WHEREDOWE WHEREDOWE STAND STAND Newsletter's Special Newsletter's Special
**Yerewine" Yerewine"
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CASE STUDY ABOUT THE CASE STUDY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF FUTURE OF VOLUNTEERING & VOLUNTEERING & COMMUNITY COMMUNITY SERVICE SERVICE FORM? FORM?
M A R C H E D I T I O N
Volunteering and Community service have Volunteering and Community service have always played an essential role in society. always played an essential role in society. Individuals give their time and skills to support a Individuals give their time and skills to support a cause or a community. cause or a community.
However, as the world changes, so do the However, as the world changes, so do the needs of society, and volunteering and needs of society, and volunteering and community service are no exception. community service are no exception.
In this case study, we will examine the future of In this case study, we will examine the future of volunteering and community service and how it volunteering and community service and how it may evolve in the coming years, in the may evolve in the coming years, in the metaverse and in the synergetic movement with metaverse and in the synergetic movement with the Digital Technology. the Digital Technology.
M A R C H E D I T I O N
“TRAVELING – IT LEAVES “TRAVELING – IT LEAVES YOU SPEECHLESS, THEN YOU SPEECHLESS, THEN TURNS YOU INTO A TURNS YOU INTO A STORYTELLER.” STORYTELLER.”
IBN BATTUTA IBN BATTUTA
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*QUOTE CHOICE/ ROTARACT CLUB OF YEREVAN
YOUTH SERVICE MONTH
May is Rotary’s Youth Service Month! Throughout the month, Rotarians, Rotaractors, and younger members of the Rotary family, including Interactors and RYLA and Rotary Youth Exchange participants, celebrate the service, leadership development, connections, and FUN of Rotary’s programs for young leaders. Every year, over 350,000 young leaders participate in Rotary’s youth programs across Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and Rotary Youth Exchange. Rotary’s Youth Service Month is an opportunity to promote our young leaders’ local and global impacts and the Rotary and Rotaract clubs that make these programs possible.
attendedhaveyouan Interact meetingyet?
Start your service-learning journey. Rotary’s approach to youth service, service-learning, is youth-led, hones life skills, and has a lasting impact on communities. Interactive courses and downloadable workbooks are available in Rotary’s Learning Center for adult advisers and youth participants ages 16 and older.
Follow along for youth-centered stories.
Read the Rotary magazine feature about Interact’s 60th anniversary, subscribe to the Young Leaders in Action newsletter, visit Rotary’s blogs Service in Action and Rotary Voices each week, and follow Rotary’s social media channels to hear directly from youth participants about their Rotary experiences!
Share how you’re celebrating Rotary’s Youth Service Month on social media with #RotaryYouthService.
MAY
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M A Y E D I T I O N
EXPLORE ROTARY RESOURCES
Rotary Voices, the esteemed blog of Rotary International, extends an invitation to its members, collaborators, and program participants to share personal anecdotes and stories that illuminate how they are proactively effecting positive change in the world, local communities, and within themselves as people of action.
Our collective diversity in professions, cultures, and nationalities lends us a distinctive viewpoint. It’s our unwavering enthusiasm for service that unites us and empowers us to achieve extraordinary feats.
Through these narratives, we endeavor to shed light on the incredible ways in which we are making a difference in the world, one community service project at a time.
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M A Y E D I T I O N
2.0
ACCELERATE,IMAGINE, DIGITALIZE
ThispastMay,ourRotaractdistrictdoveheadfirstintotheintriguingrealmofArtificial Intelligence(AI)duringthemuch-anticipatedDistrictSummit2.0.Expertlycuratedbyour ProfessionalDevelopmentDistrictOfficer,MaryseNassif,andherindustriousteam,this seriesofenlighteningwebinarswasdevotedtotheexplorationandunderstandingofAI anditsroleinthemodernworld.
Theguidingtheme,"Exploringthepotentialoftechnology,"invitedustobroadenour horizonsandventureintotheuntappedpotentialofAI.Eachsessionintheseriesservedas awaypointinourcollectivejourneytowardsunderstandingandembracingdigital innovationwithinRotaract.
DISTRICT
Exploration
The webinars, each helmed by a leading expert, spanned a widerangeofAIfacets:
20thMay: "IntroductiontoAI" withLaraWehbefromBeirutAI Allyouneededtoknowaboutthebasics.
23rdMay:AIToolsandHacks
Ahmad Fatfat steered us through the labyrinth of AI, showcasing various tools and hacks, offering us the keys to unlockthemysteriesofthisadvancedtechnology.
25thMay:TheFutureofWorkwithChatGPT
In a stimulating collaboration with Rotary Lebanon International,RudyShoushanyofferedusapeekintothefuture of work through the lens of the AI model, ChatGPT. His session prompted us to consider how AI is reshaping our professional landscapes.
30thMay:Cybersecurity
In our final session, Roland Abi Najem guided us through the critical realm of cybersecurity, equipping us with essential knowledge to navigate the digital world securely and responsibly.
ExploringtheDigitalFrontier: DistrictSummit2.0'sAI
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PROJECT OF THE MONTH!
MAY 2023 MAY 2023
ROTARACT DE BEYROUTH MILLENIUM ROTARACT DE BEYROUTH
The denim tote, a collaboration between our Rotaract Club
The denim tote, a collaboration between our Rotaract Club De Beyrouth Millenium and Fabric Aid, an organization that De Beyrouth Millenium and Fabric Aid, an organization that seeks to create a more sustainable fashion industry by seeks to create a more sustainable fashion industry by upcycling and evolving its sustainable retail brands. Souk L upcycling and evolving its sustainable retail brands. Souk L Khlanj by FabricAid is a unique retail brand that provides a Khlanj by FabricAid is a unique retail brand that provides a dignified shopping experience and empowers marginalized dignified shopping experience and empowers marginalized communities through the sale of second-hand clothing at communities through the sale of second-hand clothing at micro-prices. In support of FabricAid’s social impact and micro-prices. In support of FabricAid’s social impact and environmentally friendly initiatives, our club has designed a environmentally friendly initiatives, our club has designed a beautiful and trendy upcycled denim tote bag, crafted by beautiful and trendy upcycled denim tote bag, crafted by tailors at FabricAid, to raise funds for clothes vouchers for tailors at FabricAid, to raise funds for clothes vouchers for marginalised communites, in order for them to have the marginalised communites, in order for them to have the shopping experience at Souk L Khlanj. shopping experience at Souk L Khlanj.
Here is how our project was executed: Here is how our project was executed: Phase 1: Clothing collection through our community (More Phase 1: Clothing collection through our community (More than 60 bags full of clothes) to give to fabric aid where than 60 bags full of clothes) to give to fabric aid where they will use them for the upcycling they will use them for the upcycling
Phase 2: Denim tote bag production and selling through our Phase 2: Denim tote bag production and selling through our website website
Phase 3: Clothing voucher to give to marginalised Phase 3: Clothing voucher to give to marginalised community to shop at 'Souk L Khlanj' community to shop at 'Souk L Khlanj'
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Our project has four clear goals:
Sustainable Fashion Advocacy: We worked to raise community awareness on fast fashion's environmental toll and championed sustainable practices, such as upcycling and recycling through FabricAid, in response to Lebanon's pressing textile waste issue. Support for Local Tailors: We sought to strengthen local tailors, particularly the financially underprivileged, by providing employment opportunities in crafting upcycled denim tote bags, thus spurring economic progress and fair trade.
Dignified Shopping for Marginalized Communities: We aimed to empower marginalized communities by offering clothes vouchers for Souk L Khlanj, granting them the dignity and autonomy in choosing their clothing.
Community Engagement
Encouragement: We encouraged community involvement in upcycling and recycling by providing an avenue to actively contribute to a meaningful cause.
Given Lebanon's environmental and social challenges, including a waste management crisis and elevated unemployment, projects such as our upcycled denim tote bag initiative were of paramount significance.
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PROJECT OF THE MONTH!
MAY 2023 MAY 2023
ROTARACT BEIRUT CEDARS
Let’s cycle through cultures, Let’s cycle to different parts of the globe, Let’s Cycle The World!
Join Rotaract Beirut Cedars’ campaign and promote your culture while cycling and enjoying your time on a sunny day.
How is it done?
- Each club will go together in their city where their club is located, and rent bicycles
- They will cycle around their city/town and take videos and photos of that city/town.
- Each club will send the photos and videos of them cycling in their city/town, to this email layaneelkhoury.racbc@gmail.com
- Rotaract Beirut Cedars will create a video that includes the photos and videos of all clubs participating in this campaign
- This compiled video will be posted by all participating clubs on June 3, 2023 (World Bicycle Day)
This project aims to promote the culture of cycling as well as to showcase the hidden gems and unique cultures around the globe.
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PROJECT OF THE MONTH!
MAY 2023 MAY 2023
ROTARACT
USJ
in collab with ROTARACT SAHEL METN
An amazing session by Rotaract Club de Beyrouth USJ, in collaboration with Rotaract Club of Sahel Metn and MARSA, was held on May 24th, 2023. 3 speakers from MARSA: José Kmaid, Lena Mhanna and Fatima Khalil talked and explained all about the essential topics of STD awareness, navigating intimacy and establishing boundaries.
Establishing Boundaries: Your Right, Your Responsibility
Creating clear boundaries is a crucial aspect of any relationship, especially when it comes to intimacy. Here are some key steps to establish boundaries: 1
Self-reflection: Understand your comfort zones What are you okay with, and what makes you uncomfortable?
Communication: Once you understand your boundaries, communicate them clearly with your partner. Honesty and openness are key.
Respect: Your boundaries deserve respect, as do those of your partner. Any boundary-crossing can lead to discomfort and harm.
Consistency: Boundaries need to be consistent If something makes you uncomfortable once, it's likely to do so again. Make sure your partner understands this.
Empowerment: Establishing boundaries is empowering. It means taking control of your life and your body. You have the right to do so, and nobody should tell you otherwise.
Navigating the complex world of intimacy and relationships is challenging but essential Stay informed about STDs, understand the nature of true intimacy, and never hesitate to establish and enforce your boundaries. Remember, a healthy relationship respects both partners' rights, feelings, and comfort levels.
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PROJECT OF THE MONTH!
MAY 2023 MAY 2023
ROTARACT MUHARRAQ - BAHRAIN
Under the banner of the Rotary Youth Service Month, the Rotaract Club of Muharraq, partnered with INJAZ Bahrain to host its first event, the Innovation Camp, on Sunday 21st May. The ICamp was a four-hour ideathon that focused on FinTech. The participants were split into teams which were mentored by experts in the field. The teams were guided into coming up with a business idea, writing a simplified business report, and pitching it to a panel of judges.
The Rotaract Club of Muharraq thanks everyone who made this event possible, including Zain Bahrain who kindly provided the venue and their sponsor club, the Rotary Club of Salmaniya.
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PROJECT OF THE MONTH!
MAY 2023 MAY 2023
ROTARACT CLUB ALEY
A heartwarming visit to ﺪﻴﻌﺴﻟاﻞﻔﻃ ! ❤✨ This community service had our hearts!
We spent a day filled with joy and love. We played exciting games, danced hand in hand, and shared smiles that lit up the room
As a token of our support, we gifted the center 4 tablets to empower their potential and provide them with the tools to thrive
We are always on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our people, and this joint effort between Interact Club of Aley and us is a testament to that commitment. Together, we can create a brighter future for these children, full of opportunities and possibilities.
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DUAL MEMBERSHIP
In December 2014, I joined my first activity with the Rotaract club of Sahel Metn; and since then, I fell in love with our organization and in no time it became a major part of my life. My involvement grew fast and made me highly involved on a District level. Throughout the past 5 years I have had the chance to work closely on projects with excellent Rotary leaders in Lebanon & beyond. Despite my involvement and strong personal connections with Rotarians, I was still enjoying the Rotaract experience and not ready to leave. Then when Elevate Rotaract happened, the possibility of dual membership was more and more highlighted; It was a great opportunity! I could finally be part of a Rotary club without leaving Rotaract. Dual membership allows individuals to be members of a Rotary and a Rotaract club simultaneously. This became possible after 2016 and became more known in 2019 when Rotary International removed the upper age limit of 30 for Rotaract. The benefits of dual membership include:
1. Expanded Networking: broader network of both young professionals and experienced individuals.
2. More Service Opportunities: Wider range of community service projects.
3. Enhanced Leadership Development & Knowledge Sharing.
4. Smooth Transition.
5. Diverse Perspectives: In thinking and approaches to problem-solving. Dual membership is beneficial for personal growth and community impact but requires a commitment to actively contribute to both clubs. For all of you who feel ready to start your journey in a Rotary club, this is th b t t t !
byHalaGhossoub M A Y E D I T I O N
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Yerevan Yerevan Yerevan Wine Days Wine Days Wine Days
GetreadytouncorkanunforgettableadventurethattookplaceinthevibrantcityofYerevan, organizedbytheextraordinaryRotaractClubYerevan.
TheeventwasdesignedtocelebratethecaptivatingcultureofArmenianwinemaking,aptly named"Yerewine".Thefestivalwasaperfectblendoftradition,gastronomy,history,andofcourse, plentyofexcellentwine.
M A Y E D I T I O N
ReadmoreaboutitinthenextEditionoftheACCELLERATOR
Stay tuned for the next edition on the International Mediterranean Weekend in Lebanon, a vivid convergence of cultures and celebration of achievement with the Rotaract District Awards and Med Awards
JUNE 2023 Fellowship Month
What your club can do in this month?
1. Organize a year review of your clubs projects and achievements of the year
2. Prepare for your handover
3. Organize a national gathering
4. Organize a PD for the future of Dual membership
5. Join a discussion group of existing Rotary Fellowships or action groupshttps://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/morefellowships
6. Travel and explore meetings at other countries
Important Rotary and International dates:
5 June — World Environment Day.
30 June — Rotary Citation for Rotary Clubs Award nominations are due
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M A Y E D I T I O N
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for reading our May edition of the District Newsletter Let us know how we did and send us your feedback and suggestions on rotaractd2452@gmail.com
