 and 6 years old Hospice Murcia to see an animated film. We love to see your face of happiness and con-

goal proposed: being able to buy electronic material that ‘Dinoco’ needed to develop their activities as an association specialised in early attention to kids who show a disorder in their develo KILO PROJECT in ACTION! pment. The second edition, October 3rd, took place in ‘Restaurante El Tranvía’. It was also a positive event that allowed us to collaborate with associations in charge of helping the immigrants who see themselves forced to leave their countries for some reasons.

tentment and that gives us a lot of enthusiasm for this project, as these children have never had the opportunity to enjoy this day full of surprises. We are happy to do this work, and to get a smile from these kids.

SWITZE

ERLAND

The teams are set, one person from each team, stance for its team spirit, for the free exchange of blindfolded, is walking to reach his teammates ideas, for its fun part and for the communication guided by their voices screaming at his name… in between the members. What am I talking about? Well, these are for sure the goals brought together The Swiss National Fun Event of course! at the end of our National Fun-Event. This is just one of the many games played by 40 If the minigolf was a warm up to get to know the Swiss Rotaractors that gathered together on Octo- others, the game challenges and quizzes bonded ber the 3rd 2015. together Rotaractors from different Clubs in order The day, filled of activities, fun, friendships and to make them grow acquainted. networking, scrupulous organized by Rotaract The concluding dinner was for sure not an ordinary Club Mitteland has been without one and the way it was performed ala big opany doubt a great success for lowed us all to interact more. Everyportunity for everybody who took part of it. body knows that cheese fondue is a all the Rotaract Clubs Swiss typical dish right? Well imagine of Switzerland to strenThe location that welcomed all the now two huge pots with hot melted Rotaractors coming from different gthen their relationships, build cheese, rotaractors wearing colorful parts of the county was a forest new ones, present themsel- aprons with pockets where to place ves personally and learn lodge in the small Windisch in bread chunks and very long forks… from eachothers canton Aargau. here you go, this was our unconvenThe program was divided into tional fondue dinner served in a very four main parts: minigolf, aperitif, original way. game challenges and cheesy dinner. This day was overall a big opportunity for all the Sharing, laughing, playing, team and friendship Rotaract Clubs of Switzerland to strengthen their building, this is how the Swiss National Fun Event relationships, build new ones, present themselves can be defined. Looking forward to the next one! personally and learn from eachothers. Learning and celebrating, two of the three main principles of this international family called Rota- Veronica Vivarelli ract, came together during this event. Rotaract Club Zürich Rotaract is known for many different values, for in55

TURKEY As being Rotaract Club Güzelyalı /District 2440, we decided to realize a project for abandoned, homeless and street children. Children is our Future. With this aim, we organized a ‘new year party’ for street children. First we learned which presents can make them happy. We prepared them cakes and cookies. Then we bought toys, cars, Barbie dolls for them. One of our club member became Mrs. Santa Claus. Mrs.Santa Claus gave their presents to them. It was amazing to see the happiness in the eyes of the children. We danced together, we played games, We sang songs, we ate the delicious cakes and cookies. Abandoned children association also contributed to our project. We celebrated new year with happiness and we left them with the best wishes. It is sure we will visit them again.

Children is our Future. With this aim, as being Rotaract Club Güzelyalı/District 2440, we made workshops and trainings to raise the quality of education for children. We wanted to provide their personal development. Air ambition is to contribute ‘Rotaract Neighbourhood’ district project. First of all, we specified a poor location in Izmir. Then, we brought a service to that area in 2 steps. We presented them a ‘hygiene set’. We realized workshop about hygiene and water sanitation and water management. We showed them how they should use the hygiene set when they are washing their hands. Our ambition of this project; is to focus on six areas of Rotary ‘disease prevention and treatment’ and ‘water and sanitation’. We understood that we explained them so good and we managed to affect them. it will be a sustainable project and continue in the future for long periods.

PROJECT OF FEEL THE HISTORY Project of Feel The Hıstory part 1 was carried out in 10.18.2015 of by Rotaract Club of Izmir. The project was organized with the hearing disabilities to trip Ephesus Ancient City. Sign Language Interpreter and Trainers Association and our trip was organized in partnership Selçuk Municipality, our guide Aylin Szilagyi and sign language instructors Ayse Devrim Gürbulak with group of 25 people (hearing disabilities), they will never forget the memorable day. The first time they came to Ephesus Ancient City, transport of disabled participants were provided with service. 57

Project of Feel The Hıstory has 3 part. In part 2, for many years our twin club agreement and our good relationship continued with Rotaract Club of Monfalcone-Grado, will show Aquileia or Cividale ancient city their disabled groups. Then, by combining the captured video will be brought to a common form of video clips, and will be published in all the social media accounts. In part 3, we will gift a book that describes Ephesus Ancient City with prepared in braille alphabet and to share this moment with disabled citizens in TURGOK (Turkey Blind Library).

Stained glass - workshop

ornova Rotaract Club organised a workshop about stained glass art with Ege Vitray on 30th December,2015. The artists of Ege Vitray kept members of Konak,Izmir,Mavisehir and Bornova Rotaract Club informed about stained glass art and various kind of special techniques onto glass . The artists showed and helped

to Participants to be able to make different figures as angel,tree with colorful glasses . Bornova Rotaract Club showed also that they pay attention to stained glass art as much as "white smithing"which is a job about to be forgotten ,visited by club members on November.

world AIDS Day Bornova Rotaract Club initiated an awareness project in aim of flying prejudices away on December 1, World AIDS Day in participation with 30 clubs from Turkey and 16 clubs from all over the world. All participated clubs also showed that blowing prejudices is as

easy as blowing red ballons in sky with Freddie Mercury songs behind. Photos and videos taken during the activity took place in social media with hashtag #繹nyarg覺n覺u癟ur.

Traffic Bornova Rotaract Club members created a traffic training zone, 70 square meters, in Merkez Primary School,Bornova,Izmir. As a first step, 4th year students were keep informed basic rules and daily life requirements of traffic in collaboration with OPET Traffic Detectives . Traffic identifaction cards and special traning materials were prepared and dedicated on behalf of each student before education. Various traffics posters were also hanged in classes and hallway. Traffic education would be periodically continued until all students are trained.

Traditional Turkish Night

raditional Turkish Night event organised every year by Bornova Rotaract Club was realised 19th times in Ada Restaurant on 19th December,2015. Bornova Rotary Club President and his wife,U.R.2440 District President Yagmur Lena and District Responsibles Mehmet Simsek,Akif Ă&#x2013;zkan,2015-2016 ERIC Representative Can Sezici and members of Izmir,Dokuz Eylul,Karsiyaka,Cigli,Guzelbahce,Manisa,Urla,Magnesia,Goztepe and Konak Rotaract Club participated in the event. The night was full of delightful moments this year as much as every year . Traditional Ottoman candy/drink "serbet" were served to guests and belly dancer show also impressed the guests as well. During raffle organisation,various special and surprise gifts were presented to guests . Dear President Merve Nejva Inceler declared that the fund of this raffle and Turkish night organisation would contribute to LOSEV. She also indicated that the participation was very much and appreciated everyone joined the night on behalf of Bornova Rotaract Club.

TURKEY

//Save the date: UPCOMING EVENTS

the next big event after REM St. Petersburg! April 20th - 24th 2016

www.euco2016.it

Hello dear fellows! We are really pleased and excited to have the chance to host EuCo 2016 in Milan! Rotaractors from the whole Europe, Mediterranean area and all of the world will to come and join us in our home to enjoy together the marvelous spirit of our association. In Milan we have 21 active Clubs and 400+ members that are really looking for you to come. The city offers a variety of attractions for both leisure and business purpose but nevertheless the Rotaract movement is historically very active. Together we will have a lot of fun by visiting the city of fashion, Expo 2015, Duomo (7th world most relevant hot spot for Tripadvisor) and we will enjoy all the entertainments, beauties and nightlife 60the city can offer.

All of these activities by collaborating in reaching new heights for our association in Europe, but above all by consolidating our fellowship and friendships. So we can really say it: in 2016, Milan is the place to be for a Rotaractor! In our website (www.euco2016.com) you are going to find numerous information about Euco, Milan, and all the opportunities we are going to propose you in order to have fun. In fact we have a single, strong purpose: we want you to always remember Euco Milan 2016 as one of the best experience of your lifes! So come in and join us! Second wave of registration is already open (http://www.euco2016.it/shop)... We are looking forward to host you in our beautiful city!

//Save the date: UPCOMING EVENTS All these years the Rotaract family of Greece dreamed of bringing the international spirit and idea of E.R.I.C. in the Greek Rotaractâ&#x20AC;Ś.and now this becomes reality. Speaking on behalf of all Greek Rotaractors we are more than exited of hosting R.E.M. in Athens for the first time ever. Greece is in an unfortunate bad situation right now, and exactly for this reason it is a great challenge for us to ssuccessfully organise and host the meeting. All the clubs of 2470 District are working hard in this direction and face challenges that make us stronger and lead us to new paths. Throughout this process we have the opportunity to get to know ourselves better and unite our clubs while developing real friendship and new skills. REM ATHENS will be definitely one of the warmest places that you will experience in your life, not for the weather

October 6th - 8th 2016 61

conditions but for the people that already await all of you here. We face the meeting as the opportunity to bring for some days all of our Rotaract family in Athens, to make you really feel the traditional Greek hospitality but also to make you feel that Athens will be the place that you are always more than welcome. Thank you all again, for your trust and for giving us the opportunity to live this amazing experience of organising a REM, We are waiting all of you in Athens, Antonios Oikonomidis Country Representative Greece 2015/16

verona2016.rotaract2060.it 62

//Save the date: UPCOMING EVENTS

Brazil national Conference Cornac January 20th - 24th 2016

International ski weekend Swiss Alps March 5th - 12th, 2016

Australian Rotaract games Sidney February 5th - 7th 2016

Rotaract Day Verona March 11th - 13th, 2016

Philipinas rotaract convention Bacolog February 19th - 21th 2016

German trip Germany April 25th - May 5th, 2016

Become a #journalist! Share your #experience, your #rotary moment, write your own #story and share it with #Europe! magazine@rotaracteurope.eu