Rotaract welcomed to RI

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Rotaract clubs will now be considered a part of Rotary International, as opposed to a program of RI, following a vote by the Council.

On the morning of its last day, the Council approved 381-134 a measure that acknowledges Rotaract clubs in the RI Constitution and Bylaws and elevates them as an important member of the Rotary family. Rotaract clubs will continue to have their own standard constitution but will receive greater support from RI.

"We need to be an inspiration to our young partners, so they will continue doing the great service that they do," said RI President Barry Rassin, who presented the measure. "This sends a strong message that they are truly our partners in service."

Rassin stressed that many of the other aspects of Rotaract clubs will remain the same. Rotary clubs will still sponsor Rotaract clubs, and will still support them. Rotaractors will also not be considered Rotarians and will retain their own unique club experience. The measure simply broadens the definition of membership in RI to include Rotaract clubs.

The benefit to Rotary is the ability to learn more about Rotaractors and improve the support and resources it offers to help Rotaract grow. As Rotaractors become our partners in service, we will be able to better track their impact and expand our reach, supporters said.

(As an aside, individuals are technically not members of RI. Clubs are members of RI. This distinction helps explain why Rotaract clubs will now become members of RI, while the club's members remain Rotaractors and not Rotarians.)

Historical footnote: This is also the first time a sitting RI President has ever proposed an item to the Council.

President John's Weekly Update

Posted by John Armbrust on Apr 16, 2019

Rotary Club Update April 18, 2019

Our program last week was Phil Anderson, assisted by Rod Harms. Phil and Rod gave us an interesting program on a potential riverfront project. It certainly is a long-term project, but one if undertaken that can continue to improve Manhattan’s and the surrounding region’s quality of place.
Our program this week is Gwen Obermeyer, who will update us on Symphony in the Flint Hills.
Once again, I remind you that next week on April 25^th is our joint social with the Konza club, and we will also be inviting members from surrounding area clubs to join us. This will be a fun event with drawings and appetizers, as well as a great opportunity to network with the Konza club and Rotarians from other clubs in the area.
Don’t forget that our program next week will be the birthing kit assembly. Chris Nolte did a fantastic job last year, and I know she will have us organized so we will accomplish a great deal this year while having fun.
Your Board met last week mediately after the club meeting. Following are some outcomes from the Board meeting:
- Mike Dodson is meeting with Eddie Estes to discuss a community event and fundraiser for our club, possibly in City Park.
- The Board also discussed the possibility of serving beer on the East side of Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Early projections show a possibility of raising nearly $10,000 for our club if we serve at all 7 home games. To be successful we will need many volunteers. There will be more to come on this fundraising possibility once all our “due diligence” is completed.
- We have brought in 17 new members this year. This brings our membership to 197. Hopefully, we can make an effort over the next several months to bring in enough new members to go over the 200 mark.
- The Board approved a $500 contribution to the Downtown Topeka Rotary Club’s Foundation. The money will be used for human trafficking support kits, which will be assembled during the District Conference next week.
- The Board also approved the following:
  - $500 for Just Tri-it sponsorship. The Konza club is also committing $500 so that the Rotary clubs of Manhattan will be a $1000 sponsor.
  - $95 in support of live streaming the Rotary International Convention in Hamburg, Germany. This will allow more of our members to “participate” in the convention.
Upcoming Dates of Interest

April 25: Rotary on Tap (Colbert Hills – Joint social with Konza Club)
April 26-27: District 5710 Conference and Assembly (Cyrus Hotel, Topeka)
May 10: KSU baseball
May 20: Rotary Golf Tournament at Colbert Hills
May 21: Rotary on Tap (Bluestem Grill)
June 24: Rotary on Tap (Little Apple Brewery)

2019 District Annual Conference

Posted by Vernon Turner on Feb 05, 2019