{{Short description|Youth organization of Rotary International}} {{Multiple issues| {{Notability|Companies|date=August 2020}} {{Third-party|date=August 2020}} {{More citations needed|date=January 2025}} }} {{Infobox organization | name = Rotaract | image = | image_border = | image_size = 250px | caption = | formation = March 13, 1968 | region_served = Worldwide | origins = Rotary International | focus = Service | headquarters = Evanston, Illinois, U.S. | location = Global | num_members = ~120,000 | leader_title = | leader_name = | key_people = | num_staff = | budget = | website = [https://www.rotary.org/rotaract rotary.org/rotaract] }}
'''Rotaract''' originally began as a Rotary International youth program in 1968<ref>{{cite web |title=Rotaract History |url=https://www.rghfhome.org/first100/library/organizations/youth/rotaract/rotaractHISTORY.htm |website=Rotary Global History Fellowship |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227181439/https://www.rghfhome.org/first100/library/organizations/youth/rotaract/rotaractHISTORY.htm |archive-date=December 27, 2018 |url-status=unfit |access-date=February 7, 2017}}</ref> at [http://www.CharlotteNorthRotaryClub.org Charlotte North Rotary Club] in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, and has grown into a major organization of ~9,000 clubs and nearly 120,000 members in 189 countries and geographic areas.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rotaract Clubs Worldwide |url=https://www.rotary.org/get-involved/rotaract-clubs#page-content |access-date=28 October 2024 |publisher=Rotary international}}</ref> It is a service, leadership, professional, and community service organization (often miscommunicated as a Social Service Club) for young adults aged 18 and over.
Rotaract focuses on young adults' development as leaders in their communities and workplaces. Clubs also take part in international service projects, in a global effort to bring peace and international understanding to the world.
"Rotaract" stands for "Rotary in Action", although the name originally comes from a combination of "Rotary" and "Interact" (International + Action), the high-school level program Rotary International created in 1962.
Most Rotaract activities take place at the club level. Rotaract clubs hold formal meetings in person or virtually, usually every two weeks, that feature speakers, special outings, social activities, discussions or visits to other clubs. Club members get together on designated days for service project work, social events, or professional/leadership development workshops.
To be eligible for membership, you must be 18 years of age and show that you are committed to Rotaract and of good standing in your community. After being approved by the club, members are inducted into Rotaract.
Avenues of service include Club Service, Community Service, International Service and Professional Development.
In 2019, Rotaract went from being a program of Rotary International to being a membership type of Rotary International, elevating its status to resemble that of Rotary clubs. As of 1 July 2020, Rotaract clubs can exist on their own or be sponsored by Rotary and/or Rotaract clubs. This makes them true "partners in service" and key members of the Rotary family.<ref>{{cite web |title=Recent Rotaract policy updates |url=https://my.rotary.org/recent-rotaract-policy-updates |website=My Rotary |publisher=Rotary International |access-date=20 September 2020 |date=November 2019}}</ref> A Rotaract club may, but is not required to, establish upper age limits if its members so desire and record it in the club's bylaws.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rotary Code of Policies |url=https://my.rotary.org/document/rotary-code-policies |website=My Rotary |publisher=Rotary International}}</ref>
==Multidistrict communication and MDIOs== thumb|Rotaract Club de Beyrouth members during the Gala Dinner of the 6th Rotaract District 2452 conference. Rotaract multidistrict information organizations (MDIOs) function as regional resource centers for Rotaractors. They comprise Rotaract clubs in two or more districts either within a country or across several countries.
Rotaract MDIOs are directly responsible for getting Rotaractors ready to be leaders, and they keep everyone up to date on program news, local and international news, and event news. They also help bring together people from different clubs and districts in a certain area.
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.rotary.org}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20180330234953/http://www.rotaractorwiki.org/wiki/Main_Page Rotary Wiki], an unofficial wiki project for Rotaractors by Rotaractors.
Category:Rotary International Category:Youth organizations established in 1968 Category:Youth organizations based in the United States Category:Organizations based in Illinois