from The Rotary Club of Halifax North West
Welcome to the monthly newsletter from the Rotary Club of Halifax Northwest, where we share the club’s and Rotary’s news and activities with the communities we serve. This issue highlights rotary’s Youth Services. Rotary spends much of its effort on Youth Services because we strongly believe in the adage that our youth is our future. Youth make up a very important part of our membership.
Interact clubs are for young people between the ages of 14 and 18. They are usually present in high schools and are sponsored by “parent” Rotary Clubs. Interact clubs take on projects of interest and relevant to todays youth.
Rotaract are similar clubs for youth over 18 years of age, usually present at universities. This year Rotary International has recognized Rotaract Clubs as having equal status to Rotary Clubs.
Both Interact and Rotaract clubs offer our youth development opportunities in leadership, good citizenship, international awareness, ethical behavior and community service.
In addition Rotary clubs also take on projects focused on youth development. An example is a collaboration with two other local clubs with Outward Bound Canada to send a youth group from Phoenix Youth Services on a wilderness canoe expedition in Kejimkujik National Park. The goal of the trip was to draw on Outward Bound Canada’s expertise in the development of self-esteem and self-confidence through shared group experiences in unfamiliar settings. This approach was seen as helping the participants to become effective, contributing and resilient leaders, both in their own lives and within their communities. During the trip participants were presented with a series of physical, social and mental challenges. Participants learned that everything they did impacted on the others in the group.
Finally, for several years our club has participated in a program sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ottawa to send a high school student to Ottawa for the Adventures in Citizenship (AIC) program. The program is a unique opportunity for young Canadians to gain a better understanding of our country and to learn about the workings of our democratic institutions through meetings with political leaders and senior officials, and participating in a mock parliament. It also gives participants the opportunity to meet and interact with their peers from all corners of the country and to gain a perspective of their perspectives and experiences.
Our Rotary Club of Halifax Northwest welcomes everyone to explore community service with us! We pride ourselves on being diverse and inclusive – and we’re friendly! We currently meet virtually (in person when pandemic circumstances allow) every Tuesday from 1145 to 1 pm. at Freeman’s on Dutch Village Road in Fairview. For more information contact Roger Chiasson at rogerchiasson305@ gmail.com or 782 234 9408.
Photo credits to https://www.facebook.com/rotaractcanada
