Update - 14th December, 2011
On Wednesday, 7 December 2011 the Sydney City Rotaract Club launched its 2012 Calendar, showcasing the 12 winners of their ‘Hidden Treasures of Sydney’ photography competition.
The launch attracted an intimate audience of art lovers and philanthropic minded people who gathered to celebrate art, photography and people power.
The audience was addressed by Briar Ward (Youth Insearch) who shared with the captive audience her story of how the program “saved her life”. Briar’s passionate and emotive address kept things real and relative to the cause, and the purpose of the evening - photography and art for a worthy cause.
The Sydney City Rotaract Club ran this calendar project in support of local charity, Youth Insearch. Initially, they undertook a photography competition which attracted over 200 amateur and professional entries. The 12 best entries were then compiled into a 2012 calendar, which were then distributed around Sydney.
Youth Insearch is a Sydney-based charity empowering young people to take responsibility for their lives by giving them the opportunity and skills to develop their self esteem and play a positive role in society.
Calendars are available for purchase at www.sydneycityrotaract.org.au/calendar. The Sydney City Rotaract Club is undertaking this multifaceted project again in 2012, so please contact info@sydneycityrotaract.org.au to offer your support.
Update - 23rd November, 2011
It’s been a hugely successful few months for 9750, and with some great events on the horizon, we are in a strong position. Check out some of the highlights below:
Rotaract Club of the University of Sydney
On the 2nd of November, District 9750 grew to seven clubs. This brand new Rotaract Club at the University of Sydney has been long overdue. On the evening, President James Alexander outlined his goals which include growing to over 100 members, to build and sponsor and international project, and to contribute to the world we live in.
Sydney City Rotaract helping out in the Philippines
Whilst in the Philippines for APRRC, Sydney City Rotaract and their sister club – the Rotaract Club of Paradiso in Quezon City – supported a literacy program to assist children who are facing difficulty grasping literacy skills. The club donated books and other resources, as well as spending some time with the children.
Rotaract Australia Awards
At the Australian Rotaract Conference in Melbourne in September, District 9750 took home an amazing three of the seven available awards. Eastern Suburbs Rotaract was duly honoured for their Race to Book Mountain Scavenger Hunt fundraiser; the District was awarded for our social media campaign; and Rotaract Drew Sturgiss deservedly took home the Rotaractor of the Year Award.
Campbelltown Rotaract Bingo Fundraiser
Our oldest club held their third successful Bingo Fundraiser for Polio Plus. With over 50 guests in attendance and 20 rounds of Bingo, the night was a huge profit turner for the club.
Across our District, we have some fantastic projects and events planned for the next 6 months.
A Night with the Artists
Sydney City Rotaract will be showcasing the 12 finalists for their Calendar Project on 7th December. The “Hidden Treasurers of Sydney” theme will be sure to produce some great photos, which will be printed in a 2012 calendar with profits going to Youth Insearch.
Rotaract Club of Illawarra
As part of our focus on growing the District, Illawarra Rotaract will be charted on the 4th February 2012. A community based club, it will act as a great stepping stone for Rotaractors finishing university, and for young leaders in the Wollongong community.
Rotaract Games
The Rotaract Club of the University of Wollongong in partnership with Southern Highlands are hosting a nation wide Rotaract Games on the 11th and 12th of February. This is a great chance to network with Rotaractors from across Australia, whilst having some fun and competition along the way.
Polio Plus Harbour Cruise Fundraiser
On the 24th of March, Districts 9750, 9690 and 9680 are hosting a Fundraiser on Sydney Harbour. Aiming for 400 guests, we plan to raise $10,000 in support of Rotary’s Polio Plus Program.
All news is available at
www.rotaract9750.org.au
Update - 13th October, 2011
Rotaract takes to social media to create awareness
Rotaractors are becoming increasingly aware of the resources we invest into ‘membership’. Those resources include not only finances but time and skills. It appears that in this current climate, membership has become one of the biggest issues facing Rotaract and Rotary Clubs alike.
District Rotaract Representative Jake Weragoda and Immediate Past President Sally Hetherington of District 9750 decided to tackle this issue with the use of the latest buzz word in the Public Relations world – Social Media.
Together they put together an ‘Awareness Campaign’ which aimed to educate Rotaract Members’ closest friends and family. The campaign was not directly aimed at attracting new members, but rather to promote the Rotaract brand, and encourage those connected to Rotaractors to begin asking questions about our great organisation.
The campaign utilised Facebook and ran for the first week of October. All participating Rotaractors changed their profile pictures to the image reproduced below, to maximise the visual pull of the promotion. Furthermore, Rotaractors updated their ‘status’ each day, with a description of a different aspect of Rotaract. These aspects included the social side of Rotaract, local and international community service, leadership skills, professional development, and the opportunity to change the world.
Included in each status update was a link to the new Rotaract Australia MDIO website, www.rotaract.org.au. Each participating Rotaractor also posted a link to a promotional video twice during the campaign.
The campaign was piloted in July 2011 in District 9750 with some success. A survey was conducted after this pilot and some amendments made to the campaign, prior to its national launch. The campaign was launched nationally at the Australian Rotaract Conference in Melbourne on 24-25 September 2011.
The campaign ran smoothly with over 220 participants from right across Australia, and included some international involvement. In terms of results, these are hard to measure. Anecdotally, we are aware of friends and acquaintances enquiring about the life of a Rotaractor, and a further survey is to be conducted. That said, it cannot be doubted that the campaign has prompted questions from our friends and wider networks about what Rotaract does, created awareness about Rotaract, and got people thinking about how THEY can help the community.
If you would like more information, contact Jake at drr@rotaract9750.org.au
DRR Jake Weragoda
Update - 28th September, 2011
I am pleased to announce that Rotaract District 9750 took home three of the seven awards given out during the Australian Rotaract Conference. Eastern Suburbs Rotaract Club for Most Outstanding International Project for their Race to Book Mountain scavenger hunt and fundraising efforts
Rotaract District 9750 for Social Media Awareness Campaign, using Facebook to promote Rotaract.
And our District took home the big one, 'Rotaractor of the Year', Drew Sturgiss for his brilliant efforts in IT and Communications for Sydney City Rotaract Club, Rotaract District 9750 and of course Rotaract Australia.
Congratulations to all Rotaractors in OUR District. I am proud of our efforts, we are clearly the outstanding District in Australia. Please continue to aim for and reach your high goals to ensure that we not only maintain our status as the premier District, but continue to grow and excel, and support each other.
DRR Jake Weragoda