The early days of Rotaract in Great Britain and Ireland

From: Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland by Roger Levy
Published by Continua Productions Ltd in 1978

Excerpt from pages 225-226 , Chapter 12 1956-1967

Rotaract"" provided for an age group of eighteen to twenty-eight. Originally intended for young men only, it was later opened to young women also, and while there were some who felt that the age range was not entirely satisfactory in that it might prove too wide, the Clubs surged ahead in the mid-1970’s, owing much to the enthusiasm of Rotarian E. C. Cotton, President of R.I.B.I. in 1975-6. Like "Interact", the "Rotaract" Club was, by constitution, to be sponsored and counselled by a Rotary Club (and the "Rotaract" members have shown occasional impatience with this necessity for a continuing and close link with Rotary).

The purpose of "Rotaract", as officially stated, is closely in line with the Object of Rotary in all its aspects, and the success of the "Rotaract" project throughout the world varies with the extent to which this new organisation for the rising generation fills a need, and can be something more than yet another body to which young men and women can belong. Certainly its non-party-political and non-sectarian basis made a strong appeal, and its members have patently enjoyed the opportunity for friendship and service which "Rotaract" provides. Its permanent value, like that of "Interact", will be assured in terms of its continuity after the departure of the first waves of members (since retirement from the Club at the age of twenty-eight is obligatory).

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Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland by Roger Levy, Published by Continua Productions Ltd in 1978, Excerpt from pages 225-226 , Chapter 12 1956-1967