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CONTENTS SPRING 2015 COVER PICTURE FINALISTS
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PRESIDENT’s WELCOME LETTER
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CYPRUS GERMANY ITALY LITHUANIA POLAND ROMANIA SAN MARINO
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SPAIN SWITZERLAND TURKEY UKRAINE INTERVIEWS WITH Miloš Dragović
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OPINION
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FUTURE ROTARACT EVENTS
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E.R.I.C. BOARD 2014-15 President: Emelie Aho Fältskog Past President: Laura Verdegaal Vice President: Milos Dragovic
Social Officer: Joana Pires Assistant: Friederike Schlüter Assistant: Lucky Dalena
Treasurer: Rana Kesken
Marketing Officer: Elia Estragues Assistant: Alodia Garcia-Frisach Assistant: Cloé Bernier Assistant: Marco Menegon
IT Officer: Tanguy Chassé Assistant: Phillip Leonhard Franke
Board Advisor: Brenda Mertens Board Advisor: Michael Ziedins
Secretary: Zsófi Kulcsár
E.R.I.C. MAGAZINE 2014 - 15 TEAM marketing@rotaracteurope.org Elia Estragues Marketing Officer
Cloé Bernier Marketing Assistant
Alodia Garcia-Frisach Marketing Assistant
Marco Menegon Marketing Assistant
Thank you very much Andrea Pizarro and Salvi Estragues for your help in technical issues.
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COVER PICTURE COVER PICTURE WINNER AND FINALISTS
Thank you very much to all the COVER PICTURE CONTEST participants on Instagram!
Winner Cover picture ERIC Magazine Spring 2015 Photography by: Julius Adomavičius Rotaract club of Vilnius, Lithuania. Duck Race in 2014
Finalist Photography by: Adrian Dan Pop. Youth Day. Rotaract and Interact Baia Mare TEAM, Romania
Finalist Photography by: Arina Varga Rotaract Club Arad, Romania · Spring 2015 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 3
PRESIDENT’s WELCOME LETTER Dear Rotaractors, First of all – I would like to welcome you all to EUCO 2015 in Bucharest! I wish you a fruitful weekend in Romania with lots of new friendships and experiences. The ERIC Board and I are ready. Are you? “Believing. We Take Dreams Seriously”. Yes, the motto of EUCO this year is aiming to remind each other about our belief in dreams and the outcome of our work in Rotaract. We organise not only projects and activities on a local basis but also do large, joint projects together around the world. Each of our projects is equally important. We, in the ERIC Board, would like to highlight some of these amazing projects you have successfully achieved. The Best European Service Project (BESP) and the Twin Club Award (TCA) is one way to underline the importance of ‘Service Above Self’ – to share your stories behind the project at EUCO.
With that said, I urge you all to take the opportunity to participate at the great workshops offered by our Rotaractors or to network and establish new twin projects during EUCO. It is important for not only me, but for all Rotaractors to not forget to have fun and enjoy the Rotaract ride during the year. We put a lot of efforts and love into our Rotaract activities - please continue doing it with a smile and let’s help each other! You + Me = Success. Rotaractly Yours, Emelie
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Emelie Aho F盲ltskog E.R.I.C. President 2014 - 15 Sweden & Belgium president@rotaracteurope.org 路 Spring 2015 路 ERIC MAGAZINE 路 5
CYPRUS “UNiTE to End Violence Against Women” Rotaract Club of Nicosia
The Rotaract Club of Nicosia joined UN’s «UNiTE to End Violence Against Women” Global Awareness Campaign, declared by the United Nations Secretary General in 2008, by creating 6 portrait posters that aim to build public engagement and promote consciousness on the existence of violence against women and girls worldwide. The Rotaract Club of Nicosia was invited to participate in UN’s UNiTE Campaign by the Rotaract UNITE group on Facebook (created by the Rotaract Club of Jumerah). RCN’s campaign was widely circulated through local social media (newspapers and Facebook), and expanded abroad through the Rotaract Club of Nicosia’s participatory contribution in the Orangeurhood Campaign (created by UN Women declaring every 25th of the month as “Orange Day”; the day to raise awareness on violence). During Orangeurhood, the Rotaract Club of Nicosia has collaborated with 13 Rotaract Clubs around the world and all of the Rotaract Clubs in Cyprus to promote unity and solidarity in saying “No” to violence. Furthermore, RCN collaborated with 2 universities in Cyprus for the circulation of the posters within the University grounds, with the Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family through an installation of the Campaign Posters in a pub-
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lic space, and with the Goethe Institut in Cyprus through the exhibition of the Campaign Posters in association with the Institut’s Women’s Film Week event in mid March. This Project does not concern only women, but men as well. It concerns the victim, the aggressor, the relative, the friend and every individual in the society. With this campaign we seek to raise awareness, as well as make a change in peo-
ple, that will generally serve as change for the future, on why violence should stop. Furthermore, this campaign has given us the opportunity to bring forward many discussions and opinions, exchange ideas and built new relationships. More information can be found: #RotaractClubofNicosia / #orangeday /#orangehood / #RotaractUnite
CYPRUS ROTARACT CYPRUS FELLOWSHIP WEEKEND All Rotaract Clubs in Cyprus On the 6th of April, all Rotaractors of Cyprus gathered together for a memorable fellowship weekend at Troodos Mountain, at the traditional village of Agros. The fellowship was a great opportunity for all Rotaract clubs and Rotaractors of Cyprus to get together and strengthen their friendship, promote team spirit, have fun and exchange ideas about projects and other Rotaract topics. In details, the program included: self awareness and strategy games, team building activities, yoga lessons and beer tasting! Rotaract Cyprus welcomed, at the fellowship Weekend, some international participants from Jordan and Lebanon including the DRR and the Incoming DRR of District 2451 who had the opportunity to discuss with Cypriot Rotaractors the challenges, goals, opportunities, and future plans of District 2451. Antonios Yemenaris Cyprus E.R.I.C. Representative
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DENMARK Come to Denmark for Nordact 2015 By Louise Dahlerup Sørensen
novatively and creatively - aiming at ensuring that everyone attending will harness this creativity and further encouraging this mindset to be taken back home to the respective Rotaract clubs. It is Marselis Rotaract Club’s The theme for Nordact 2015 aspiration that such creative is RETHINK, and born out of fuel will inspire members to the city’s theme for being the have dialogues for new ways European Capital of Culture of organizing and running Ro2017. Aarhus was chosen for taract clubs around the world. this some years ago, and ever Who says that what we did yessince, Aarhus and its people have been implementing and living RETHINK as a theme in projects, events and development plans. RETHINK has become a mindset of the people living and working in Aarhus. This year’s Nordact conference is to be hosted by Marselis Rotaract Club of Aarhus – a club and a city proud of its creativity and innovation. Nordact 2015 takes place from the 9th till 11th October 2015.
RETHINK, or in Danish ‘GENTÆNK’, is about experimenting and rethinking the way we live. The team behind Aarhus 2017 has defined RETHINK like this: “RETHINK means that we build on what currently exists, while also exploring whether things can be done differently. The theme RETHINK provides Aarhus2017 with the opportunity to create a “cultural laboratory” in the whole region where innovation and alternative solutions can develop and take root”. Marselis Rotaract aims to ensure that participants joining Nordact, will experience, up front, a taste of this innovation and creativity. The conference will therefore engage participants in thinking and acting in-
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terday is the key to success? The website will be up and running in a few weeks, and we open for registration and ticket sale mid-April. Any questions you can send our way at marselis@rotaract. dk - or get inspired to join at https://www.facebook.com/ events/872137486150666/
GERMANY RAC SCHOOL
Rotaract Club Bremen District 1850 E.R.I.C., RYLA, REM, DRR, TCA, Project Library, RFPD, CR, Twin Club, EuCo, ShelterBox, BESP - you know what I am talking about? That is fantastic. I guess you have been around a while ;) I also guess that some of you don’t know all the abbreviation…. We, the Rotaract Club Bremen, recognized that the older -or should I say more experienced?- Rotarators tend to talk in meetings and conversations a lot in those abbreviations. Therefore sometimes our guest and newer members cannot keep up with what we are talking about. We found two solutions for that problem which improved our club live a lot: First, we encourage everyone who has a comprehension question to raise not one but both index fingers, so the
PROJECT LIBRARY
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KIDS CAMP
MDIO TWIN CLUB
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speaker can explain the Rotaract term or abbreviation without being interrupted otherwise or lead of topic. And secondly we started to have RAC SCHOOLS. We try to have a RAC SCHOOL monthly starting thirty minutes before our regular meeting always focusing on a special Rotaract topic. To give you a few examples we had RAC SCHOOLS to talk about ShelterBox, E.R.I.C. (European Rotaract Information Centre) and its events, the structure of Rotary International as well as just recently on what is the “DeuKo” (Deutschland Konferenz; engl: German National Conference) and why should you join?. The next RAC SCHOOL will be about the “KidsCamp”*. The RAC SCHOOLS are very well attended and not only appreciated by our guests and newer members. At the same
DEUKO
time more experienced Rotaractors can skill their presentation techniques and talk about their favorite Rotaract topics by leading the RAC SCHOOLS. *KidsCamp is a major social Rotaract project in Germany organized by various clubs and districts to give Children in need the possibility to experience a short vacation, you may find more information on Facebook and here: www.rotaractkidscamp.de The website is only in German, but the movie gives a very good impression anyways. Friederike Schlüter Vice President Rotaract Club Bremen D 1850, Germany
SHELTERBOX
BESP EUCO TCA TCA RDK ERIC DRR
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ITALY ITALIAN ROUNDTRIP
Districts 2031, 2050 and 2060.
From April 8th To April 19th six lucky guys and girls from all over the world will take part to the North Italy Roundtrip 2015. It will be held by the Italian Districts 2031, 2050 and 2060. They will visit the beautiful and monumental Turin, the peaceful Aosta, in a gorgeous valley surrounded by the mountains, they’ll be welcomed in Brescia, a lively city close to the Garda Lake. Then will be the turn of the ancient and fascinating Verona, city of love according
to Shakespeare in his novel Romeo and Juliet. They’ll visit also Mantua, stunning city surrounded by three lakes and last but not least, the incredible Venice. In every city they’ll be welcomed warmly by local rotaractors and they’ll have a chance to get to know the Italian culture, enjoy its tasty food, visit its cities and monuments and be amazed by its beautiful landscapes.
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ITALY #OLTREICONFINIDELMARE
The Rotaract XXIV National Congress The countdown has started and the Rotaract District 2090 is eagerly waiting for what to always is one if not the most important time of the year at the Rotaract National. The Rotaract XXIV National Congress to be held 28 to 31 May 2015, will be set in the sublime setting of the Natu- Compulsory the visit at Ancoral Park of Monte Conero, in the na city, the nerve center of our heart of Marche region. land, city full of history, with a deep seafaring tradition. Be An event to show rota- cause of its unique shape elractors throughout Italy what bow (from the greek ANKON) is are the beauty of our territory, the only city in Italy where you between nature and history, can enjoy the enchanting view supported by the Youth Com- both of dawn the sunset over mittee of the National Fund Ital- the sea. ian (FAI) which will help us to further enhance all aspects of Then visit the “Natio Borour cultural and not region, tak- go Wild”. So is defined Recanati ing us for all of our visits. fact, by the Supreme Poet Giacomo Leopardi, who was born The journey starts from in the small town of Marche. the Hotel “Monte Conero”, a hotel with every comfort, on top So we will have the honof the homonymous mountain, or to visit Casa Leopardi, the which also includes the Church library, and every other point of and the Cloister of the Abbey of interest St. Peter, mentioned in many linked to the life and poetry of historical documents dating the famous poet, symbol of the back to 1038. incessant and inevitable conquest the study above all other Then it proceeds with family activities. admiring the Bay of Portonovo with Torre Clementina, built by Surely we could not miss Pope Clement XI as a defense a visit to the Shrine of the Holy against pirate attacks and the House of Loreto hosting Napoleonic fort, military bulwark to prevent the landing of the relic of the Holy enemy ships, both testimony House of Nazareth where acof military and commercial who cording to tradition, the Virgin owned this territory. Mary received
the announcement of the birth of Jesus. The Basilica complex, built around 1468, frescoed in ‘500 by artists of considerable importance, including the “Sala Pomarancio” (or Treasure Hall), painted by the artist Pomarancio in 1600 with an iconographic journey Life of the Virgin, in which hosts the work of the XXIV National Congress Rotaract. Last but not least, at Villa Buonaccorsi, surrounded by one of the most fascinating gardens of Italy, between water and mysterious caves, will host the gala dinner, time to”Takeover” and continuity of our association. It ‘s all ready, the bow looks to the horizon, the sea is calm, the wind is blowing in the right direction, just miss you, we wait for you and together we will go #oltreiconfinidelmare For info and reservations visit the website or contact us www.oltreiconfinidelmare.it email address i nfo@oltreiconfinidelmare.it · Spring 2015 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 11
ITALY 27 YEARS WITHOUT DONATING BLOOD: WHAT A SHAME FOR ME!
I reached 27 years old and I’ve never donate blood before. Why? Really, I don’t know why. I’m not afraid of the needles and neither of blood, obviously I never fell in love with the routine blood samples, but I’ve never had problems about them. I could justify myself using the excuse of being always too busy, but I remember, during high school, that the mobile unit was often parked just in front of my school; using the excuse of the trainings, but I gave up agonism some years ago and nothing changed. I don’t have a valid reason, simply I never considered the problem before. Then, some months ago, I listened to Giovanna Debernardi, President for the “Io ho quel che ho donato - Blood is life” commission of our District 2031, talking about this service and underlining the importance of sensitization of young people to blood donation and in that moment I suddenly realised that if our country is not able to afford the national blood demand is also my fault. In my 27 years of life I’ve never donate blood and I felt terribly ashamed of it! To redeem in October I went to the first donation day organised by our District (and then to the second one in February) and in one hour I filled in the form, did the prior visit, donated blood, finally did a proper breakfast, did the usual photos with the other rotaractors and, more important thing, I came back home with a
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smile on my face. I felt in some ways useful, proud of my choice not to remain in a total indifference. That day Margerita, the President of my Club, chose to share this experience with me even if she’s afraid of both needles and blood. For her it has not been so easy, but she closed her eyes and bited the bullet, to lead by exemple to all our Club members. For me this is the inner meaning of “Do ordin-
arythings in an extraordinary way”, our District motto. It means to choose to act, to be the active part, to contribute ourselves to improve the society we are living in and – why not – to ameliorate ourselves. We can do it just with a simple action, even trivial, but that in the end can save not one, but more lives. Federica Savio
ITALY SCOLARSHIP FOR ROTARY YOUTH ORCHESTRA District 2100
Naples: the concert dedicated to a great benefactor of the Rotary Youth Chamber Orchestra was held at the Basilica of St. John Major, Sunday, January 25, at 18:30, the Rotary Calogero Bellia. This concert has launched the first edition of the Concert Season of RYCO that includes a concert a month from January to May in important locations of the city of Naples. In some of these concerts the orchestra will be joined by internationally renowned soloists and periodically will be conducted by Maestro Simone Genuine, Director Youth Orchestra of Santa Cecilia. In addition to concerts in Naples, there will be concerts in Italy and abroad. The evening saw attend many Rotarians and others, many Past Governor and
the Governor of Rotary District 2100, Giancarlo Spices, and was conducted by Project Officer Rotary District 2100 ‘Youth Chamber Orchestra’, Maria Sbeglia. There were about 300 people. The proceeds were donated to the Rotary Foundation. During the evening were delivered scholarships for young musicians: they provided their support the Rotary District 2100, Rotary Club 16, the Rotaract District 2100, the Rotaract Club Naples West three Inner Wheel Neapolitans, supported by companies, institutions and individuals. In addition to the young talents of Campania there are young musicians from Calabria in both organic stable as soloists. The Representative of the District Rotaract 2100, the
Lametini Danilo De Fazio, said, for the year in progress Rotarian Rotary Youth Chamber Orchestra has been inserted between the projects of the Rotary District 2100 and the District Rotaract also wanted to support, first and foremost, the ‘excellence’ inside their own ‘family’, offering a scholarship to a young orchestra. As claimed by the violinist Uto Ughi “music is a language of brotherhood and the orchestra is the embryo of the company because everyone must listen to the voices of others.” With the willingness to listen to the demands of others, especially of our peers, we continue, we Rotaractors, to operate at the service of our communities and the furrow, daily and in a decisive manner, is tracked by Rotary International.
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LITHUANIA SWINGING SMILES Kaunas Rotaract Club
Sunny days, warm weather and beautiful nature - these are a few reasons why it is impossible to resist spending free time outdoors. However, children probably enjoy spending their leisure time outside the most. They come together to play in the playgrounds near their home. These playgrounds are supposed to be a safe and fun place for kids to play. Sadly, but a lot of playgrounds in Kaunas
are shabby and unsafe. But there are always ways to make things better! In order to make a change, we, members of Kaunas Rotaract club, initiated the project called Swings. Each year we choose some playgrounds and come together to renew them. This year we are going to continue this project for the fourth year in a row. We are happy that local community
always comes to help, because with this project we also encourage people to help each other, communicate and understand that good can be achieved without having to spend a fortune. Indeed the change is big. Now there are 12 renewed play grounds in Kaunas. They are all safe, colorful and used by children. Smiling faces and happy children are the best results we could wish for!
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LITHUANIA CHARITY EVENT – DUCK RACE! Vilnius Rotaract Club
Duck Race is a summery and colorful annual event for the whole family which is organized by Vilnius Rotaract club. Rubber ducks that are bought by the participants, on 7th of June will flock to the shores of the Vilnele River to take their place on the starting line. Games, fun and a good mood are the main components of the fest which attracts more than 1000 participants. We invite you to join the event with your family, kids or friends as the program is going to be really exciting! By buying the rubber
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duck which costs 15 EUR you help young talents who lack the financial support to fulfill their dreams. Young girl playing with Baltic psaltery, short-distance runner, accordionist and children from disadvantaged families are the ones that will be supported by your donations. Making these kids smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world definitely. The owner of the rubber duck not only becomes a part of the social project, but also can win valuable prizes that are waiting for the fastest ones.
POLAND XX YEARS ANIVERSARY & REM POZNAN 2015 Rotaract Club Poznań
Ready to visit Poznań? XX years anniversary Rotaract Club Poznań has just celebrated 20 years anniversary in complete darkness. What does it mean? Club members organized “Concert in the Darkness”. The idea was to show how difficult it is for blind people to live in the society. More than 170 guests, Ro-
tarians and Rotaractors from whole Poland arrived to Poznan on 28th of March to celebrate with us. One blind artist, Krzysztof Galas and his wife, together with Rychlicki/Gzella/ Kusztal trio took us for an unforgettable dark journey into the music world. Total proceed from the concert will be provided to help
Andżelika, who is a blind girl, to study on her dreamed university. After beautiful show there was also time for wishes and congratulations. REM POZNAŃ 2015 (8th – 11th October 2015) Do not get confused, Rotaract Poznań after celebrating the anni-
versary, is not going to rest. As many of you know, REM 2015 Autumn will take place in Poznan. All the participants will be accommodated in one 4**** hotel right in the city center, close to main tourist attractions. For participants of REM there will be an opportunity to participate in seminars that develop the ideas of Rotaract and are always organized by E.R.I.C. There will be time to strengthen the cooperation in carrying out international projects between the clubs. Everybody will also experience Polish hospitality. Next to the Opening Ceremony, all the participants will be (it continues on the next page)
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POLAND XX YEARS ANIVERSARY & REM POZNAN 2015 Rotaract Club Poznań
(it comes from the previous page) welcomed to join Gala Dinner on Satuday. The theme is poker, a game that seduced Agent 007. Therefore, even the Earth Hall on Poznań International Fair will
change for that one special evening in the truest Casino Royale. We can not publish all scheduled attractions, but we ensure that you will feel just like in Las Vegas. REM means also extra activities and
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there is lot to choose from. City game and a guided tour will show young Europeans very interesting aspects of our history, a visit to local breweries and workshops at the Museum of Rogal will let
you experience Polish uniqueness of flavors, and than canoeing on Cybina river will let you see the beauty of nature, even in the city. Wildlife, cuisine traditions and history, important in the context of European history, but also modern Poznan hotels, conference centers and music clubs - we think that is what will convince the participants of Rotaract European Meeting on how skillfully Polish people combine respect for the values of the dynamic development of the modern state. See you in Poznań! Lucy Giese REM Poznań 2015 Chairman More: www.rempoznan.com
POLAND VISIT AT THE ICE RINK Rotaract Club Szczencin District 2230 On the 27th of January 2015 we had the enormous pleasure of going ice skating with the children from the Orphanage in Police.
Although the weather had not exactly been wintery during the season, the visit to Szczecin’s ice skating rink was undoubtedly an
exciting and fulfilling event. Afterwards, we took all the children to a local pizzeria for a delicious lunch.
Michał Ziemski Rotaract Club Szczecin District 2230
CARNIVAL BALL LOTTERY Rotaract Club Szczecin District 2230 On the 13th of February 2015, during the annual Carnival Ball organised by Rotary
Club Szczecin, our club held a lottery, putting up nothing short of 150 prizes. These priz-
es (ranging from handmade yam hats to SPA invitations) had been offered to us cost-free
by several sponsors (individuals and local companies), allowing us to raise the amount of funds we needed. The profits from the lottery will be dedicated to send the poorest children from a few of the villages in the region on holiday this year. For many of the children it will be their first time to visit another town. Michał Ziemski Rotaract Club Szczecin District 2230
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ROMANIA HOPE WORKSHOP 2014
2nd edition, 19-21 December 2014. Rotaract Iasi Copou Romania District 2241 The Hope Workshop was conceived as a handmade workshop for the Interact, Rotaract and Rotary Clubs to sustain a fundraising campaign for charity causes in Iasi. The main goal was to renew furniture in an Educational Center for school children that belong to families with low financial possibilities. During the workshop, the members of the Club Iasi Copou (Rotary, Rotaract and Interact) and the children from
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the Educational Center crafted handmade items with Christmas motifs to be offered to the persons that donated money for our cause. The money raised from our campaign was used to renew the furniture (study desks, library furniture) and to buy food for Christmas holidays. The main partner (Palas Iasi Mall) provided us a free booth in the mall where we could run our fundraising activities.
The project was at 2nd Edition and it has a bi-annual frequency (Easter and Christmas). The final result of this project was not only the money raised but also the special friendship connection between the Club members and the children from Educational Center. Online: https://www.facebook.com/AtelierulSperantei
ROMANIA OFFER A SMILE 2014
A brighter Christmas for 98 Children in Iasi Rotaract Iasi Copou Romania District 2241 The project Offer a Smile is a traditionally charity activity for Rotarian Community in Iasi, including Rotaract Clubs and Interact Clubs and it always take place before Christmas Eve. The aim of this project is to offer a smile to children from poor families that can’t afford presents and food for Christ-
mas. The project is based on two steps: 1) fundraising: a charity party where members of the Clubs join to spend good time together and to collect money for this cause and 2) a shopping day with the children in a supermarket to buy toys, clothes and
food- each child is in the care of a member Club. This year we’ve had 98 children for Iasi County thanks to Clubs tight collaboration. Online: https://www.facebook. com/RotaractIasiCopou/photos/pb.315121211900005.
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ROMANIA SHOEBOX
Rotaract Club Craiova ShoeBox project is a tiny attempt to make the world a better place. We try to put a smile on the face of underprivileged children every year. Initially, this project started 8 years ago, in Cluj Napoca, in a family. Year by year it has evolved in an international project with 216 locations in 2014, Romanians around globe sending home shoeboxes. Rotaract Club of Craiova was the first club in 2241 District that have organized the project in 2012. After three years and thousands of shoeboxes delivered, we decided to make this our “little tradition”. This winter we were lucky to have the support of our Twin Club, Rotaract Antakya, who was along us and felt that we truly made a difference worldwide. We can find children or teenagers who are alone, hungry, cold and abandoned on every street corner if we look hard
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enough. We won’t save the world with shoeboxes full of sweets and other things but I think we will learn, in time, to think about what we have and not about what we still want. We will learn to cherish the pillow we rest our head on every night or the scarf around our neck. We will learn to laugh in the face of life and grab our
future by the horns.The ShoeBox experience, for me, is a life lesson, repetitive, consistent and no doubt that Romanians are wonderful people! We kept getting care packages for years after the revolution in ’89. We were in awe about the fact that strangers cared about us, strangers who lived far away. We didn’t know why they would care
ROMANIA
standing and peace in an environment of friendship and service. Check the video online: Youtube search: “ShoeBox Cadoul din cutia de pantofi” h t t p s : / / w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=KwON1VfMHXY Social media links: http://www.rotaract-craiova.ro/ https://www.facebook.com/rotaractcraiova
about the fate of people who live in Romania. I’ve come to think that if I don’t give to the person next to me, I will become poor with pockets full of money and bitter with a pantry full of apples. The old saying says that some things are “the gift that keeps on giving” and ShoeBox is the gift that can change a poor child’s reality for Christmas. – V. Vesa
others to involve themselves in the social issues and the wellbeing of their community, promoting international under-
Rares Cojocaru President of Rotaract Club Craiova District 2241 Assistant Area 6
Some stats from last Christmas: 620 shoeboxes (Rotaract only) 127 shoeboxes (partners) 10 villages 2 countries >1.000 people involved We tried to help children and also make something that will be reminding people about Rotaract and spark a little flame of curiosity and interest about us. And I think we succeeded... Simple events like this can provide just the encouragement for · Spring 2015 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 23
ROMANIA ROTARACT CLUB TRIUMPH, 5th YEAR ANNIVERSARY Rotaract Club Triumph impact a Rotaract Club has order to help 59 children who among community. suffer from deafness. We tried to bring them a light of joy by “Story within a Story” chari- involving them into creative actable event was held in order to tivities. Together, they have crehelp 35 children aged between ated incredible toys made from We are happy and pleased 5 months and 3 years old who modular pieces that were asto always have had Rotaract were abandoned and currently sembled into a mock-up named community close to us, in times cared by “Harap-Alb” Emer- “A Fairytale City”. These toys of need and celebration. We gency Abused Child Receiving were auctioned at our 5 years learned from each other, we Center. Our guests could enjoy celebration event and all the had fun, we grew, we overcame a great show of dance, theatre, money raised was donated to ourselves, we helped over 500 stand-up comedy, live mu- the Secondary Special School persons in need and discov- sic and fashion, thanks to our for the Deaf in Bucharest. ered the joy of serving above sponsors and supporters. self. Further challenges await for so“Growing into their favor” lutions and Rotaract Triumph 2 of our latest projects revealed is another project we became will always be there to make a once more the importance and very fond of. It was realized in difference! Rotaract Triumph proudly celebrated 5 years on 5th of March, 5 years full of stories, friends, laughter, joy, courage, balance, enthusiasm and challenges.
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SAN MARINO Rotaract San Marino Together in Exellences The main purpose of this national service that includes all italian clubs, is to select a list of firms that are a source of pride and esteem for the Italian territory, creating a series of articles describing the history of the company from its foundation to its current developments in order to raise awareness among Rotaractors, Rotarian and anybody else who could be interested in, of the huge potential of this Country. Indeed, Italy and San Marino are regions characterized by a multitude of small and medium-sized enterprises, many of which are not well known, which are based on the principle of reaching the excellence in quality: Rotaractors are going to bring out and tell the world the stories hidden behind the small local businesses and their entrepreneurs. Rotaract San Marino with all clubs of District 2072° has decided to accept this challenge and find out the excellences of our neighborhood: we did this with Barilla in Parma with Franco Guariglia of Rotary Salsomaggiore Terme as Head of Legal Office Barilla, we had the chance to discover the beginnings of a great multinational began 125 years ago as the adventure of a bread and pasta shop opened by Peter senior which now counts a huge amount of diversified products.
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We are going to do the same amazing experience in Cesena at Technogym Spa, highly successful company specializing in the production of professional sports equipment, on 18th of April
Our Pins In the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the club we decided to create our own commemorative pin with the Rotaract logo and the emblem of our Republic. Anyone interested in buying the pin can contact the club (info@rotaractsanmarino. org) and make arrangements for shipping or to receive it directly to the upcoming international events. The cost is 10 euros Treasure Hunt- Discovering San Marino
Rotaract Quiz On April 26th Rotaract Club San Marino organizes a game, in teams of 4 people, similar to a television quiz designed to test the knowledge of rotaractors and friends on general knowledge questions and of course Rotary an Rotaract topics. Winners will win a trip for 7 days in some of the most beautiful places in Italy. Runners-up will gain a series of local products of San Marino.
On 16th May Rotaract Club San Marino has scheduled a treasure hunt with the dual purpose of enjoying some time with Rotaractors of the neighborhood’s clubs and discover the amazing places of the city of San Marino. The game is structured in a set of puzzles, each of which will lead to the next till the last milestone by crossing the main monuments, historic buildings and attractions of San Marino.
SAN MARINO
For the winners of the game there will be a nice prize while for non-winners just the fun of spending a day in a beautiful city with a lot of great friends. XXXIV National Congress Members of our club are glad to attend the event created by district 2190 to celebrate the Rotarian year that is about to end in the amazing Conero Riviera. please contact San Marino’s or It will be a great occasion Italy’s CRs to have more inforto find out all the projects commation. pleted by different Districts of Italy, Malta, San Marino and Monaco, and to spend some lovely time with friends all around the Country for the last time in this year. The guys are working really hardly to give us the best event ever, so if you want to join us we will be happy to celebrate with our European friends. Check availability, program and packages on http://www. oltreiconfinidelmare.it/ The website is in Italian but
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SPAIN KILO PROJECT 7th March District 2202
Kilo Project is known as one of the main projects of district 2202 Rotaract Club. Celebrated every first Saturday of March, it makes to join the majority of clubs in that district for a good cause. The chosen locations to carry out the project are Barcelona and Blanes city (both seaside regions, situated in Catalonia). With the collaboration of some of the Rotary Club of the district 2202, the project consists on spending the day in one of the biggest supermarkets of each zone, and to gather as much non-perishable foods as possible by asking the custom-
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ers to cooperate with the cause giving at least 1 kilo of food. The duration of the project is determined by the opening hours of each mall and by the end of the day Rotaractors donate every single kilo to a charity organization. Barcelona’s Rotaract Clubs donate one part of the total amount of food (a 30% approximately) to the organization “Ayuda Directa” and the other part goes to “Food Bank” of Barcelona’s region, who this last takes responsibility for sharing out the food to different non-profit associations. Rotaract Club Es Portell from Blanes donates the entire
quantity of food to the social action organization called “Bon Samarità”, which is the one in charge to distribute that food to families in need through the town of Blanes. This year the project held its 4th edition, recollecting in Barcelona a total of 1.912 kg and in Blanes 1.771 kg. Such a great result considering the economic crisis that overwhelms the society nowadays. My sincere congratulations to all of the Rotaractors and Rotarys from district 2202, whose effort was worth to change some people’s life! District 2202
SPAIN HIKING EVENT
Rotaract Club Barcelona and Rotaract Club Condal District 2202 HThe Sagrada Família, Parc Güell and Les Rambles are all big symbols of the history of Barcelona. But long before, these lands of the western Mediterranean represented vital ancient civilization points. Born from collaboration between the Rotaract Club Barcelona and the Rotaract Club Condal, on the 14th of February both clubs organized a trip to the Iberian ruins of Puig Castellar with the aim to discover the ancient Mediterranean culture and work on creating team building between the clubs. A short and easy walk uphill surrounded by nature half an hour away from the city led to the archaeological sites on the Marina mountain range near the town of Santa Coloma de Gramanet. The ruins, partially reconstructed, were part of what had been an important settlement of the Iberian Laietans dated between the V and II century BC that had been abandoned in the mid of the II century BC by the Roman empire due to the Punic Wars. These Iberian were civilized nine centuries thanks to the Celtic technology (the iron) and were settled in many coastal hills, from where they used to fish and also keep a flourish trade with Emporium (Empúries). We could keep a long-winded speech about the life of these ancestors, about the farmers, shepherds, fisherman, merchants and warriors. However, a visit to this settle-
ment is highly recommended. Note, that it is considered the Laietan capital in what refers to the coastal hillock of the Montjuic hill. The village extended up to 4000 square meters and had approximated 300 citizens. People used to live in houses between 15 and 50 square meters with many public buildings. To the modern human it is difficult to imagine living in a small 30 square meters apartment with the entire family. As in all the villages of those times, it was protected by a simple rampart that was, in this case, had a double wall. Finally, this free of charge visit enables through explanatory signs to recreate and understand how these ancestors used to live. On the team-building level, the visit ended with a joint meal in which each participant brought a homemade dish to share with the hungry fellow Rotaractors. Jordi Carull Rotaract Club Condal, Presdent Mª Ángeles Vicente Rotaract Cub Barcelona Giusseppe Bono Rotaract Club Barcelona Guest Traductor Inés Rodríguez Rotaract Club Barcelona Traductor Rodrigo Pizarro Rotaract Club Barcelona President and photographer · Spring 2015 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 29
SPAIN RYLA LLEIDA 2015 District 2202
This ryla was centered around the concept of leadership under extreme circumstances. In order to better understand what extreme circumstances mean, the event was placed in the army base of Lleida, where future officials train to become leaders in real conflicts. 17 people attended, of which 5 were rotaractors. The first day we had a talk about humanitarian missions abroad, and how leadership is essential for those. Right after, we had dinner and another talk, this time about Rotary and Rotaract, for those who weren’t familiar with it. The next day we woke up really early to learn survival techniques and know the environment. Next we started walking into the open field to learn how to mount army tents. We also learned how to do rappel and cross a bridge on a rope. At night the great adventurer Albert Bosch came to see us and we shared experiences under the light of the moon. We slept out in the open, in the
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tents we just learned how to mount. The day after, we woke up again really early to receive a practical lesson about leadership. We discussed what attributes should leaders have, and some techniques to improve communication. Finally, there was a closing ceremony where we received the participation titles and thanked the organizers of the RYLA. It was a great experience and we are all looking forward to the next one!
Rodrigo Pizarro Secreatrio Distrital Rotaract 2202
SPAIN LA CALÇOTADA
Rotaract Club Gaudí-Mediterrània District 2202 ‘’La Calçotada’’ is one of the more distinguished traditions of our culture. ‘’calçots’’ are a variety of scallions, which have long bodies and leaves. The story of ‘’calçots’’ takes place in the 20th century in a picturesque town named Valls, also born place of the ‘’human castles’’, when a farmer covered these ‘’onions’’ with earth so a longer portion of the stems remained white and edible. Nowadays, friends and family gather together in an annual gastronomic celebration in order to enjoy the experience of a ‘’Calçotada’’. They start a fire and grilled the ‘’calçots’’ until these are charred, then they are wrapped in newspaper to steam. Later of, these are eaten by peeling off the charred skin. Since 2010 we are proud of our very unique annually Rotaract ‘’Calçotada’’ as we have accomplished a mix of tradition and solidarity. A part of the money paid for the meals and the profits we raised in a raffle are given away to a juvenile center that is in need of furniture and equipment. We are also delighted to have our inbounds from other countries as well as other Rotarians and Rotaracts joining us with the purpose of learning more about the Catalan culture. Coni Fernandez · Spring 2015 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 31
SPAIN THE THREE KINGS FROM ORIENT Rotaract Club del Vallès District 2202
Year after year, we do our best to give our kids magic and illusion to make them a little bit happier.
children’s eyes open, look at their parents and at the 3 kings, and see also the present they got, it’s a thing that we’ll never This is the 6th year we do forget. You realize how happy this project. Our Club Rota- they can be by only a little presract Vallès, every 5th of Janu- ent and how easy can be for us ary, organize a project called to make this project, when you “The 3 king’s”, coinciding with see brightness into their eyes. the 3 king’s night celebration. This project starts end It is known that during of August, when Club Rotaract this night all kids around the Vallès contact a toy manufacworld receive presents from the turer (a factory that is close 3 kings coming from far away. to where we live) asking for It is a kind of Santa Claus. a toys donation. The toys we For those kids who may get are the ones they cannot receive such presents (be- not sell because of basically cause of economic difficulties), packaging damage. Despite of we make sure they will get at that, we have to say that the least one present that night. toys are in perfect conditions. So, the main actors of this proj- In October it is time to ect are the little ones. start getting in touch with Offi We spend all night go- cial Community Social Servicing from one home to another, es, who provide us a list of the dressed up as the 3 kings and families with low-income status. their assistants, performing They know better than anyone a magical environment, and the families who really need trying to fulfill the children’s the toys we’ll deliver during that dreams: we deliver toys and night and the ones that don’t. share the kids’ happiness At the same time, we start prewhen opening the presents. paring all that is also involved in The moment when the the Project: we need costumes,
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people who will participate, etc. In December we officially launch the Project. Family and friends, rotarians, etc., they all give their two cents and also donate some toys. The members of our club, start getting in touch with the parents of those kits who will receive the presents to know a little bit more about what they like, what they want, if they have been good kids during the year… all this in order to personalize more the gifts. With all this information, we organize what we call family packs, and try to match what they have told us with what we have. The uncertainty to know if we will have enough presents, if what we have chosen for the kids will be what they really want, if everything will be fine… make us feel as if we were the 3 real kings. The night unfolds smoothly; there is warmth of emotion in the air, and once finished the night, our minds start thinking again on what we can do next year, what can we improve and make better to keep brining happiness to the ones that need it the most.
SWITZERLAND FLYING CROISSANT
Rotaract Club Zoo of Zurich Flying Croissant (FC) is a social project that has been created by the Rotary Club Zoo of Zurich. In 2011 Rotaract Zurich (RAC Zurich) and Zurich International Women’s Association (ZIWA) have taken over its organization. Furthermore, the project is supported by the American Women’s Club of Zurich (AWCZ). The Flying Croissant project has the goal of collecting the leftovers from bakeries and distributing it to people in need. Each Thursday a driver and a helper deliver the food to various non-profit organizations all over Zurich. The leftovers are not just bread or croissants but also cakes, sandwiches, salads etc. Everyone can help; RAC Zurich and ZIWA are only responsible for the organization and administration. But great volunteers are the main cause why the project works so well. The area of the bakeries is quite rich and even though Zurich is quite wealthy in general there are enough institutions that are very pleased to receive support. It can be a children and youth home or for example places where adults can go, that cannot care for themselves. At the moment we deliver to 5 institutions like this, but there is a possibility of expanding.
good friendships can be formed within the volunteers as the team is always put together in a different way. The volunteers vary in age, often volunteer afThe feedback of volunteers is ter they finish work and some very positive. They tell us, that even just come to the city to it is a great way to give some- support this project. thing back to the society and The homepage is called www.
flyingcroissant.ch and everyone who is interested can also send an email to sozialprojekte@rotaract-zuerich.ch. Florance von Gleichen, RAC Zurich · Spring 2015 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 33
SWITZERLAND IDK 2015 in LAUSANNE
The annual meeting of Rotaract clubs in Switzerland The annual meeting of Rotaract clubs Switzerland – The IDK (Inter Distrikt Konferenz) was held on Saturday, March 14th. This year it was organized by the Club of Lausanne in Epesses, a small picturesque village of canton Vaud region. Held annually, this event takes place over a whole day and contains 3 parts: the conference followed by a recreational part and a dinner. The conference allows to overview various events and activities that took place during the year in the three districts, to hand over the best social action
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award and to elect the committee for the following year. This year, it was the privilege of Geneva’s club to receive the award for the best project with their “Children’s Hospital” initiative, which consisted of visiting sick children in a hospital and organizing fun activities in order to bring a little bit of joy in their everyday life. We also had the chance this year to host the Governor Pierre Graden and Dirk Dauw, responsible of the interaction between Rotaract and Rotary clubs. The official part was followed by a recreational activity.
This year we were pleased to discover the vineyard of Patrick Fonjallaz, and taste the various wines he is producing. Finally, the day was completed with a delicious meal and a conclusion that this event was, without false modesty, a success! Finally, and this is noteworthy in my opinion, IDK is a kind of Swiss Parliament’s miniature because despite language and cultural differences of the members, we succeed in making decisions and joining forces for the good of society. Valeria Kovalenko, RAC Lausanne
SWITZERLAND ROTARACT CHARITY CONCERT 2015 Rotaract Club Basel On the 21st September 2014 the Rotaract Club Basel organized the fourth Charity Concert. After they had already organised charity concerts three times to raise funds for ShelterBox, they have decided to change this year’s beneficiary and to support a local organisation called Gassenküche Basel (Streetkitchen Basel). Similar to ShelterBox the Gassenküche Basel also provides help for people in need. Everyday around 120 people receive at the Gassenküche a free breakfast and a warm dinner for only 3 Swiss Francs. Everyone is welcome and nobody will ever be asked where they are from or why they visit. Therefore, people from various backgrounds and living situations come together in this place to eat and interact with each other.
Apart from the financial support of the Gassenküche another goal of the Charity Concert was to promote the dialogue between the social classes and nurture the awareness of marginalized people within the society. Therefore, the club organized in collaboration with the street magazine Surprise two “social city tours” before the Charity Concert. These city tours were lead by people in need and they showed the approximately 20 participants during two hours the different social institutions of Basel. The Charity Concert of the Aliéksey Vianna - Stephan Kurmann Duo started afterwards at 5 pm in the Predigerkirche Basel. Stephan Kurmann is the founder and leader of Basel’s Jazz Clubs Bird’s Eye and he is - thanks to his various live performances - already a well-
known artist in Basel’s Jazz scene. Aliéksey Vianna is a famous Brazilian guitar virtuoso. And once more the Charity Concert had been a great success. Almost 150 people gathered in the Predigerkirche to listen to the fantastic jazz concert with South American touch and to enjoy the self-made snacks and a glass of good wine. With the Charity Concert, the drinks and donations we could raise a total of 3000 Swiss Francs, which had been donated to the Gassenküche. The Gassenküche used the money to buy its approximately 250 regular guests a small present for Christmas consisting of useful everyday goods and some chocolates. Maurus Haefliger, RAC Basel
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TURKEY MACHINES FOR NEW-BORN KIDS Rotaract Club of Didim District 2440 Adopted our term’s slogan “Light up Rotary” Didim Rotary Club and Didim Rotaract Club, District 2440, made different organisations for 4 months. Didim Goverment Hospital needed a little machine for new-born kids. That machine can measure their deafness and the machine’s cost was about 10000 liras. Firstly we found the machine’s factory and we made a deal its price. On 24th nov we organized a dinner to our teachers on their day. On
11th march organized a big kermess. We organized a fishing tour. We earned that money and than on 22nd march we gave that machine to hospital’s manager.
KIDS EDUCATION SUPPORT PROJECT Rotract Ege District 2440
We joined activities with the kids and we agreed on a protocol agreement with İyiburnaz Primary School to provide financial support with these clubs and to realize education support project for these
students and their families. With the income we gained from Annual Activity, we made stationary help to İyiburnaz Primary School’s special students who have learning disability; for the
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purpose of developing their social communication, languagespeech, gross and fine motor progress and peer relations. We provided materials for paper activities and painting activies clubs. And we
took them to the puppet show in the Kültürpark İzmir Sanat with our protector club Ege Rotary.
TURKEY EDUCATION FOR EVERYTHING/EVERYTHING FOR EDUCATION Rotaract Club Izmir District 2440
The main theme of our project increasing students educational succes, contributing positive effects to parents and civils in one of the needer location in Izmir/Cennetcesme. We provided teacher training , needed classroom supplies an even built canteen and music rooms. Activities and other learning materials presented for students and their parents.We decided to setting up a new enriched library that is avaible for criteria of Ministry of National Education’s services. We have got parnerships for arranging seminars and creating activities with Non Govermental
Organizations,Companies and Ministries. According to our vocational courses 10 unemployed women had become careeist. Raising knowledge influced breadwinning. For increasing envorimental avareness of the students and community we all planted trees with Regional Irectorate of Forestry at the school yards. Eventhough weather were rainy students who are living near by the school helped us. Our motta everything for education spread across the country. Therefore, we donated a photocopy machine to another school in another city /
Agri. One of the devoted teacher of Agri Patnos Prömer Village School contacted with us though our official website and he told us their need for education. Upon the demand we found a functional photocopy machine and sent it to them.
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TURKEY PAINTING COMPETITION OF RECYCLING AND ENVIROMENT Rotaract Club Izmir Economy District 2440 According to Period Goals of I.R. 2440. District Rotaract Representative, we thought, as Izmir Economy Rotaract Club, cycling, development would be started by the exact owners of our world to raise the awareness for enviroment protection. Therefore we organised a competition with “Recycling and Enviroment” theme between our little friends, 7-12 ages. The competition, that completed with approximately 400 painting from 14 schools, proved us that our young friends have such limitless and deep imagination and awareness.
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TURKEY AN EDUCATION SUPPORT PROJECT FOR THE FIRST GRADERS Rotaract Club of Istanbul-Kalamis District 2420
As members of Rotaract Club of Istanbul-Kalamis, we were with the first graders of “Darica Mustafa Kemal Primary School” at the first day of school term which is the 8th of June 2014. We met 145 children’s needs with supports of R.I. District 2420 & Rotary Club of Istanbul-Kalamis and Adeland’s
sponsorship. We made students smile and we -as Rotaractors- attained their relatives with our writing-painting kits. In addition, we emphasized that “Education is definitely crucial!”. We wish to carry out this project annually. Light up with Rotary!
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TURKEY MAKE LITTLE HEARTS’ WISHES COME TRUE Rotaract Club Karsıyaka
When you think of your childhood you might remember that you had dreams which were small for adults but very big for you. So, we have decided to create a project to make little hearts’ wishes come true. First, we designed and decorated a ‘’Wishing Tree’’which we name our project after it- with colorful ornaments and ribbons on it. Then, we let *the children ( *who are in the scope of “Our Neighborhood” project) write their wishes in little colorful envelopes to hang them on branches of ‘’Wishing Tree’’. After that, under the leadership of our Community Services Committee; we built a stand in a big crowded shopping center at Izmir. In there, we represent our project. Benefactors liked the idea so much and chose gifts from envelopes to buy them. In the end of the day our stand was full of gifts with little hearts wished for, such as; crayons, new clothes, toys etc. We will give those gifts to our little hearts on 23 April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day . Our amazing team “Karsıyaka Rotaract Club” will keep touching the little hearts’ lifes forever as being a Rotaractor requires.
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TURKEY CALENDAR PROJECT Rotaract Club Nilufer
We, as Nilufer Rotaract Club, we believe that all obstacles in life can be achieved through solidarity, a smile and love. This calendar which is the reflection of people’s dreams who came together with this aim, with your support, will become a big step for the disabled children who are the members of Nilufer Is egitim Photo Club. We would like to thank you for supporting us in our small dream to become a big one and wish you a happy New Year with your beloved ones. As can be seen in the description, we organized our calendar project and then with the money we got, children’s dreams became real.
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TURKEY THE PENNY BANK PROJECT Rotaract Club of Tuzla District 2420
As Rotaract District 2420, a penny bank is built in İçerenköy Carrefour AVM. The Penny Bank Project aims to help people with their needs for stationeries, toys and clothes. So, we organized a project for our penny bank and we wanted to collect all the material in it to send for someone or somewhere in need. The project was accomplished at İçerenköy Carrefour on 13th of December. The materials were organized and packaged in 17 boxes by Rotaract Club of Tuzla members and sent to Şehit Binbaşı Erdoğan Özdemir Secondary School locates in Çığlı at Çukurca, Hakkari.
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UKRAINE BY TOUCHING I SEE Rotaract Club Lviv
Rotaract Club Lviv in collaboration with Lviv National Gallery of Arts and Lviv National Academy of Arts organized a social-artistic project “By Touching I See”, which is unique for Ukraine. The idea of this experimental project lies in adaptation of painted pieces of art for exposition and ability of tactile perception for visually impaired people and the blind. Portrait images from a series of painting are turned into sculpture portraits and are exposed near the corresponding paintings. So, paintings became sculptures and visually impaired people can percept them, “see” them by touching. The presentation and opening of the exposition “By Touching I See” took place on the 1st of October 2014 in Lviv National Gallery of Arts and will last until January 2015. Project “By Touching I See” is unique because there are almost no projects in Ukraine, which have this level of practical efficacy in sphere of visual arts adaptation for people with serious disorders of vision. Museums remain closed for the impaired. Rotaract Club Lviv had a mission to combine two unconnected on the first sight things: visual art and visually impaired people. That’s why it was very important for us to see that all blind people were really fascinated how they could “see” the pieces of art. We created a film, which gradu-
ally demonstrates the whole process of project realization. It was presented on Rotary Clubs’ meetings in Lviv, Rotary conferences in Ukraine, Poland, Belgium and received a very positive feedback. We took part in an “Impaired Museum Visitor” conference in Lviv, that was held as a part of “Museums Without Borders” project (a coalition of Ukrainian and Polish museums for professional service to impaired visitors). Project “By Touching I See” has been highlighted in different mass media: local TV, live interview on “Lviv Radio”, newspaper articles, more than ten publication on internet portals, press-conference in Lviv City Hall. Rotaract Club Lviv regards the continuous development of this innovative project as one of it’s main priorities, involving different institutions and organizations for collaboration. Vasyl Odrekhivskyy Roman Mashtaler
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INTERVIEWS INTERVIEW WITH Miloš Dragović E.R.I.C. Vice-President 2014-2015 With which purposes is MED MDIO founded? The purpose of existence of E.R.I.C. is the same as all the other MDIOs’. And this is to facilitate information exchange between member districts. In case of E.R.I.C. it is to spread information between the European districts. This is done by official meetings of Country Representatives, quarterly newsletters, yearly contests (Best European Service Project and Twin Club Award) and last but not least by three big annual international conferences open to all Rotaractors (the most spontaneous and probably the most efficient information exchange platform of them all). How many countries and districts are in the E.R.I.C. MDIO? E.R.I.C. is the biggest and the oldest international MDIO connecting 46 countries and 136 districts. This means that more than a quarter of Rotary World is affiliated in E.R.I.C.
What do you find inspiring in the E.R.I.C. MDIO? That it was the first to add true international dimension to a little archaic focus of Rotary towards local communities only. Do you intend to cooperate with the Med MDIO and in what way? E.R.I.C. has always supported Med MDIO and will continue to do so. Our November meeting in Milano is a proof of that where we had several promising discussions on the ideas for deepening the ties between the two MDIOs. Hopefully you will hear about them soon. When is the next meeting? The next meeting takes place in Istanbul on 15th of January. You are all very welcome to join it!
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Yours in Rotaract, Miloš Dragović E.R.I.C. Vice-President 2014-2015
OPINION ROTARACT NEW IMAGE
What do you think of the new logo? Let your voice be heard! #RACtalk #Rotalove #Sharingiscaring By Eugenie Syx
What is this all about? On Thursday the 26th of March, the Rotaract world was shaken up. The Brand Center of Rotary International released its new logo for Rotaract and… It was pink (– the official name is ‘cranberry’ –), it contained the Rotary wheel instead of the familiar ‘R’-mark and it mentioned the compulsory Rotary endorsement line ‘Rotary Club Partner’. Immediately the Rotaract official Facebook page was flooded with comments and questions. While some said they absolutely loved the new logo, others felt that Rotaract was loosing its own (visual) identity and questioned the rebranding decision-making process. To give a medium to Rotaractors worldwide to share their feelings about the new logo, an unofficial Facebook-group, called ‘Rotaract Rebranding
Discussion’ was created. Over 1.700 Rotaractors from all around the world joined in less than 48 hours and the mixed feelings about the logo clearly showed through the different comments and discussions. Arguments in favour and against the new logo. The arguments in favour were multiple. Foremost the strengthened link with Rotary was welcomed. Outwardly, the logo creates a bigger and more powerful brand to carry to the next generations. It explains the connection between Rotaract and Rotary to the public and Rotaract gains credibility by reaffirming that Rotaract is a partner of Rotary. Inwardly, it is a step in the right direction to narrow the gap between Rotaract and Rotary. It shows that Rotary sees and welcomes Rotaractors as equal partners and facilitates the transition from Rotaract to Rotary once mem-
bers turn 30 years old. On top of that, the logo is considered to look modern, young, catchy and visually appealing, with an empowering colour. The opposing arguments were equally valuable. First of all, the change provoked a strong emotional negative reaction. While strong brands usually choose the path of introducing small changes over time when rebranding, Rotary changed the Rotaract look completely and quite abruptly. Consequently a lot of Rotaractors felt that Rotaract lost its own identity. Not only did the colour change (– a colour which some people associate with girls or a breast cancer movement –), so did the whole make-up of the logo. While Rotary is mentioned twice – once in the endorsement line and once in the Rotary Wheel – Rotaract itself is mentioned only once. Hence the impression that Rotaract has been reduced to a program of Rotary. On the other hand, · Spring 2015 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 45
OPINION ROTARACT NEW IMAGE By Eugenie Syx members wonder how the meaning of ‘Partner’ should be interpreted. According to the visual identity Rotary guide, partners are external organizations who collaborate with Rotary. Others meanwhile ask if partner means equal partners and if equal partners aren’t supposed to have equal decisional power in decisions concerning Rotaract. Practical arguments were also raised. Some Rotaractors mentioned the high cost of investing in new club gear and promotional materials. While the official Rotaract Facebook fan page states that both the old logo and the new one can be used next to each other, consistency requires to use one brand only to identify an organization. Consequently the request for clearer guidelines was also heard. Is there a transition period? How creative is one allowed to be with the new logo? What is the exact colour code of cranberry: the one in the visual identity guidelines or the one of the logo available in the Brand Center? Do clubs have to use the Rotary endorsement line in all circumstances? This last question was even converted into a formal request by Rotaract Germany during the past DeuKo-conference. Linked to these questions, the lack of an own visual (R-) mark to be used without any other text is quoted as a large restriction to the practical use of the logo. The most obvious example being
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(Posted by: Bernhard Pribyl, Alinka Nikiforova and Teoman Adakan)
the Rotaract club pins: Should world voice their wish to comwe now use a pink square? municate with each other. While we have the Worldwide At the same time, the discus- Rotaract Directory, district- and sion group also became an M.D.I.O. meetings such as outlet for the more creative REM and EUCO, an umbrella Rotaractors to broadcast their global platform to communitalents. Alternatives to the new cate – either virtual or real-life logo were proposed, and espe- – does not exist. On the other cially the Aprils Fool’s editions hand, Rotaractors also voice were received with a lot of hilar- their wish to communicate betity. ter with Rotary International, especially about decisions that directly concern Rotaract. While The need for communication. the organizational structure of Rotary International contains a Apart from the feelings about Rotaract-Interact Committee, the logo, a recurring more im- their function is a mere advisory portant theme surged in the one, as was showed clearly in discussion group: the need for the rebranding process in which communication. On the one they were not involved. hand, Rotaractors all over the
OPINION
As a side note, it should be mentioned that Rotary International launched a survey concerning the logo last year in February, stating: “As a part of the effort to strengthen Rotary’s image, Rotary’s Communications team is exploring ways to update the logos used for Rotary’s programs for young leader.” A lot of Rotaractors and Rotarians however were not aware of this initiative and those who took the survey criticized it for being biased. ‘None of the above’ or ‘I prefer the current logo’ were not part of the options, nor was the new logo for that matter. Next to this it can also be mentioned that not everyone shares this wish for more communication. Some people point out that Rotaract should better use its time and energy in a more useful way then by discussing the new logo or a faulty decision-making process. Others play the paternalistic card and suggest that Rotary not only has the right to decide what happens with Rotaract, but that Rotary will also only take decisions which will benefit Rotaract.
So, what now? One, however, does not exclude the other. After all, one of the most inspiring Rotary slogans runs: “Join leaders. Exchange ideas. Take Action.” Following trough with these ideals, the ‘Rotaract Rebranding Discussion’ group launched a new survey to provide an accurate and impartial picture of Rotaractor’s thoughts, feelings and ideas regarding the Rotaract Rebrand. Therefore the survey was mailed to all the listed District Rotaract Representatives and shared abundantly on Facebook and Twitter: The more Rotaractors that complete the survey; the more representative will be the results. Once the survey is closed (on April 15), the results will be shared with those who took the survey. More importantly, the results will also be brought to the attention of Rotary International, and among others, our very own European Rotaractor Flo
Wackermann who is a member of the current Rotaract-Interact Committee, will discuss the results with the committee, which then can decide to use them to formulate recommendations to the Rotary Board of Directors. Will this lead to another rebrand? We don’t know, we don’t even know yet what the majority of the voters desire… What we do hope is that our initiative will trigger a better communication. A better communication of Rotaractors with fellow Rotaractors from all over the world; and a better communication of Rotaract and Rotary as equal partners in service. So what do you think of the new logo? Take the survey, share the survey and let us know: www.surveymonkey.com/s/ Q8Q6X39. At any rate, one thing is clear to me, love it or hate it: Rotaract is more than just a simple logo!
Eugenie Syx E.R.I.C. Country Representative-elect of Rotaract Belgium Moderator of the Facebook group ‘Rotaract Rebranding Discussion’ Ps: Want to join the discussion? Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ groups/829960763742400/
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FUTURE ROTARACT EVENTS http://rotaracteurope.org/upcoming-events/
Travel with Rotaract and discover the World while making friends! Here you can find some upcoming events. To see the complerte list, you can check the upcoming events section on rotaracteurope.org
May 2015 THE FIRST GRAND RUSSIAN BALL Cost: 80 EUR May 9th, 2015 @ 19:00 – 23:00GMT+3 Moscow, Russia
THE GOAL OF KINDNESS Cost: free May 23th, 2015 all-day GMT+3 Skatepark in Santaka, Kaunas, Lithuania Papilio gatvė, Kaunas Lithuania
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FUTURE ROTARACT EVENTS http://rotaracteurope.org/upcoming-events/ June 2015 ROTARACT PRECONVENTON 2015 SAO PAULO Cost: USD 50 June 4th - 5th, 2015 Colegio Rio Branco Avenida Higienópolis 996 - Consolacao, São Paulo, Brazil ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 2015 SAO PAULO Cost: USD 70-130 for Rotaractors June 6th - 9th, 2015 Anhembi Convention Center Avenida Olavo Fontoura, 1209 - Santana, São Paulo Brazil
August 2015 12TH ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL ROTARACT CONFERENCE (APRRC) 2015 INDONESIA August 8th, 2015 Indonesia
Check the complete calendar in this link http://rotaracteurope.org/upcoming-events/
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rotaracteurope. org/upcomingevents/
Spring 2015
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