The Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin has been proud to have a close relationship with the Rotaractors at local universities mainly through the efforts of our club’s youth services chair Benjamas Uamsa-Ard. In 2013 our club sponsored the Rotaract club of Webster University of Thailand, and in 2016 we added Stamford International University.
Sadly in 2021 Webster University withdrew its campuses from Thailand, and Covid-19 meant that many of the Rotaractors activities were curtailed.
In June 2022 an opportunity arose for the RCRHH to sponsor the Rajamangala University Wangkraikangwon Campus which we gladly accepted. The Rotaract club of Rajamangala University Wangkraikangwon Campus has an established history in the local community, being very active with community projects.On Tuesday RCRHH President Phil Lawrence, President Elect Helmut Schepers, PP Brian Anderson, PP Napa Keawtem and youth services chair Benjamus Uamsa-Ard were pleased to meet 15 existing and potential Rotaract members including their club President Sirima Thabsi. Also Joining us was PP Dr. Danai Adulyyasak who was chair of the Rotaract District Committee 2021/22 and PP Aree Mitr-Uppatham from Rotary Club Hua Hin.
We look forward to an exciting year working again with our Rotaract clubs.
Rotaract originally began as a Rotary International youth program in 1968 at Charlotte North Rotary Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, and has grown into a major organisation of over 10,904 clubs spread around the world and over 203,000 members in 189 countries. It is a service, leadership, professional and community service organisation (often miscommunicated as a Social Service Club) for young men and women aged 18 and over.
Rotaract focuses on the development of young adults as leaders in their communities and workplaces. Clubs around the world also take part in international service projects, in a global effort to bring peace and international understanding to the world. "Rotaract" stands for "Rotary in Action", although the name originally comes from a combination of "Rotary" and "Interact" (International + Action), the high school level program created by Rotary International in 1962.
Most Rotaract activities take place at the club level. Rotaract clubs hold formal meetings in person or virtually, usually every two weeks, which feature speakers, special outings, social activities, discussions or visits to other clubs. Club members get together on designated days for service project work, social events, or professional/leadership development workshops.
To be eligible for membership, prospective members must be 18 years of age and over, show that they are committed to Rotaract, and show that they are of good standing in the community. After being approved by the club, prospective members are 'inducted' to become members, also known as 'Rotaractors'. The avenues of service include Club Service, Community Service, International Service and Professional Development.
In 2019, Rotaract went from being a programme of Rotary International to being a membership type of Rotary International, elevating its status to resemble that of Rotary clubs. On 1 July 2020, Rotaract clubs can exist on their own, or may be sponsored by Rotary and/or Rotaract clubs. This makes them true "partners in service" and key members of the family of Rotary. A Rotaract club may, but is not required to, establish upper age limits, provided that the club (in accordance with its bylaws) obtain the concurrence of its members and the sponsor club(s) (if sponsored).
