CELEBRATE ROTARACT
Rotaract District 3220 held their 25thRotaract District Assembly, the highlight of the Rotaract calendar, in grandeur recently at Hotel Ramada, under the theme ‘Together Towards Tomorrow’.
The Assembly marked the beginning of the new Rotaract year and, included the installation of the District Rotaract Representative (DRR) and the Rotaract District Committee for the year 2015/16. Adding glamor to the event, the Annual awards ceremony recognized the achievements of Rotaract Clubs and individual Rotaractors for the year 2014/15.
Rotaract District 3220, which encompasses Sri Lanka and Maldives representation, enjoyed a stellar year in 2014/15 under the theme ‘Together We Rise’, achieving immense growth and delivering through projects which added value to the community as well as to the Rotaract District. The movement was led by,the Immediate Past District Rotaract Representative (IPDRR) Rtr. Abdul Wahid, Assistant District Rotaract Representatives (ADRRs) Rtr. Malik Hanan, Rtr. Thilina De Silva and Rtr. Ravindra Thammita with the support of the strong District Committee.
More than 300 young leaders from all over the country including Jaffna, Kandy and Colombo assembled under one roof, to share in the celebrations at this glamorous event.This event was the successful result of the combined efforts of the Wellawatta and Centennial United, Rotaract clubs.
The event was graced by many distinguished Rotarians and Rotaractors, including the Outgoing Rotary District Governor, Sri Lanka and Maldives Rtn. Major Donor Gowr Rajan, and the Incoming Rotary District Governor Phf. Rtn. George Jesuthasan.
Addressing the Assembly, ADRR Rtr. Malik Hanan said, “I would like to congratulated all theclub Presidents and their Board of Members for successfully completing an eventful, and overall a very fruitful and unique Rotaract year, one that was full of exciting and innovative projects. I wish to show gratitude to the Rotarians who supported Rotaract District 3220 through the tough times, as well as all the sponsors who contributed towards this past year being a success”.
The newly elected District Rotaract Representative (DRR) and Past President (PP.), Sathiyeandra Tharmakulerajasingham was installed by IPDRR Abdul Wahid followed by the installation of the new District Committee for the year 2015/2016.
Addressing the gathering, DRR Shakthi shared his thoughts saying, “While everyone focuses on change let me tell you a fact, the more the world changes, the more it remains the same and let me remind you of something more important; progression, consistency and performance. We all have a common language, Rotaract. We keep all our racial backgrounds aside, we keep all our religious backgrounds aside, and we keep all our financial backgrounds aside, and drive the movement forward. The ultimate goal of Rotaract is to build up leaders to face the future, and I promise to ensure we reach nothing less”.
Adding further to his words he stated that,“It is a perfect moment to be proud of, seeing the Sri Lankan flag fly high at the Rotary International Head office, as Rtn. K.R.Ravindran takes on the position of the new Rotary International President 2015/2016”.
The Outgoing Rotary District Governor Major Donor Rtn Gowri Rajan, emphasized that “The keen interest and yeomen services rendered by the Rotaractors at many Rotary events as a vibrant youth arm – a force to be reckoned with, and as the future custodians of Rotary”. She also thanked the Outgoing IPDRR, Abdul Wahid and his team for carrying the Rotaract Banner throughout the year despite all the challenges and obstacles they had to face during the year 2014/2015.
In his address, Rotary District Governor Phf. Rtn. George Jesuthasan went on to say, “Know how gifted you are to be here. There are so many outside who are dying to be here”. He also made an appeal to all Rotaractors to take a solemn vow at the installation, to uphold non-partiality and to create opportunity for the youth of our country, to build their capacity to become better leaders and better citizens.
Presenting awards to recognise many Rotaractors and their clubs for their efforts in bringing change in the community, was one of the events that was looked forward to. Many clubs were awarded at the Assembly, for the distinguished commitment they put in to making the Rotaract Movement meaningful. Five special awards were presented by Rotary, in recognition of service for ‘Light Up Rotaract’ , for those who have put their heart and soul for the betterment of the movement.
There were sixteen main awards presented at the ceremony. Rotaract Club of Colombo Uptown grabbed three of the Gold awards in the categories of the Most Outstanding Community Service Project of the year, Most Outstanding Public Relations Project of the year and the Most Outstanding Fund-raising Project of the year for their Cancer awareness project ‘Run For Their Lives’.
Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business School won two Gold awards for the Best News Letter and Bulletin of the year and for the Most Outstanding Club Service Project of the year for ‘Conquer Colombo’. ‘Children in Focus’ a project by the Rotaract Club of Panadura was awarded Gold, under the category of the Most Outstanding Professional Development Project of the year, while ‘iGenius’ a project by the Rotaract Club of Colombo Midtown took hold of the award for the Most Outstanding International Understanding Project of the year.
The award for the Most Outstanding Newly Chartered/Revived Rotaract Club was awarded to the Rotaract Club of Excellence College of Management. Five Rotaract Clubs of the District achieved the honourable distinction of being named the Most Outstanding Rotaract Club of the year while presidents of five Rotaract clubs were awarded Gold as the Most Outstanding presidents of the year.
Rotaract International, a partner of Rotary International is the largest youth movement with over 9,539 clubs around the world having a membership of more than 220,000 volunteer youth worldwide. Rotaract District 3220 includes Sri Lanka and Maldives, and operates along four main avenues namely, Community Service, Club Service, Professional Development and International Understanding. It consists of over 60 Rotaract Clubs with a total membership of over 2,500 youth leaders.