Rotaract is an international organization of service clubs for young men and women that fosters leadership and responsible citizenship, encourages high ethical standards in business and promotes international understanding and peace.


Rotaract is a program of Rotary International. Rotaract Clubs work under the guidance of their local Rotary Club, and take their name from a combination of the words Rotary and action. The first officially chartered Rotaract Club was in North Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1968, but clubs of young people associated in service with local Rotary Clubs had existed for several years in India and Europe.Today, there are some 165,000 members in more than 7,000 Rotaract Clubs in 151 countries. Clubs draw members from the community or are organized as an extracurricular activity for college students.

Rotaract Clubs organize a variety of projects and activities, depending primarily on the interests of the club members. There are, however, three types of activities within the Rotaract program that all the clubs undertake in varying degrees: professional development, leadership development, and service projects. Together, these three areas ensure a balanced club program and provide important experience and opportunities for the personal development of each Rotaractors.

Every Rotaract Club is part of a district Rotaract organization, run by elected representatives with support from sponsoring Rotarians. The district organization plans regional conferences, develops regional projects, holds club leadership training programs, and sponsors special events to strengthen the bond among clubs.

The Rotaract Club of Aruba is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Aruba and is part of District 7030 of Rotary International. Currently, the club of Aruba has 30 active members.

Rotaract functions internationally through a committee of Rotaractors and Rotarians. This committee works with Rotary International to plan an annual two days-long forum held prior to the Rotary international convention. This event offers Rotaractors from all over the world the chance to meet, discuss issues of mutual interest, and develop friendships based on international goodwill and understanding. Every three years Rotaractors conduct another international meeting called Interota, named from the words international and Rotaract.

 

The goals of Rotaract are:

  • To develop professional and leadership skills.

  • To emphasize respect for the rights of others, and to promote ethical standards and the dignity of all useful occupations.

  • To provide opportunities for young people to address the needs and concerns of the community and our world.

  • To provide opportunities for working in cooperation with sponsoring Rotary clubs.

  • To motivate young people for eventual membership in Rotary.