E.R.I.C. MAGAZINE, WINTER 2014 - 15

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CONTENTS WINTER 2014 - 15 PRESIDENT’s WELCOME LETTER AUSTRIA AZERBAIJAN CYPRUS

DENMARK ITALY LITHUANIA POLAND ROMANIA RUSSIA SAN MARINO SERBIA

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SPAIN SWITZERLAND TURKEY UK

INTERVIEWS W. C. BERNIER Zsófi Kulcsár UKRAINE INTERVIEWS W. C. BERNIER Friederike Schlüter Anastasia S. & Bernhard P. MED MDIO 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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PRESIDENT’s WELCOME LETTER Dear Rotaractors, First of all, I would like to congratulate you all to the very successful achievements you have accomplished within your Club or District so far during the E.R.I.C. year of 2014 – 2015!

The E.R.I.C. Board are also very proud to announce and show you the hard work we have put into Rotaract in Europe these last months.

One major improvement is that we have a brand new interactive website, we are going to welcome the new Country Representative from Finland at their first REM, you can now very easily apply for the BESP and TCA awards directly online and we also have done all the prep-work to live stream the E.R.I.C. meeting and Opening Ceremony. Additionally, we will start organising a monthly free webinar, giving all European Rotaractors possibilities to enhance knowledge and experience in the areas of Rotaract and continue with the CR Skype calls as well as to continue with our communication strategy – to

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make E.R.I.C. as visible and close to you as possible!

Second, I am very proud to let you know that I hade the possibility to meet the President of Rotary International, Gary Huang, during the autumn – and he was very excited about the excellent work E.R.I.C. is going! Mr Huang recognised our REMs and EUCOs as great platforms for knowledge and experience sharing, which we will continue develop during the year.

Many thanks to, and together with, Rotary and Rotaract in Copenhagen, we discussed how Rotaract and Rotary could collaborate in the future, how we all could be more visible for the public as well as the age limits for Rotaractors.

In other words, Rotary International believe E.R.I.C. as an MDIO are an important a…

Third, I would like to welcome you all to REM in Istanbul! REM in Istanbul will not only offer you interesting excursions but also good networking possibilities and of course – the E.R.I.C. meeting!

As always - it is important for not only me, but for all Rotaractors to not forget to have fun and enjoy the E.R.I.C. 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 Aho Fältskog E.R.I.C. President 2014 - 15 Sweden & Belgium president@rotaracteurope.org · Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 3

AUSTRIA EMERGENCY HELP BOSNIA Rotaract Club Graz

In May 2014, the Balkan region was hit by the biggest environmental catastrophe in 120 years. A flooding claimed many lives and destroyed large parts of villages and cities.

We, the Rotaract Club Graz, together with the Interact Club Graz and the help of four other Rotaract clubs in the region organized a collection of relief goods for a northern severely hit region of Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Within two days we managed to collect around 8 tons of water, can food, rice, noodles, sanitary goods and cleaning equipment, worth more than 25.000 €. In addition we received donations of about 5.200 € which were invested into disinfectants and medical supplies.

While sorting of the humanitarian goods we started looking for a possible option of transportation to the flooded region. This process was more difficult and took longer than we had expected.

Finally we had come to an agreement with the Austrian Military troops based in Bosnia.

They agreed on bringing the collected supplies to Bosnia and deliver them to the people

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in need. We are very grateful for their support.

To conclude the project, four members of our club travelled to the affected region and participated in supply distributions together with Austrian soldiers from the CIMIC (Civil Military Cooperation) unit, stationed in Bratunac. It was important to us not only to collect something and send it to the region but also to get active ourselves and help during the actual work of going to the people.

Although the project was set up and planned within one week and conducted directly afterwards, we were amazed and thankful for the immense support from our fellow Rotaract and Interact friends and the people who donated. It showed us how much is truly possible with the efforts of passionate people and many helping hands.

AUSTRIA “ICH HELFE LAUFEND”, AN AUSTRIAN CHARITY RUN Vienna

We are happy to announce our five year anniversary of the “Ich Helfe Laufend” Charity Run in the Viennese Augarten on May 17th 2015.

Traditionally the IHL-Run will take place in the Viennese Augarten, providing you with a beautiful scenery and just the right atmosphere.

For the past five years various Viennese Rotaract Clubs worked hard to organize the yearly charity run, always in mind to help those who need it most.

On the track race of exactly 1 km you can test your speed but also your endurance, motivated by our DJ, our moderator and the Vienna Samba Project. We will prepare snacks and refreshing drinks during the run. Afterwards you are invited to stay and enjoy several meals to relax, share impressions and chat.

Every year the IHL-Run supports different charitable organizations like “Die Boje”, “Verein Libelle” or “Die österreichische Autistenhilfe” and through these past events we were able to collect more than 50 000 €.

There will be various activities and games even for the smallest members of the famThis year’s donations go to the ily to pass the time, while Children Hospice MOMO, an their parents do their laps. organization located in Vienna, You can show your social enhelping families to take care of gagement as a single player or children with severe illnesses. in a team, no matter if you run, Nordic walk or stroll.

Not only helping the children but also trying to support their Every single round counts! parents and relatives, MOMO You can sign up on our official provides medical and psycho- website (http://www.ichhelflogical support as well as so- elaufend.at/). cial aid and grief counseling. The application fee will be 15 € per person.

SAVE THE DATE “Ich Helfe Laufen” Charity Run May 17th, 2015 Ichhelfelaufend.at 15 € per person · Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 5

AUSTRIA MULTI DISTRICT PRESIDENTIAL CONFERENCE Rotaract Club of Salzbourg The Rotaract Club of Salzburg warmly invites you to the Multidistrict Presidential Conference (MDPC) 2015 of the Austrian and Bosnian/Herzegovinian Districts 1910/1920 from 10-12th April 2015.

We hope to welcome participants from all over Europe again.

Although the presence of the RAC-presidents of AUT and BIH is mandatory, all members are invited.

The presidents will be able to present a short introduction about future projects of their clubs.

Furthermore you will experience the cultural heritage of Salzburg by day as well as party by night.

The registration already started!

You will find any information about MDPC 2015 in Salzburg on the following website: http:// w w w. m d p c 2 0 1 5 . o r g The board and organizing team is looking forward to welcome you right in the heart of Europe.

See you @ Salzburg!

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AZERBAIJAN PROJECTS DURING THE TERM Rotaract Club of Baku First half of the term has just passed and a number of great projects are behind.

in Saray orphanage for disabled children.

While weather was still warm joyful event with a lot of outdoor activiTerm has started with ties was organized at a simple clothes drive the seaside, and reproject– a number cently, in November, of families in need one more holiday was could get good qual- held in the orphanage ity clothes for all family itself, where children members. could participate in various developing acOn occasion of Gur- tivities. ban holiday, we visited families of World War Besides social projII veterans, spend time ects and teambuildwith them and congrat- ings, our club memulate their holiday. 25 bers didn’t forget about families were provided personal development with food packages - we and friends of with meat and other the club participated grocery products with at photographer Naila the help of our Rotary Akhundova’s colorclub. ful presentation of her photoset “Tour of Asia”.

Also our members took part in two joined proj- We also successects with Rotary held fully engaged in Proj-

ect Management training with Rotarian Hatice Berktash and were awarded with certificates.

asked young members of family about their New Year wishes. In addition to the wished gifts, all these children will get new winter outfit kindly provided by Baku Khazar Rotary Club and, hopefully, this December we will be able to let these kids see that dreams may come true.

Seeing forthcoming holidays - Christmas and New Year, we started a project called “Santa project”, the aim of which is to bring holiday magic in life of children that need it most. Our members Wishing you Merry visited a number of Christmas and Happy low income families New Year! with disabled children, Rotaract Club of appearing as Santa Baku Claus’s envoys and

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CYPRUS ROTARACT ACADEMY Distict 2452

ship skills and become more effective as board members or future presidents within their clubs.

Develop Rotaract leaders and provide them with an advanced level of Rotaract information in order to succeed in “Rotaract Academy” their demanding roles is an independent enin a district level. tity within District 2452 During the first Cyprus and aims to train and Rotaract Academy, a develop Rotaractors as MISSION: variety of Rotaract topProvide to prospecfuture leaders in order to be able to advance tive members with the ics were discussed. the object of Rotary basic Rotaract knowl- Among others, VDRR and lead the way for edge and professional Charis Michael pretraining on topics such sented this year’s new generations. as communication agenda and objectives for both Rotaract Cyskills and leadership.

HISTORY: prus and the District Train experienced The idea commenced as a small training members in order to 2452. course for Rotaractors advance their leader- The Cyprus represenBack to School? Well yes! On the 18th October all Cypriot Rotaractors returned back to school for a day and participated in the first “Rotaract Academy” organised in Cyprus.

of Zgharta Zawieh club in Lebanon, and then expanded to become a training program for all Rotaract clubs in Lebanon. After the great success in Rotaract Lebanon, the idea was transformed and led to the creation of the “Rotaract Academy” concept in District 2452.

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tatives in MED MDIO - Antigoni Karakoulli, and E.R.I.C. - Antonis Yemenaris, had the opportunity to give a detailed speech about the two organizations respectively.

In addition, the District Club Service Director and Past VDRR Kyriacos Elia Christofides discussed about club service topics.

Finally, the past DRR Elena Aroti and the past VDRR and Rotarian Vural Vural, had the opportunity to share their Rotaract experiences.

Antonis Yemenaris Cyprus Representative in E.R.I.C.

DENMARK TRAINING TODAY’S AND TOMORROW’s LEADERS Denmark

Around 20 Danish rotaractors have participated in Rotaract Leader Training Seminar where local Rotarians pay it forward to the next generation. For one of the clubs it has been a chance to involve all members in the development of a new club strategy.

general.

The seminar consisted of three meetings of which the last one was held recently in late November. A total of 20 to 25 Danish rotaractors from three clubs have participated in the 2014-edition.

as president an easier idea of the thoughts and wishes of the members.

“Marselis Rotaract as a club has made a huge benefit from letting our board members participate, and, additionally, since we let our ordinary members in on the process as well, we endA firm vision and a three-year Members take ownership of the ed up giving them ownership strategy plan. of the club’s strategy. Many club One of the participating clubs members felt it was an interestThose are two of the things was Marselis Rotaract Club. ing and exciting process to be Marselis Rotaract Club from Their concrete output from the a part of,” says Helene Sloth, Aarhus has gained from par- seminar was the launch of a who sees a great potential in ticipating in District 1440’s Ro- clear vision and a three-year expanding the leader training taract Leader Training Seminar strategy plan mapped out by seminars further.

– a new initiative in the Danish not just the board members but Rotary family. basically everyone in the club “If this leadership seminar were to become something, Rotary who wished to participate.

The basis idea is to have exin all the districts did, it is my perienced Rotarians arrange According to current club presi- belief that not only would it build a three-course long seminar, dent, Helene Sloth, the strategy bridges between Rotary to Roin which board members from process, facilitated by Rotar- taract but also supply members local Rotaract clubs can par- ians throughout the three semi- of Rotaract with new skills and ticipate and learn more about nars, gave the club the oppor- new knowledge that could be leadership, strategy, member tunity to come closer together used both within and outside of development and board work in as a group as well as giving her Rotaract.”

· Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 9

ITALY DISTRICT 2031 TURNS #APINK FOR BREST CANCER District 2031

Could an occasion be more fruitful than the month of October, dedicated to breast cancer’s awareness, for “Apinkising” our district? An ambitious but tangible project which engaged every single club thrillingly : to defeat this illness that affects many women by means of awareness raising and preventive actions. Thanks to the collaboration with LILT and Piemontese Foundation for Cancer Research, our district Service has a precise aim : the purchase of a last generation ecographer for mammography, which is essential for an early diagnosis of the disease.

During the month of October, many events related to #APINK project occurred, such as: Gala della Mole – III Edition The “Mole Antonelliana” shines in Pink thanks to Rotaract e LILT, as a symbol of joint fight against breast cancer, so as to raise the awareness of new generations with regard to this issue.

On 17th October, the Gala della Mole reached its third edition, totally renewed in a “pink” version, accordingly with the theme of district service 2014/2015.

The event could reach this visibility owing to the city of Turin,

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The Institute for Cancer Research of Candiolo and the Cinema Museum of Turin.

The proceeds of the event will be used to help purchasing this new ecographer for mammography.

Mr. Antonelli, the architect who designed the Mole Antoneliana, would be proud!

A bag of rice to fight Breast Cancer Every Sunday in October Rotaract Val Ticino di Novara prepared his banquet for the purchase of rice, offered by a Rotarian as usual. Many rotaractors engaged themselves in this successful service , whose profits have been donated to the District Project #APINK, in the occasion of the Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Nord-Est Zone inauguration Friday 17th October the NordEst area of District 2031 inaugurated its annual activity with an interclub dinner in the fascinating Club Unione di Novara. An eminent figure was also present at the event : S.E. Mons. Franco Giulio Brambilla, Bishop of the city, who dignified the evening. Mons. Brambilla talked about the condition of the Church in the society of today, analyzing the most contro-

versial issues of a relationship which is facing growing criticism in the common sense every single day. The proceeds of the event was donated entirely to the District project #APINK. Woman=Opportunity An evening in company with a special guest: Dr. Curti, equal opportunity assessor of the City of Turin and active promoter of integration and communication projects. A dinner at the poolside was the background A dinner at the poolside was the background of an interesting presentation on the opportunities which a “multicultural Turin” could carry forward. Initially conceived as “Woman=Opportunity” the presentation was enlarged by including a reality which is rarely considered by Rotarians, but has definitely a lot to do with us. The opportunities offered by the city of Turin resemble our own active services: we help who is in need, we get experienced in those peculiar sectors.

This time as well, the proceeds have been donated to #APINK Project.

Prisca Rolando · Carlotta Campanini · Davide Seggiaro · Michele Marchiaro · Antonio Omodei Zorini · Lorenzo Spiller

ITALY RUNNING TOGETHER TO END POLIO NOW District 2060 and THE VENICE MARATHON

The Venice Marathon is recognised as one of the most beautiful and fascinating world’s running event through the city of Venice.

But the Venice Marathon mostly is a “big heart” marathon, which always supports solidarity projects and is active in the promotion of sports as an essential element for the growth and education of young people: a marathon champion of solidarity that has charity as its major mission.

For this year Rotary, Rotaract and Venice Marathon, with the support of “Rete del Dono” Association, will work together to accomplish the job, symbol of Rotarian World to eradicate Polio in the World: End Polio Now. The clubs involved in this project are many and our club, Rotaract Monfalcone Grado, is one of those.

We took part in this project giving our support to an integral runner, who combined the challenge of the marathon on November 26th to the fundraising and solidarity.

The whole goal of this project was €20.000 but we already raised

€21.013!

OUR runner, the one that our Club chose to support, is Andrea Patroncino, President of the Celiasport - Gruppo giovani. He took the 3rd place for District 2060 in the fundraising challenge, in fact our Club target was € 500 but we’ve raised now €1.330!

Andrea ran the marathon with Marta Cunico, another champion both in running and fundraising.

They both ended the Marathon with a time of 3h35.

Thank you all for this incredible experience!

We will TOGETHER WRITE THE WORDS END POLIO NOW! Sara Braida Rotaract Monfalcone Grado, Vice President · Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 11

ITALY YOU ARE NOT ALONE Rotaract Club Carpi

Who’s not alone? When we born, when we get old, when we die...every day, there are moments during our life when we feel misunderstood, like there is no place for us, like everything we are and represent isn’t enough just because of the words, mostly lies, attitudes, actions, stereotypes coming from rolls which aren’t under bridges nowadays... they are into our offices, classes, streets and in our communications, choices or in our own words that’s why we have to get as many informations, as many help, as many instruments against them As we can.

That’s why “You are not Alone” This service comes from the union of two different souls: the first one from 2072, a district which wanted to make a service to help minority groups, the other from 2071, which wanted to get something about bullying: that has been the why.

From the why, we have to skip to the how to do... so a real work on the ground.

Rotaractors from all over district 2072 attended a threeday full immersion in a training made by Cassero LGBT Center of Bologna to elaborate and present a project for schools to make students more sensitive on the bullism field focusing on cyberbullism, homo phobic bullism and mobbing; in the meanwhile we ran the congress or-

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ganization with the help of two other district , 2071 our twin in his capaign and 2060 which has become our twin in this event.

picture of what bullism, cyberbullism, homophobic bullisim, gender bullism and mobbing are doing in and to our society such as making people feel anxious on their way to school or work, taking away their right to be what they are with no basis for comparison.

The panel discussion had been introduced by Alesandro Cecchi Paone and it highlighted some interesting points which would be used in the next steps of the service that is getting every school in a downfall system with the combined action of rotaractors and operators from Cassero.

The congress, which had the same title of the service, You are not Alone, focused on differentgrounds giving a lot of sparks in people who attended it, not just because of the thematic,which is really emphatic in a lot of different ways, but also because of our guests and speakers: Ernesto Caffo (professor of child neuropsychiatry and President of Telefono Azzurro), Maurizio Betti (psychologist and psychotherapist in charge of Cassero psicological advisory), Samantha Gamberini (jurist with expertise in mobbing), Geo Ceccaroli (director of fraud squad for Emilia Romagna), Alberto di Gabriele (head inspector of fraud squad of Emilia Romagna ) and Nadia Monti ( council member for security, youth and legality for Comune di Bologna); they resumed us a

You may say we are putting all our eggs in one basket, that this challenge is too much for us because it involves not only money, lotteries and parties but also time, feelings and emotions but this is how we do in 2072, we want to roll up our sleeves this time, we want to get involved, we want to change something.

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.

E.A.Poe Andrea D’Ambrosio President Rotaract Club Carpi

ITALY ROTARACT HOSPITAL TEDDY BEAR Multidistrict 2041 - 2042

The multidistrict 2041-2042 comprehends the city of Milan and the North Lombardy; 35 clubs and 654 enthusiasts’ fellows make it. All of them are involved in important service activities on their territories.

duced by several UK hospitals.

Our clubs will buy and give as presents “Clemente, the patient bear” to children belonging to their community and affected by different diseases.

future approaches with the doctor and the medical care.

This service is useful to help children, to stay close to their family and to provide a concrete presence on the territory in Then our fellows will go with the helping suffering people’ lives.

Our services are developed babies and their bears to the Our multidistrict will continue to both at national (as collabora- doctor. introduce and to offer this servition with other Italian districts) and local levels by the multidi- Rotaractors will apply band aid ce in Italy and Europe with joy and fake medication on Cle- and great passion. strict and the single clubs. mente’s body as if the bear Francesco Ascioti Among the services developed were sick and during the examiMultidistrict representatiby the multidistrict this year, nation the doctors will visit the ve – Rotaract Multidistrict there is ROTARACT HOSPI- bears instead of the children: 2041\2042 TAL TEDDY BEAR, our most in this way, listening the doctor Rotaract Year 2014\2015 and seeing the medical examiimportant project. nation as third and distant part, The idea takes its origin from the child will decrease his fright an Anglo-Saxon method intro- and will be more comfortable in

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LITHUANIA SOCIALLY ACTIVE PEOPLE FOR 20 YEARS Kaunas Rotaract Club

houses. With a financial help of Rotary clubs and the habitants of the yards, every year 4-6 playgrounds are being renewed and made more attractive to children.

Kaunas Rotaract club has This year will be the first year, very good relations with all the when Lithuania has its own Rotary clubs and has gained district – 1462. Kaunas Rotary their trust during the years. The club has been the first club in old members are welcomed in Lithuania and so is Kaunas Rotary clubs and all the projects Rotaract club. This year Kaunas are overviewed and supported Rotaract club will celebrate the besides the significant role in all the events of Rotary.

20th anniversary.

Lithuanian youth has been growing to socially active people for 20 years. Although Lithuania is a very small country, Rotarian movement there is very active and still spreading.

Kaunas Rotaract club has 8 big projects during one year and it is quite a number. “Our main purpose this year is not only to make good works, but to make our team stronger. We are not only colleagues or people, who have similar aims, but also we are friends” – claims the President of Kaunas Rotaract club 2014/15 Arnas Dudonis.

Among all the projects, Kaunas Rotaract club has several that they initiated and are proud of – “Warm winter” and “Swings”.

The projects now exist for 2-3 years and they gain more attention every year. “Warm winter” is a 3 year old project, which is made to help the children of poor families and their family members have something to wear during the cold season. Another project, called “Swings” is a bit older and this season it will celebrate its 4th anniversary. The aim of it is to renew the old playgrounds in the public yards of block flat · Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 15

LITHUANIA “MORE THAN 100 SMILES”

A project that enlightens a life of lonley and disadvantaged seniors Vilnius Rotaract Club “More than 100 Smiles” is a project aimed at socially most sensitive group of people lonely and poor elders.

This Vilnius Rotaract club‘s initiative focuses on cheering up the life of solitary and disadvantaged elderly people by helping them to have their wishes and dreams come true during for most people rather beautiful and cheerful time of a year – Christmas time.

For a 7th year in a row Vilnius Rotaract club help to fulfill dreams of more than one hundred socially vulnerable seniors. “More than 100 Smiles” is carried out in cooperation with non-governmental organization CARITAS and Social Support Center in Vilnius Municipality.

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This partnership allows Vilnius Rotaract club members to get in touch with social employees and seniors and in this way to find out needs and wishes of every elderly individually.

seniors, last year they visited more than 260 poor elders who literally have forgotten what the festive joy means.

Furthermore, “More than 100 Smiles” continues even afMany people would be sur- ter the festive season is over. prised to learn that very little is There are more than 30 elders needed to bring a glimpse of that live in extreme poverty and joy to the eyes of elders - most share very poor health. Those of them wish for modest things seniors require permanent and such as whole grains, canned special assistance, therefore, food, honey, vitamins, warm Vilnius Rotaract club members slippers, etc. Only a few dare to visit and support them throughask for more considerable gifts. out the entire year.

It is greatly satisfying to see how this project is growing every year - although during the previous years Vilnius Rotaract club members were ale to visit approximately 130, then 150

LITHUANIA ROTARY ACADEMY

A way to grow young leaders and future Rotarians

Dynamic, proactive, highly-motivated and adhering to the highest ethical standards.

No, this is not a description of a Super hero, but instead of a student participating in one of Vilnius Rotaract club`s project - “Rotary Academy”.

The main purpose of this 7th year in a row running mentoring scheme is to facilitate the transfer of professional knowledge and experience from established professionals to ambitious students and also to grow future Rotarians by introducing Rotary values to the participants.

University campus.

During the project, selected students participate in a range of events and attend lectures on creativity, entrepreneurship. Furthermore, assigned “Rotary Academy” mentors work individually with participants to help them achieve their targeted goals.

less, usually only 60 students are chosen.

When the “Rotary Academy” is over, these students are encouraged to join Rotaract clubs and, even further – at some point become a part of Rotary community.

The “Rotary Academy” is a very popular project, annually receiving approximately 1,000 applications from students from all over Lithuania. Neverthe-

The “Rotary Academy” is being run in Lithuania’s 4 biggest cities, attracting the most active and dedicated students seeking to gain knowledge and experience from beyond the · Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 17

LITHUANIA ROTARACT IN LITHUANIA: 20 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE Lithuania

This year is special because of a few significant occasions for Rotary and Rotaract in Lithuania.

Not only history of Rotary started 80 years ago, as anniversary was celebrated together with the initiation of RI District 1462, but also Rotaract marks 20 years of outstanding service in Lithuania.

Rotaract club Kaunas is the first club chartered in 1994.

Today there are 8 active Rotaract clubs within Lithuania which unite nearly 200 young perspective leaders eager to make positive change within the society and manifest values of Rotaract in their everyday activities.

What is essential to mention, through the history of organization a number of former Rotaractors are now members of Rotary clubs and continue their mission on a wider scale while

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still participating in major annual projects they had begun in order to achieve continuity.

This wide society is the main reason why Rotaract in Lithuania has managed to maintain the practice of successful projects and now counts decades of great experience.

A few to mention would be “Rubber duck racing“ of Rotaract club Vilnius, “Rotary academy“ – developed to be country wide project conducted by 6 clubs so far, tuberculosis prevention programs and many more.

Serving for the society motivates us and makes us proud to know we help hundreds of people every year.

Considering ourselves as quite young but mature community of Rotaractors in terms of ser-

vice and self-development, at this anniversary we start directing towards international experience.

We encourage our members to participate in various Rotary events abroad, hosting and taking part in youth exchanges.

In a few years we look forward to hosting one of Rotaract European Meetings and show you the beautiful country you probably have not been to – Lithuania.

Let‘s be friends – like our page on Facebook @ Rotaract Lithuania Laurynas Suodaitis Chair Council of Rotaract clubs RI D1462

POLAND OUR SEETEST TREAT Rotaract Club Szczecin On the 5th of November 2014 we took the kids from the “Jaś i Małgosia” community centre to the “Słodka Cytrynka” sweets workshop.

After a brief introduction, during which the children, among other things, guessed what are the lollipop dyes made of, the fun began.

In overlarge gloves and on special platforms, yet fully focused, ev-

eryone had the chance of natural ingredients. to design a lollipop on their own – thus teddy Michał Ziemski bears, kittens, snails Rotaract Club Szczecin and even cars were District 2230 made!

Furthermore – all out

JAZZ MEETING

Rotaract Club Szczecin On the 24th of October, thanks to an invitation from the President of Rotary Club Szczecin, Mr Włodzimierz Dominiczak - we were given the opportunity to participate in a jazz concert at Trafostacja Sztuki.

We have met marvellous musicians from all around the country, e. g. Sylwester Ostrowski, Francesco Bruno or Makoto Kuriya.

After the concert you could purchase the artists’ CD, with the prof-

its destined to charity.

We’d like to thank Rotary Club Szczecin

for the invitation and Michał Ziemski congratulate them on Rotaract Club Szczecin the organisation of the District 2230 event! · Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 19

POLAND WINTER DOES NOT HAVE TO BE COLD Rotaract Club Szczecin “Winter does not have to be cold” or annual collection of clothing behind us!

Once again, we received a lot of packages of clothes, toys and accessories, for which we thank the donors beautifully! This year, all the collected items will pass the poorest families from the village of Buk and surrounding areas.

Michał Ziemski Rotaract Club Szczecin District 2230

VII CHARITY CONCERT, “TALENTS OF SZCZENCIN” Rotaract Club Szczecin On Sunday November 23th, 2014 we had the honour to take part in the charity concert, promoting young and gifted artists of the Polish musical scene.

in Tanów and for the Disabled Children from Maria Grzegorzewska Centre in Police.

The conert’s idea began in 2007 and, continued up to this day, The concert, named aims at combining the “’Talents of Szczecin” advancement of Szchad been organised zecin’s talented youth for eighth by the Club and providing relief Rotary Szczecin Inter- for the needy, helping national. them overcome the The proceeds from the most critical obstacles event is intended for and problems. the pupils at the Physically Disabled Children Michał Ziemski and Youth Aid AssociaRotaract Club Szction “Tęcza”, the Spezecin cial Educational Centre District 2230

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POLAND REGISTRATION OF POTENTIAL MARROW DONORS Rotaract Club Szczecin

On Sunday, (19th October 2014) together with Rotary Club Szczecin Center and the DKMS foundation we conducted the registration of potential marrow donors.

The turnout was huge - We managed to register 165 people!!!

Thank you very much to everyone who had made up their mind and expressed their will to offer that what matters most.

Michał Ziemski Rotaract Club Szczecin District 2230

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POLAND SHOES FOR THE WINTER Rotaract Club Szczecin

On Saturday (the 8th of November), we had the pleasure to help with “Shoes for the Winter”, an event organised by the Rotary Club Szczecin Center.

150 children from large families, as well as from residential institutions, are now enjoying warm winter footwear.

This regular event had been held for the fifth time and for the fifth time it was extraordinary!

Michał Ziemski Rotaract Club Szczecin District 2230

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POLAND CHARITABLE CALENDAR 2015 Rotaract Club Warsaw Feel more than welcome to buy Charitable Calendar 2015, edited by Rotaract Club Warsaw Downtown.

The calendar is a A5 paper size notebook dedicated to all women fighting breast cancer.

It contains 12 beautiful and exceptional pictures of our friends from Rotaract, backed with touching statements as their answer for question why it is worth helping. Inside, you can also find useful information about prophylaxis of a breast cancer.

If you want to contribute to fight this disease, support an oncology foundation No pasaRAK and thereby, give a present to yourself or the intimate.

Buy our calendar by the website http://kalendarz.rtc-srodmiescie.pl/ or contacting one of the members of our club in person.

Pricing: 15€/10€ for first 50 buyers Models: Beata Borkowska, Hanna Dropko, Julia Dudziak, Aleksandra Gontarczyk, Alicja Gwiazda,

Halina Krzysztoporska, Edyta Niezgoda, Małgorzata Niezgoda, Joanna Ogińska, Edyta Palczewska, Maja Sidor, Lena Zielska.

Photographers: Wojtek Biały, Bartłomiej Komorowski, Ignacy Śmigielski.

Make Up and Stylist: Zuzanna Jaroszkie-

wicz, Karolina Naji, Ewelina Suchodolska.

Graphic Design: Sonia Pałęga, Marta Zielińska.

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POLAND „GRUNT TO CHOINKA“ or HELP KIDS SMILE FOR CHRISTMAS Rotaract Warszawa Zamek (Rotaract Warsaw Castle) Help Kids Smile for Christmas!, or “Help kids smile for Christmas”, organized by Rotaract Warszawa Zamek (Rotaract Warsaw Castle) since 2002, is an unusual project, which is based on a simple idea: children - all by themselves or with a little help from their parents - write letters to Santa Claus.

In those letters, they write what they would like to get for Christmas. Those are the gifts of their dreams, that their families are not able to afford.

Thanks to the raised funds, our club is buying all the dream presents. On the morning of Christmas Eve, Santa arrives at their homes with a bag full of gifts!

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From the very beginning, we are cooperating on this project with the Social Welfare Centers in Warsaw, helping us to reach the beneficiaries in need.

If you would like to help us raise the funds please contact us by email: prezydent@rtc-zamek. org or by Facebook (link to the fun page below).

Fb: RotaractWa r s z a w a - Z a m e k Warsaw-Castle Twitter: @RotaractWCastle

POLAND PIN-UP PICNIC! Rotaract Club Poznań Once in October in Poznań the sidewalk

by Masztalarska Street was filled with women wearing dotted dresses, with their hair set in high ponytails. Lots of gentlemen were captivated by mysterious looks those beauties gave them from under their black-lined eyelids. Everyone finally entered the hidden door – leading to “Scena na piętrze” (“The Stage on 1st Floor”).

The main attraction was though still to come - and it turned out to be an amusing performance delivered by the members of The Smile Comic Group.

Comedians made witty remarks on our current political and sociological situation of course in a light, joyful manner.

Memories fade with time, but it does not apply to the ones preserved in photos. Don’t you think the effect of Among them, there photo session made we were – Rotaractors during the celebrafrom Poznań. “Scena tion can compete with na piętrze” was the world-famous porplace where the Pin-up traits of the pin-up icon Picnic was organized Marylin Monroe? as a celebration of our sponsor’s, Rotary Paul Harris once said: Club, 25th Presidency. “This is a changing A boogie-woogie song world; we must be pre“Mr. Sandman” per- pared to change with formed by The Hot it. The story of Rotary Lips Band welcomed will have to be rewritthe host of the eve- ten again and again”. ning, 25th President We, the Rotaractors of Rotary Club Poznań of Poznań, respect Mr. Wojciech Górski. the great contribution He briefly reminded Poznań Rotary Club the audience of the gave to the develophistory of the Club and ment of Rotary in Poits outstanding found- land and hope to be ers, considering the their worthy succesability to cooperate sors! and the high standards set by first two PresiHanna Przezwicka dents – professors Ge- Rotaract Club Poznań rard Straburzyński and District 2230 Zbigniew Młynarek. · Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 25

POLAND SHARE YOUR TOY

Rotaract Club Trójmiasto Rotaract Club Trójmiasto is organizing Share your toy event for the third time already. The point of the event is to collect toys, games, books and any other things that will be delivered to families in need before Christmas. This year Rotaract Club Trójmiasto is trying to establish cooperation with manufacturers and shops so the new toys could be delivered to one of the children’s hospice in Tricity in Poland. If any of you would like to join and share your toy

that you no longer need or play with- contact us on Facebook.

For more information, please visit our facebook profile: https://www.facebook. com/ractrojmiasto?fref=ts and the event page: https:// www.facebook.com/ events/743880425730765/ Hopefully we will collect even more toys this year so join us or keep your fingers crossed J Kasia Kasprowicz

ROTARACT AUTUMN MEETING IN SPORT Rotaract Club Trójmiasto This years’ Rotaract Autumn Meeting for District 2230 took place in Sopot in Poland. Rotaract Club Trójmiasto worked really hard to prepare the conference and was doing the best to leave the participants with unforgettable experience.

The conference took 4 days so all the Rotaractors could choose the best suitable day of arrival. On Saturday, 25th of October the day started with panels. The host club invited Mrs. Dorota Kabat and Mr. Slawomir Chmiel- two experienced speakers. The panels won everyone’s interest and attention.

Mrs. Kabat, a Business Coach with 16 years of experience conducted workshops: Communications GPS- how effectively and consciously lead conversation with others. Mr. Chmiel, a Consultancy Manager at Gdańsk Foundation of Man-

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agement Development gave us a speech about planning our careers.

There were also other speakers- former District GovernorPiotr Wygnańczuk, District Governor Elect Barbara Pawlisz and Rotaract District Chairman Krzystyna Janicz-Szyszkin.

After the whole day of panels, Rotaract Club Trójmiasto invited everyone for the gala party which took place in one of the clubs in Sopot. Not only was the end of the conference the point of the party. Rotaract Club Trójmiasto was also celebrating its 15th Anniversary during the gala ball. It has been a wonderful weekend full of joy and new experience.

Kasia Kasprowicz

ROMANIA SWIMMATHON, PROMENADA INIMILOR & IASUL DEZBATE Rotaract Club Iasi Copou

Swimmathon 2014 This project is all about teamwork, competition and charity!

We participated at the beginning of July at a local swimming competition organized by another local NGO, but the prizes were not for us but for a group of children from Iasi with special needs.

Those children come mostly from poor families and we tried to collect money to build a house where they can come for a meal and some fun activities. This cause was suggested to us by Saving Children Organization from Iasi and the final result was 35 laps on long course pool, lots of fun and money for the new home.

Promenada Inimilor, 2014 Cardiac diseases, such as myocardial infarction and hypertension, have a very high prevalence amongst romanians. In light of this, we decided to participate at this sports activity called “Promenada Inimiilor” on September 24th, 2014 in Iasi, to encourage people of all ages to exercise and take care of their health . It was a successful project organized by Rotary Clubs in Romania where not only members of Rotaract/Rotary Clubs participated, but also a large number of teenagers participated in the running and had the chance to prove that health is a priority.

Iasul Dezbate, 2014 We organized the second edition of “ Iasul Dezbate”, a competition designed for high-schoolers who practice academical debate (Worlds Schools format). The event took place between the 7th and 9th of November and the participants were able to attend a conference on Human Rights, followed by a series of debates on prepared and impromptu motions. Such tournament offers the chance of practicing abilities of speaking in public, of developing opinions on various topics and encountering people with the same interests. · Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 27

ROMANIA ROTARACT BEACH VOLLEYBAL CUP

“You play Volley, We rehabilitate a kindergarten” Rotaract Club Craiova pleased by the enthusiasm and the wish to help of the participants, all contributing through donations which were later used to suply the department of Pediatrics of the hospital.

This year, we decided to involve more the comuntity in charitable projects than we did in past years.

So, we organised the secound The secound edition of Rota- edition of Rotaract Beach Volract Beach Vollayball Cup took layball Cup with the Motto: „You place in the last weekend of play volley, we rehabilitate a summer, on the 30th-31st of kindergarten!”.

For the most fortunate children, August.

One year ago, we invited the kindergarten is a modern friends as well as people who place where they enjoy spendwere passionate about sport ing their time. However, for and representatives of local many others, it is just a dull, public institutions to play vol- old and unhygienic place where leyball in order to raise founds they are compelled to go. Therefor the renovation of Hospital fore, we set as our goal to help no.2 Filantropia. We were very these children and managed It is not the most popular sport in the city, and it is even less popular in the country. However, for the past two years, in Craiova, voleyball has become more than just a sport. Now, it is a synonym for social activism, the involvement of people in the community life in order to make a change for the better.

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to raise the necessary founds to recondition and sanitize the Kingdergarten no.35 from Simnic, Dolj.

Together, we helped the children to learn in a clean, sanitized and friendly environment and to benefit from all the facilities that a 21st century kindergarten must have.

Teams from public institutions , of local and national comanies and well as volleyball amateurs signed up for the competition.

For 2 days, 30 teams played matches to qualify to the next stage.

We had an awesome weekend and are looking forward to finding another cause for next the summer session http://www.rotaract-craiova.ro/ Fb: https://www.facebook. com/rotaractcraiova

RUSSIA ROTARY AND ROTARACT ALLY AT THE BOTANIC GARDEN Rotaract Krasnodar Another stage of successful long-term project - a Rotary Alley at the Botanic Garden - was recently finished by RAC Krasnodar.

The story started two years ago, when Rotary “Krasnodar” celebrated its 10th birthday. It was pretty hard for our Rotaract to think of a good present for them, but the decision came itself. Our Rotary Club for many years wanted to create a Rotary alley in the city, but for different reasons never made it. We decided to help them fulfill their dream as a gift!

It wasn’t easy to organize, but on 8/12/2012 members of Rotary and Rotaract Krasnodar,

their guests and members of ICC Russia-Ukraine gathered to plant maples in Botanic garden. It was the first step, and it became a tradition!

After one year we planted maples again - this time for another special occasion - international day of Disabled people.

This time we did it together with charity organizations of Krasnodar.

This year it’s 10th anniversary of our Rotaract Club, and to celebrate that we have planted lilacs all together at the Botanic Garden and were very proud of our work!

These wonderful plants express our team spirit, family

atmosphere and link between generations. That’s why this project became very important for all of us!

In future we want to make special bookcase with free books and information about Rotary and Rotaract in this garden.

Special stones with engraved rotary symbols are already ordered, and we are looking forward to expanding the borders of our wonderful project!

We really hope that maples and lilacs will make happy not only us, but also visitors of the Garden and YOU, Rotaractors and Rotarians, are kindly invited to visit our beautiful Rotary Alley in Krasnodar!!!

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SAN MARINO ACTIVITIES IN SAN MARINO Rotaract Club San Marino

You are not Alone: aware- international day for women ness campaign against bullying Our new Pins

during the past social year by the Club of San Marino.

In the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the club we decided to create our own com- International New Year Eve memorative pin with the Rotaract logo and the emblem of our Republic.

The service of the year that includes many clubs of District 2072° is focused on this topic: raise awareness and fight a real disease: bullying.

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

We are now on the third step of African evening for Casa Mathe service: after the period of ria training on the issues of bullying, cyberbullying, homophobic bullying and their psychological impact and developments and after the an annual congress focused on the topic, we are now preparing our meeting in secondary schools of San Marino to let students be award of the problem and the several ways we have to fight it.

The Rotaract club San Marino, will join the event organized by the Rotaract Club Imola supRotaract in music porting the fundraising for the national project “Casa Maria” In collaboration with eight clubs for an orphanage in Africa. of the neighborhood we are organizing an musical evening at On 9th of January there will be the theatre to collect some con- a themed evening with food, tribution to the female hospital artists and typical products of in Reggio Emilia. The event will the African tradition, an event take place on 8th march on the already successfully organized

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Members of our club are glad to attend the event created by district 2120 to celebrate the incoming new year in the amazing city of Bari.

Rotaractors from that district had already shown their ability to organize great events supported by breathless landscapes, extraordinary food from southern Italian tradition in an atmosphere of terrific hospitality.

The guys are working for you too, so if you want to join us we will be happy to celebrate with our European friends.

Check availability, program and packages on www.capodannorotaract.com www.rotaractsanmarino.org info@rotaractsanmarino.org

SERBIA WINTER BOOTH Rotaract Club Zrenjanin „Rotaract club Zrenjanin“ has last year, for the second time organized an action “Winter booth” which lasted from 24.12.2013. to 06.01.2014.

The entire concept of this event is that it lasts during Christmas and New Year holidays, and it includes distribution of mulled wine and hot chocolate at promotional prices.

All products are prepared on the spot. „Rotaract club Zrenjanin“ has for the second time organized event of this kind, and we at the club are aiming towards making this one of our traditional actions, in which we will during New Year holidays every

year enable citizens of Zrenjanin to get themselves warm beverage and participate in humanitarian activity, and all of it is happening in the city centre.

All proceeds that we collect with the sale of beverages is intended for treatment for Milica Knežević, our co-citizen who suffers from quadriplegia.

During this years event we managed to collect funds in the amount of 500 EUR. This years event was held with the help of Rotary club Zrenjanin, Inerwheel club Zrenjanin, Touristic center of city of Zrenjanin, company Gomex, Wine club from Zrenjanin and Caffe Macchiato 023.

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SPAIN “A GLASS OF WINE MEANS A SMILE” Rotaract Club Orihuela The Rotaract Club Orihuela begins it’s project “A glass of wine, means a smile” with effort and hope.

This is the mind for starting each of our projects at Rotaract Orihuela, a new brand club where, although being aware we have a long way to go, we keep raised our team spirit up, undertaking and looking forward to keep growing and striving for make t h i s w o r l d better.

Therefore, “A glas of wine, means a smile” was born according to our values and work philosophy, a charity wine tasting and spanish finger food which will took place at Orihuela’s cafe La Encantà on Friday 12th of december2014.

The event, where a wide variety of the announced beverages donated by the brand Mateo Wines altruistically could be tasted, it’s organised as a way to finacing entertaiment activities at two retirement homes in Orihuela, and also at

the hospital children area, giving presents, sweets or toys for making the stay easier for childrens and old people.

The visit will be done on 17th, 22nd and 23rd december, going respectively to Centro Residencial Savia de Villamartín, where we will join choir of Nuestra Señora del Carmen School, to Vega Baja’s Hospital and Orihuela’s retirem e n t home.

In order to accomplish the taks, the group was divided into two working groups. The first group managed logistics and sponsors, collecting contributions from business and local trades from the city area to defray the cost of mounting the wine stage, poster printing, etc. The second, was ordered to get the agreements from the managers of each institution, collecting donatives from contributors and visiting retirement homes and hospitals.

Sandro Maciá Club Rotaract Orihuela

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SPAIN HIKING FOR THE “MATERNITAT” Rotaract Club Abat Oliba Condal

Last 26th of October, Rotaract Club Abat Oliba Condal went hiking through Collserola, the natural park of Barcelona.

The hiking was around 17 kilometers in which we enjoyed nice views of the city. We started in the University area of Barcelona and it ended at Vallvidrera, stopping at Santa Creu d’Olorda. At Vallvidrera we enjoyed barbacue altogether.

The participation fee was €20, including lunch cost and a contribution destinated to Matres Mundi Project “Life for Africa”.

This project consists in the construction of a medical university

hospital for prenatal medicine, in Addis Abeba. Capital of Ethiopia, country which has one of the highest rates in infant mortality.

Other relevant activities were taking part during the month of October, reason why we had few participants during the activity.

Although, 11 Rotaracts could enjoy of a delicious lunch, including green salad with carrot, tomatoes, olives and onion, dressed with olive oil and white wine vinegar. Also, some meat, such as pork chops, lamb ribs, pork sausage, creole sau-

sage and choricillo with “all I oli” sauce. All accompanied with toasted bread with oil, garlic and tomato. For dessert the options were green apple, tangerine and grapes, and water and montsant wine to drink.

At the end the total amount collected was €150, 32 and it was given to Matres Mundi on the 4th of December.

All participants were proud of participating and contributing to Life for Africa project.

Rotaract Club Abat Oliba Condal

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SPAIN “LA PÒLIO: CRÒNICA D’UNA NEGLIGÈNCIA” Rotaract Club Vallès As you all know, the rotarian community is very close to eradicate polio.

But still there is lot of work to do.

We took advantage of the International Day against the Poliomyelitis to put our two cents to fight this battle.

Our club Rotaract del Vallès and together with both Rotary Club Sant Cugat and Rotary Club Sabadell, organized an event where we projected a TV documentary from the National Television of Catalonia entitled “Polio: chronicle of a Negligence”.

This documentary recounts the testimony of people who suffered from polio during Franco dictatorship in Spain, where there was a denial to access the vaccine to prevent this disease.

After the projection there were a debate moderated

by a well-known TV presenter and with the presence of two of the people who suffered from polio, who also appeared in the documentary.

The debate was prepared

by Dr. Amargós from Guttman Institute and by another Rotarian Dr. Rodrigo, specialized in vaccines and advisor of the World Health Organization (WHO).

All attendees also enjoyed the little cocktail prepared with Rotarian Cava and Catalan pastries. With the obtained from the event we got more than 1130 vaccines.

Having more than 200 attendees, we are already thinking of next year’s event.

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Rotaract Club del Vallès

SPAIN INBOUNDS 1st MEETING OF DISTIRICT 2202 IN LLORET DE MAR

During the October 31 to November 2 in Lloret de Mar, virtually all of 2202 inbounds district have been celebrating Halloween party together in a beautiful spot on the Costa Brava in Catalonia.

In Lloret Costa Encantada hotel, guests by the youth committee of the 2202 District came all, 25, boys and girls in this lengthy exchange of 20142015, some of them accompanied by their host families.

This is the first meeting organized by the 2202 district, and it wanted to strengthen the

friendship of all boys and girls between them and also with different foster parents, thus giving an impression that we are a great Rotary family. At this meeting were also Rotarians and rotexs Rotaracts district.

During the two days that lasted the meeting, they have been able to enjoy much of being together, doing various activities at the same hotel as zumba, basketball, costumes, and makeup and also visit the historic gardens of Santa Clotilde.

On Saturday 1 were received by the governor, Mr. Ignacio Martinez Carde帽oso and those responsible for youth committee of the 2202 district, as well as the mayor of Lloret and were treated to some poles and other gifts by the Rotary Club of Lloret which hosted the meeting club.

For all participants, the meeting was fantastic and good sunny weather and warm temperatures have made it an agreeable.

Youth Commitee District 2202

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SWITZERLAND 27 CHESS PARTIES FOR SHELTERBOX Rotaract Club Limmattal

27 chess parties were played on 13 September 2014 in Schlieren, Switzerland.

For the benefit of ShelterBox Peter Pfiffner, dedicated member of the Rotary Club ZürichLimmattal, played a good four hours of simultanous chess against motivated Rotaractors, fellow Rotarians and one or two young chess talents.

Out of the 27 parties, he won 22, 4 resulted in a draw (remis) and only 1 was lost.

Thanks to the generous volun-

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tary contributions of the par- help through a shelterbox. ticipants, sponsors and spectators an amount of CHF 13’750 Thanks to the successful chess event from the Rotary and Rocould be raised. taract Clubs Zürich-Limmattal Shelterbox is a green box that almost 14 additional boxes contains all necessary items were donated. a group of 10 people needs in order to survive for several We would like to thank the months during a crisis. Includ- members of the Rotary Club ing transportation to the area of Zürich-Limmattal, the genercrisis, a box costs CHF 1’000. ous contributors and most of all Peter Pfiffner for such a great Since the ShelterBox project event! It was a pleasure to be was founded in the UK in the part of it. year 2000, well over one milFiona Huber lion people in almost 90 difRotaract Club Limmattal ferent countries have received

TURKEY HAPPIER CHILDREN, BETTER FUTURE Rotaract Club of Bostanli (Ismir) Rotaract Club of Bostanlı has been supporting the education of children for many years.

Our aim is to ensure the quality education and improve the learning skills of children.

We choose a twin school in our city, visit them, recognise the needs, provide the education materials and teaching equipments for children who are in first grade.

We organise a seminar about “How to raise a happy child” for parents and arrange some interactive training for children.

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TURKEY DISTRICT FIENDSHIP AGREEMENT District 2440 and District 2032 We want to light up Rotaract with our shining projects this year.

One of our biggest aim of this year is to realize a district twinning between two districts and realize an international project in District level. With District Twinning; we want to emphasize the international aspect of Rotaract service and friendship and to establish a long-term relationship with other clubs in our twin district that will lead to ongoing and effective projects.

We want to enhance the understanding of another culture and each other’s differences.

When the Rotary Day Event was in İzmir and during the Rotary international President Gary CK Huang’s visit to District 2440, we were so happy that Vice DRR of District 2032

Giovanni Spigno came and during the intercity meeting we all signed ‘District Friendship Agreement’ as being the first step of our friendship between two districts. And With this idea of twinning, Governor of District 2440 Mecit İsce and Governor

ci, Vice DRR of District 2032 Giovanni Spigno, Rotary international President Gary CK Huang, Governors of District 2440 and District 2430 and Director of Zone 20B Şafak Alpay signed that District Friendship Agreement during the intercity meeting in İzmir / Türkiye.

This Friendship agreement is the first step of our twinning. With this agreement, our aim is to create ‘Friendship between two districts with a service’. And we thought about ‘Protect Your District Heritage Project’ that we wanted to inform all the Rotaractors around the world about both districts’ historical and traditional places, foods and heritages.

of District 2430 Rotary Korhan Atilla supported this and Rotary International President Gary CK Huang is also supported that twinning between two disAlso we are creating a webtricts. page that will include the heriDRR of District 2440 Can Sezi- tages of both districts.

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TURKEY “A PIECE OF PEACE” AND “TODAY 1 HOUR, TOMORROW 1 LIFE” Denizli Rotaract Club and Deliklicınar Rotaract Club “ A Piece of Peace” We jointly organized our 2nd of our term and 532nd meeting of our Club at Kılçık Balık Restaurant with Deliklicınar Rotaract Club. We gathered together with the idea of “ A piece of Peace” at a pleasent dinner with the participation of residence of Denizli Aged Care Facility. We had the chance to conserve with our elders and celebrate our religious festival. Thanks to their participation and the smile on their face, we experienced a spectacular evening. “ Today 1 Hour Tomorrow 1 Life” As Denizli Rotaract Club, we invited METU Development Foundation Denizli Primary School Students to the event held within the scope of Project of “ Today 1 Hour Tomorrow 1 Life” on 06.11.2014 at Forum Camlık and we informed them by showing “ Mock-up Colon” and raised their awareness about food habits. By taking photos and videos, we aim to introduce everyone our region and inform people and enjoy the moment.

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TURKEY OTTOMAN FOODPRINTS FROM AEGENA TO BALKANS Rotaract Club of Dokuz Eylül’s Rotaract Club of Dokuz Eylül’s aim is to create awareness for an international project and we realized it.

Firstly our project’s name is Ottoman Foodprints from Aegena to Balkans.

We think that architecture and aesthetics play an essential role for representing Turkish culture and also it is a remarkable project for representing soul of Rotaract because many Rotaractors who live in abroad help us and give a self denial .

This project is about collecting photographes old one and new one the architectural works made suitable for Ottoman architecture at Aegean and Balkans in Ottoman period of time especially beginnig of 1990’s and taking new photos with the same aspect and same pose .We realized it with the help of Rotaract friends who live in Balkans. Our Project continues at full speed in area of Distict 2440 and also Balkans , Greece , Montenegro ,Bulgaria , Bosnia Herzegovina. · Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 41

TURKEY TURKEY & ITALY FRIENDSHIP CONCERT

Rotaract Club of Güzelyalı and Peschiera e del Garda Veronese Rotaract Club This project was held by Rotaract Club of Güzelyalı from Turkey and Peschiera e del Garda Veronese Rotaract Club from Italy.

The motto of this project is ‘Gained from Art, Spent on Art’, In this year we renewed our Twin Club agreement which was started last year. In 1th of Nowember 2014 the concert held in Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center in Izmir, with the support of the musicians of two nations, as a name of ‘Turkey and Italy Friendship Concert’.

The concert performed by Preschiera e del Garda Veronese Rotaract Club member who is the Xylophone player Alessio FRACCROLİ, the piyanists are ,one is the candidate member of Güzelyalı Rotaract Club Çağrı ARSEL. another piyanist Selen BALIKCI who is the Professional piyanist, Soprano Livio ANGELİSANTİ and Karsıyaka Municipality Polyphonic Choir, which performed Turkish and Italian songs, The preparations began one month in advance, as a result of the concert tickets sold to 300 participants.

During the concert week, five of the members from Peschiera e del Garda Veronese Rotaract Club were hosted by Güzelyalı Rotaract Club in Izmir for culturel exchange and to realise

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this multicultured event.

The concert revenue will be spent to art class which is going to be constituted at Mehmet Lutfiye Donmez Elemantary School, Izmir, Turkey.

The concert was published in various newspapers, websites and social media pages in Italy and Turkey to promote the two clubs and Rotaract.

TURKEY SUPPORT AGAINST LEARNING DISORDER Rotaract Club of Konak (Ismir)

As Rotaract Club of Konak of İzmir Türkiye, a member of District 2440; we are glad to announce that we have successfully implemented a new social project for educational improvements on our neighbourhood.

Project’s objective is to build a new special “Lower Class” in primary schools for the children who are having learning disorder problems which Turkish Ministry of Education makes it obligatory for each primary school as of this year.

“Lower Class” term is about learning talent poorness of the students but it’s not related to economic disadvantage, environmental factors, or cultural differences. It ‘s a special class established

for special children who are already in primary school age however, suffering from severe learning and learning difficulties.

We have realized improvements on one of the regular classes in Dumlupinar High School and we are very glad to see that ; Dumlupinar High School’s very first “Lower Class” is ready now by our substantial contrubutions before the new education year in 2015 starts.

Students with learning disorder problems having some different needs in order to be more consantrated and safe. Therefore these facts were taken into serious consideration for our project and implementation. The walls are painted as one single colour with lighter tones. The stone ground floor was dangerous for the students and it was replaced with laminated flooring in order to prevent having an accident may occur when they fall. Classroom door is renewed; the windows and window frames are repaired and painted.

Computer and air conditioning unit have also been donated in order to improve educational opportunities. · Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 43

UK ROTARACT GLOBAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS Presented at UN headquarters in New York Rotaract Club Westminster (London) Following the Rotaract Global Model United Nations Conference in London organised by the Rotaract Club of Westminster it was time for two of the club’s members and two conference committee chairs to hop across the pond to the Big Apple. The occasion was the annual Rotary UN Day held in the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 01 November.

met RI president Gary C.K. Huang.

The reason for the journey though was to spread the word about Rotaract MUN. In one of the sessions the four delivered a presentation to increase its exposure within the Rotary family.

Rotaractors Zsófi Kulcsár and Jakob Zimmermann detailed the concept and vision behind Rotaract MUN and stressed its value for Rotaract itself.

During the day the group heard senior UN representatives talk about topics such as global post-2015 development planning and took part in breakout sessions on economic development as well as peace and conflict resolution.

The London Rotaractors also

By presenting at the UN a dream came true for Najaf Raza and Suhaas Savio Ema, chairpersons of the Human Rights Council and Peacebuilding Commission at Rotaract MUN. Both are experienced MUN veterans and passionate about the UN. They explained the academic side of the conference and the resolutions passed by their committees. Those dealt with children in armed conflicts and the fight against the Islamic State.

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After the conference the Rotaract Club of New York at the United Nations organised a fundraising social event, where everyone could network with fellow Rotaractors from around the world.

MUN as part of Rotaract is still in its infancy. Therefore, the trip to New York was important to ensure that Rotaract Global MUN will grow and will in future be firmly anchored in the worldwide Rotaract calendar.

With the announcement of Belgrade as the 2015 hosting city another step on this journey has been made.

Jakob Zimmermann DRR D1130 2014/15

INTERVIEWS WITH CLOÉ BERNIER ROTARACT GLOBAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS from the inside with Zsófi Kulcsár

Zsofi Kulcsar RAC Westminster, United Kingdom HOC Rotaract Model United Nations 2014 London

What is Rotaract Global development etc.

MUN? What’s its purpose?

What skills can you develop Model United Nations confer- during MUN? ences or short MUNs are academic conferences where par- From day 1 you learn about ticipants (who during the event public speaking, negotiating, are called county representa- how to present your argument tives and/or delegates) – stu- in 2 minutes, how to address dents, youth workers and/or UN officials, quick and objecleaders and young profession- tive decision-making, planning als from across the world, as- ahead, seeing the bigger picsume the role of representing ture. You become a diplomat for a country and debate in formal 3 days when you have to act in sessions current political, social the best interest of the country and economic issues. MUNs you represent. represent an opportunity to As it’s a speedy learning curve, learn how to influence decision- you realize how quickly you can making at international level. adapt to new situations and learn new skills. By the end of What skills are needed to par- the event you are walking in a ticipate in MUN? UN representative’s shoes and There isn’t a clear list of skills that we expect from participants, as we had delegates ranging from having no experience at all to this being their 28th conference.

The focus is more on the interests that we share: diplomacy, public speaking, UN causes, public speaking, politics, international relations, development, human rights, peace and conflict resolution, economic

The first meeting of the UN took place in London on the 16th January 1946, hosted by District 13 at the Caxton Hall, presided over by RI President Tom Warren, who declared it to be the ‘touchstone for a gesture of international goodwill unique in the history of Rotary’.

President of RIBI, Tom Benson said ‘UN is a new beginning in

feel that your voice does matter and can make a difference.

MUN seems like a very serious event… Can you tell us more about the relaxed part of it?

Serious? Well I guess it is, as it requires delegates to attend the academic conference (from 9 to 6) for 3 days. And when you are negotiating the future of your country in a certain situation, you don’t want to be too hangover). After such an intense weekend we of course offer evening entertainment, where the main purpose is for the delegates to relax, get out from the country delegate mind set and have fun. Since we had international cooperation to make peace; Rotary, wherever established, is pledged to the ideal of service to mankind in international affairs’.

Due to the close ties between Rotary and the UN, Rotaract MUN is a great educational platform for Rotaractors to have their voice heard in the international community. · Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 45

INTERVIEWS WITH CLOÉ BERNIER Zsófi Kulcsár

more than 25 countries represented, we had an international evening, where we could learn about each other’s culture, we went beer tasting and of course a little party never killed nobody.

On Sunday we had our End Polio Scavenger hung: its purpose was to raise awareness of polio in central London and for delegates to see the mind-blowing landmarks of London.

What made you want to organize one in London?

I was always interested in the missions of the UN and its aim to try and make this world a better place through education.

There are many ways we can contribute to this, firstly being part of Rotaract and organizing local and international charitable projects. But I always believe there is so much more we can do. One of the key causes

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really close to my heart is education. Giving the platform to young leaders to express themselves, to learn and develop, is the key to a more peaceful future.

Rotaract MUN brings together young professionals and students who are keen in making real changes and providing this platform is helping and facilitat-

ing them to reaching their and our goals.

What problems did you encounter during the organization and the event itself?

Since it was the second edition of the event, there are of course loads of things we need to learn and discover. You need to prepare a fair bit for the academic side of the conference, and since we didn’t have much experience of the conference format, there were some things we discovered we were missing on the day. But of course nothing we couldn’t handle.

Organizing and event in London can be a bit challenging especially if you want the participants to see most of the touristic attractions and you only have the evening to do this. Living in London for 5 years now, you tend to forget that distances are different, you don’t notice how many people are on the tube until you are trying to get

INTERVIEWS WITH CLOÉ BERNIER Zsófi Kulcsár

60 people in the same carriage, from A to B on the weekend J Name a few things that made it worth going through those problems to pull off this event !

I think we would all do this all over again, you know what they say, you’re wiser the second time. We as a team learned a lot but enjoyed the experience really much.

As a HOC for any E.R.I.C. event, you go though really busy and hectic periods, you’re running in 100 places during the event, but then when you’re saying goodbye at the end of the event you realize that friendships were born, participants had a great time and it was a unique an unforgettable experience.

What was your favorite moment of the weekend?

There were quite a few favorite moments throughout the 4 days, but one that pops into my mind is the international

evening. Each delegate had to present their country (without telling the name of it) by describing 1 unknown custom, speaking in their language and singing a traditional song or dancing. Delegates were a bit shy at the beginning but then we all ended up singing and dancing together: we experienced dancing moves from Ghana, Mexico, Ireland, USA and beautiful songs from Spain and UK and more.

This is when we all felt that we are all part of a greater world, it didn’t matter where you were coming from or which language you were speaking, we were celebrating our cultures together and the only languages we spoke were friendship and laughter.

Is there anything else you want to tell us about MUN that most of the people probably don’t expect?

Together with Rotaract TEAM Baia Mare, RAC Westminster is hoping that many Rotaractors will join this movement and attend future events. Our aim is to grow this international youth platform together to give a chance to young people to get their voice heard by the United Nations.

We are delighted to announce the 3rd club hosting Rotaract Global MUN in 2015: Rotaract Club of Beograd, Serbia! · Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 47

UKRAINE BOOKS FOR SLOVIANSK

Rotaract Club Ivano-Frankivsk

Forgetting about the horror and difficulties of living in a zone of military operations, citizens of Sloviansk have been coming to … the library.

After returning Olechka Kosovych inspired our Rotaract club to start the project.

Educationalists and librarians and school students throughout Ivano-Frankivsk were more They sought not only the books than willing to join the project, so and found so much more than we soon had as many as 1170 just literature! 1170 books – books. Students and adults all new and colourful, hard- signed almost every book with covered, carefully chosen and words of sheer support, warmth delivered from Ivano-Frankivsk and encouragement for their – came to be not only a source peer-students and colleagues of literature in Ukrainian, but a in Sloviansk. powerful message. A message from “the west” to “the east”, a “Unpacking a box after a box message of support, love and librarians were happy as kids: sharing!

“Unbelievable, here is Harry Potter and Shevchenko, the The idea of the project appeared manuals on painting pysankas, during the trip to Sloviansk, encyclopedias and lots of other which Olechka Kosovych from books” – everything that was so Rotaract Club Ivano-Frankivsk much awaited here, but never made to deliver humanitarian affordable”, writes the journalist aid, vyshyvankas (traditional form Sloviansk and an active Ukrainian clothes) and letters to volunteer Elena Kuleshova on Ukrainian soldiers. Librarians in her Facebook.

Sloviansk told about their lack of books in Ukrainian language. Rotary club Sloviansk helped

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with the delivery of our big and valuable packages to the libraries. So we thank Serhiy Pustovit, Artur Nasibian and Denys Babynskiy (RC IvanoFrankivsk) for cooperation!

Besides the books there were also letters and pictures from our little citizens, in which children traditionally wished our soldiers to win and come back alive! Letters and pictures went to National Guard soldiers and 95 airmobile brigade.

Also a much needed present for our soldiers, a potbelly stove, was sponsored by Mykola Kubishyn from Rotary IvanoFrankivsk.

Hard times will soon pass, we believe. Together we’ll stay strong.

Olga Tomilova Rotaract Club Ivano-Frankivsk

UKRAINE CALENDAR “UKRAINE 2015”

9 Rotaract Clubs of Ukraine: Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv Multinational, Kiev-City, Kyiv-Centre, Lviv, Poltava, Rivne, Kharkiv and Yalta.

This year turned into so unexpected and quite complicated one for our country. Events started in November 2013 stepwise created a new page of the Ukraine’s history.

Collaboration of Rotary and Rotaract became so important for rebalancing in the society as never before.

Current projects almost of all clubs except ordinary club servicing changed to cooperation for helping those people who need it the most.

During last 10 months associations with Ukraine have being changed principally.

Instead of the usual image of the country with rich, old history, wonderful nature and incredible people we are more often associated with the country in fire. The rotaractors have got an idea to remind of the peaceful Ukraine.

Calendar «Ukraine 2015» is a joint project of 9 Rotaract clubs

in Ukraine: Rotaract Club Ivano-Frankivsk, Rotaract Club Kyiv Multinational, Rotaract Club Kiev-City, Rotaract Club Kyiv-Centre, Rotaract Club Lviv, Rotaract Club Poltava, Rotaract Club Rivne, Rotaract Club Kharkiv, Rotaract Club Yalta.

For the basis were taken copyright photos from different parts of Ukraine with goal for reminding of fabulous beauty of our motherland.

Printing run – 300 issues.

Calendar – 3 lingual: Ukrainian/English/Polish.

Layout sheet of the calendar’s title page, A3 sizes.

On spring, chalk Cost: 10 EUR 1 copy This is a Tunnel of Love which is situated in Rivne region and it is a secret attraction of Ukraine. More wonderful places are to find at the Calendar - 2015 Money received from

calendars’ sale will be given for the joint project of Rotaract clubs in Ukraine – equipping orthoptic cabinet in specialized kindergarten № 16 «Rushnychok» (specialized, compensating for mentally retarded children and children with visual impairment) located in Sloviansk, Donezk region. Institution was established in 1972.

Here are 64 children.

Among them 20 handicapped, 4 orphans, children from large and dysfunctional families.

Aim of the project: gifting health for children and giving an opportunity to enjoy the colors of the world around us. Due to statistics of the World Health Organization about 20% of pre-schoolers and each fourth pupil have got eyesight problems that may lead to partly or full loss of eyesight.

Most cases can be prevented in case of starting specific sessions with children.

We invite you to join our project. Buy a calendar - help us to help others.

Fill in the form and we will send you Your Lucky Calendar from Ukraine with special wishes from Rotaract Ukraine Kind Regards, Country Representative, Ukraine: Anastasia Sleptsova anastasia.sleptsova@ gmail.com +380976540178

RAC Odessa Project coordinator: Olga Kosovych olechkakosovych@ gmail.com +38 066 917 04 70 RAC IvanoFrankivsk

· Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 49

INTERVIEWS WITH CLOÉ BERNIER “POST REM BREMEN” with Friederike Schlüter

Friederike Schlüter Rotaract Club Bremen, Germany Host Organizing Committee of Rotaract Europe Meeting (REM) 2014 Bremen

Friederike! Rotaract Europe Meeting as the REMs centerMeeting Bremen took place piece. All in all I feel we’ve man2 months ago… How are you aged to achieve that. feeling?

Strange – but in a good way.

During very stressful phases I was looking forward to that quiet “normal” time after bREMen. But – to be honest – I don’t really like this quietness, so new projects are in the pipeline.

Before it started, what did you expect from the REM? What did go your way and what did not go according to the plan?

Well, we planned the REM in our heads, started to organize and while planning we constantly adjusted our plans as new ideas came up… We had always three main goals: prepare an affordable event (e.g. no extra fees for parties, cheap drinks), introduce our beautiful city in as many ways as possible and promote the E.R.I.C.

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What are your best memories from REM Bremen?

The last hours of the Gala ball: we were listening to our favorite songs, singing along, dancing, enjoying the feeling that we did it and hoping that our Rotaract

friends liked it! Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t enjoy that everyone left at all!

When we had the idea to organize the REM, we thought of those cool weekends with all our international friends and friends-to-be.

But in reality as main organizers we had hardly any free minute to actually talk to our guests and friends.

INTERVIEWS WITH CLOÉ BERNIER

What did you learn from REM Bremen?

Delegating. I learned that you just can’t do everything yourself and that you need to delegate.

In the beginning, that was really hard. I had to learn to find a balance between trusting the people to do their tasks and at the same time checking on them without controlling them. As well I had to learn that sometimes they did a task differently than I would have done it – not better or worse, just differently. the E.R.I.C.! It also started – not What did REM Bremen only in our club, but also with Rotary Clubs in our surroundchange in your club? ing – some critical discussions The REM definitely strength- on Rotaract values and expectened the group feeling in our ed Rotaract behavior, after we club and showed us what we had to manage some unpleascan achieve together. It intro- ant situations during REM. duced the members to Rotaract on an international basis and to

With the experience you have now, what would you say to future REM organizers and candidates?

Talk to former organizers – they’ve been there! Ask them all your questions and if you then still feel like organizing a REM, apply. During the organization you will face challenges, and most certainly former organizers faced similar challenges.

And keep a close contact to the E.R.I.C. board, they have a lot of experience with REMs and will always help!

Anything else you would like to add?

I am grateful that the Country Representatives in Riga trusted us to organize the REM and I hope that all our participants enjoyed the event as much as we liked planning it! · Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 51

INTERVIEWS WITH CLOÉ BERNIER WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A GOOD E.R.I.C. COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE with Anastasia Sleptsova and Bernhard Pribyl

Anastasia Sleptsova Rotaract Club Odessa, Ukraine In Rotaract for 3 years Position in E.R.I.C: Country Representative for the second year Age: 26 Occupation: founder of Geekslab, educational project related to small IT-entrepreneurship development, consulting Bernhard Pribyl Rotaract Club Graz, Austria In Rotaract for 4 years Position in E.R.I.C: Country Representative for the first year Age: 24 Occupation: Master studies in Energy science and technology

How did you end up in the position of E.R.I.C. Country Representative? What attracted you in that position?

Bernhard: “Ladies first!”

Anastasia: “I knew you would say that :-) Well, it happened quite unexpectedly. We were 3 candidates and Rotaract Ukraine offered me that position even though I had been involved in Rotaract for one year only. I liked the idea of the international dimension of it: getting to know people from different countries and cultures.”

B: “Stephanie, the previous Country Representative for

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Austria, is a member of my club and a very good friend. I accompanied her to international events last year and also gained a lot of Rotaract experience as Assistant District Representative. I am deeply interested in the national side of Rotaract for what it can bring of joint projects. I also like getting to know different cultures.

When I was thinking of becoming a Country Representative, I knew I would move to Zurich (Switzerland) and I figured that this position would be the perfect one to stay active in Rotaract without having to be physically in my country.”

Anastasia, you’re being Country Representative for the second year in a row, which means that you have quite some experience in the job already. What piece of advice would you give Bernhard and other new Country Representatives?

“The most important is to communicate. In every country, Rotaract is different and it’s the same for communication. You have to find a way to make it work for you and your country.

What I did was investigating to know how Ukrainian clubs were feeling about the international dimension of Rotaract.

On one hand, I could see that

INTERVIEWS WITH CLOÉ BERNIER

Anastasia Sleptsova and Bernhard Pribyl

there were always quite a lot of Ukrainian Rotaractors attending the European meetings, but on the other hand, when it came to answering my e-mails regarding collaboration for newsletters, I didn’t receive many answers. So I tried to find an alternative system. Instead of only sending newsletters to all Rotaractors in Ukraine, I looked for one person in each club that would be my contact for international affairs, an ambassador, someone who will inspire their club members to get involved.”

you so far?

“Two main things! First, when you become a Country Representative, you start working with your predecessor to know what’s going on at the European level, you learn what the potentials are. Second, having to attend the E.R.I.C. Meeting at REMs and EUCOs makes you realize that those events are not only about sightseeing and partying. By attending the meetings and workshops, you get to know the other Country Representatives, you talk about joint projects, you help each other solving problems, Bernhard, you’ve been a you open your mind to how Country Representative for Rotaract works in other couna few months only, but I’m tries…” sure you’ve learnt a lot already. Can you tell us what this position has brought What do you love the most

about being a Country Representative, and on the opposite, what is the most challenging thing you’ve encountered since you’ve been in that position?

B: “What I love the most is being in the position where I need to know what is going on in my country, dialogue with the club presidents in Austria and communicate all of this at the European level with pride. The downside would be that I find

· Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 53

INTERVIEWS WITH CLOÉ BERNIER Anastasia Sleptsova and Bernhard Pribyl

it relatively hard to communicate within the whole country, pass the information along to the presidents and have them forward it to their members.

Knowing the club presidents is not always enough as they often have lots of other information to forward and international is not on top of the list. I am currently working on an alternative solution: summarizing news from Europe and send them less often to have greater impact.”

A: “I am happy I have met so many amazing people thanks to the E.R.I.C. I can say it was my

first international experience in project management: communicating with so many people from so many different places, trying to explain the Ukrainian clubs about the E.R.I.C. The greatest challenge I’ve faced is personal development. It might sound selfish, but being a Country Representative made me move forward. I am now a member of “Global Shapers”, a community linked to the World Economic Forum and I believe working in the E.R.I.C. lead me there!”

What relation do you have with Rotaractors in your country ? How do you interact with them?

A: “In Ukraine, there are about 300 Rotaractors, clubs are quite small. Last year, I visited a lot of Rot aract events of Rotaract Ukraine, and I ended up knowing most of the Rotaractors. I also gave a workshop about REMs and EUCOs to Rotaract and Rotary in Odessa, explaining what it is and why Rotaractors should attend those events.

Now, they are thinking about it more and more.

This year, I have less time, so I am discussing with the board about organizing another workshop about E.R.I.C. for all Ukrainian Rotaractors, in my city of Odessa.

Lots of people have already told me they would like that!”

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INTERVIEWS WITH CLOÉ BERNIER

Anastasia Sleptsova and Bernhard Pribyl

just felt like I had to tell her that besides the fun, it’s also hard work and takes quite a lot of time! It’s important to know all the sides of it to do a good job!”

B: “Last year, at the district conference in Graz, I met a lot of Rotaractors and started building friendships. Since then, I’ve communicated mostly by email and over the phone. Then, I noticed than at the European Convention in Nice, there were more Austrians than ever, which makes me think that information circulates better, people become more outgoing and want to get to know Rotaractors around Europe.

And now that Anastasia has mentioned this country workshop about E.R.I.C., I think I should organize this kind of seminar as well. I thought I would do it just for my club, but

why not doing it at a wider level?”

B: “I would tell this person: “come with me to an international event and I’ll show you why it’s good” and let them dive into the international community of Rotaract. I like showing things to people, let them realize why it’s a good thing by bringing them to the conference, instead of just talking about it.”

What are your plans in the E.R.I.C. for the future?

What would you say a Country Representative should B: “I can see myself in the have to be a GOOD one ?

E.R.I.C. board in the future, because getting involved in the B: “Being outgoing! Being pas- E.R.I.C. gives you more possionate by how things work in sibilities to keep Rotaractors other countries and wanting to updated about what is going on find different methods to help in Europe and assist them in others and improving what we working together. Plus, it would do.” also be great for my personal development!”

A: “I totally agree with Bernhard! A Country Representative A: “I’m not quite sure yet, but I should have a deep interest in could see myself in the E.R.I.C. international communication, Marketing Team!” should want to inspire other people and visit the main European events.”

Anything else you would like to add?

What would you tell someone B: “Thanks for giving a voice to to convince them to become new Country Representatives a Country Representative? in the magazine! Thanks for listening to our ideas even though A: “It seems that I’ve already we have not been in the “busiconvinced someone, actually. I ness” for so long! · Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 55

MED MDIO INTRODUCING THE MED MDIO

Title

Tools of the Organization

This multi-district information organization is called ‘Rotaract Mediterranean Multidistrict Information Organization (Med MDIO)’.

They are: - organizing international meetings and events - creating and updating the MED MDIO Website - distributing the MED MDIO Newsletter on a semi-annual basis - compiling a directory including the addresses of the Rotaract clubs of the participating districts - providing a Mediterranean event calendar

Rotary Districts around the Mediterranean Sea Rotaract clubs and districts located around the Mediterranean form diverse and culturally rich communities out of which the leaders of this MED MDIO have come with the idea to enhance communication, information dissemination and assist participating districts to work together.

For now the Med MDIO is composed by 20 Districts in almost 20 countries.

Mediterranean Convention (MEDICON) It is a three-to-five-day event held preferably in late spring or early fall of each year.

The agenda of the event shall include a full day for the convention and workshops as well as half a day for the Med MDIO Executive Board meetings.

It is preferred that the MEDICON be organized in a different country every year with a rotating criteria in order to give the possibility for each country to organize this important international event

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Organizational Structure It consists of the executive board and the country representatives.

Mediterranean Board Convention (MBC) It is a three-day event held preferably in autumn of each year.

The agenda of the event shall include a full day for the Med MDIO executive board meetings.

This meeting is useful for it enables the Country Representatives to meet each other physically and to define together the headlines of the Med MDIO year.

It is preferred that the MBC be organized in a different country every year like for the MEDICON.

MED MDIO

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Best European Service Project & Twin Club Award Want to promote your club’s projects?

Want to be part of some healthy competition?

Here is your chance!

Apply for BESP & TCA! More details: http://rotaracteurope.org/get-involved/applyfor-besp-or-tca/ Applications start in January Stay tuned!

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FUTURE ROTARACT EVENTS rotaracteurope.org/upcoming-events/ Februaruy 2015

2015 AUSTRALIAN ROTARACT GAMES January 31th - Februaruy 1st, 2015 Botanic Park Adelaide South Australia Australia

TRIP A.I.R.A.U.P. Cost: USD 250 San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca Provincia de Catamarca, Argentina

INTERNATIONAL WEEKEND / 20th CHARTER-PARTY! February 21st, 2015, 19:00h Vienna (Austria) RAC Wien-Stadtpark

March 2015 2nd Rotaract District 2451 Conference March 12th, 2015 Dubai City, South Sinai, Egypt

· Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 59

FUTURE ROTARACT EVENTS rotaracteurope.org/upcoming-events/

INTERNATIONAL SKI WEEK March 7th - 14, 2015 Depending on package Saas Fee Switzerland Rotaract Switzerland

GERMAN CONFERENCE (DEUKO) 2015 Cost: 80 March 27th - 29th, 2015 Kongress am Park Gögginger Straße 10, 86159 Augsburg Germany

MEXICO LANGUAGE TRIP 2015 Cost: 379 EUR March 29th, 2015 – April 9th, 2015 Centro Cultural Luis Nishizawa Mexico City Mexico

April 2015

RYLA 2015 ISTANBUL Cost: 60 EUR April 16th - 19th, 2015 Istambul Turkey

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FUTURE ROTARACT EVENTS rotaracteurope.org/upcoming-events/

May 2015

EUCO 2015 BUCHAREST ROTARACT EUROPE CONFERENCE April 29th - May 3rd, 2015 Bucharest, Romania

EXPEDITION GERMANY All over Germany May 5th 18th, 2015 Cost: 299 Germany

ARIZONA TRIP 2015 (USA) May 14 - 24th, 2015 Tempe, Arizona

ROTARACT BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL WEEKEND PART III May 15th - 17th, 2015 Boulevard Adolphe Max 1000 Brussels Belgium

· Winter 2014 - 15 · ERIC MAGAZINE · 61

FUTURE ROTARACT EVENTS rotaracteurope.org/upcoming-events/ June 2015 ROTARACT PRECONVENTION 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

RYLA NORTH AMERICA CONFERENCE 2015 Cost: USD 400 21st - 26th July 2015 AGE of delegates: 18 to 30 years old Washington, DC, USA

August 2015

12th ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL ROTARACT CONFERENCE (APRRC) 2015 INDONESIA August 8th, 2015 Indonesia

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