What is Rotaract
Rotaract is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30. Rotaract clubs are usually Community-based or university-based and are sponsored by a local Rotary club making them true "partners in service" and key members of the Rotary family.

Through the Rotaract program, young adults not only augment their knowledge and skills, but they also address the physical and Social needs of their communities while promoting International understanding and peace through a framework of friendship and service. 

History of Rotaract in Doncaster
Doncaster Rotaract Club was chartered in 1977 and thrived for over 17 years, until a dwindling membership caused the club to fold, around 1994. In early 1998, the club was reformed by Doncaster and St George’s Rotary, with 8 to 10 members, but after about six months, falling membership again caused the club to cease.

Re-launch in 2007
Following initial contact from Angela Hartley, Youth Activities Officer in Doncaster St Leger Rotary Club, Ken Waight worked with Angela and Chrissy Moog (also St Leger) in early 2007, to re-launch a Doncaster Rotaract Club once more.

First meeting
The first meeting of the new Club was at the Salutation Hotel, Doncaster on Monday 30 April. A total of 13 potential members attended, as well as Rob Davison, Rotaract District Chairman from Scunthorpe and 2 other members of the Scunthorpe Rotaract Club. Also in attendance were Angela, Chrissy and the President of St Leger Rotary, Roy Elms, as well as Ken.

Subsequent meetings
Following the first meeting, a ten-pin bowling Social event was arranged, with 8 attending + Scunthorpe Rotaract members. The follow up club meeting on 14 April attracted 8 of the original attendees, who became the initial members, as well as Rotaract District representatives. At this meeting, initial officers were agreed by the new Rotaract members.

A visit to the pictures to see Pirates of the Caribbean followed subsequently and the third club meeting was on 4 June, when two new members attended.

Future meetings
The club initially agreed to meet 1st and 3rd Mondays in the month, but following a planned venue change to “Tonik” in Wood Street, the next meeting has been arranged for Tuesday 19 June and then meetings are planned there for 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in each month.

Membership
The club are planning and arranging a further push for members to attend their meeting at Tonik on 3 July and there are currently around 25 potential members, including the eight who attended the first two meetings. The subject of membership is being included on the agenda of all future meetings.

Rotary involvement
It is hoped that there will be a Rotary presence (at least one Rotarian) at each future meeting, to provide support but not direct involvement (other than their “Rot Spot”) at each meeting. In turn, Rotaract hope to support Rotary in their future events and they are already planning to have a stall at the St George’s Car Show on 19 August and assist on the Christmas Float.

Conclusion
It is still early days but the signs are encouraging. Use of e-mail and a specially constructed web-site (through Rotaract District) for the new club are proving essential means of communications that were not available to previous incarnations of the Club. The officers are keen and there is much contact between them between meetings. The planned new venue will apparently appeal more to the 18-30 age group, than the Salutation, which is not generally on the town “circuit”! Support will now be welcome from a couple of other St George’s members, who will be willing to cover for Ken at some future Rotaract meeting(s).

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Subject:
Rotaract enquiry

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