Rotaract clubs are part of a global effort to bring peace and international understanding to the world. We are a non-religious, apolitical, non-profit organisation which is involved in local and international community service. Our membership is open to all people between the ages of 18 and 30 years old; whether you study at Macquarie University or just live locally, you are welcome.

Rotaract is short for for "Rotary in Action" and is supported by Rotary International; initially beginning as a Rotary youth programme in 1968 but eventually becoming an independent group.  Now, Rotaract is an international organisation with over 7000 clubs worldwide and well over 173 000 members. Clubs like our own plan and implement a host of humanitarian and environmental projects locally and internationally based on the interest of members.

Apart from community service, we also aim to assist our members with networking, business and leadership to form well-rounded and well-connected individuals for the working world. The Rotaract Club of Macquarie University (Rotaract MQ) meets fortnightly on Wednesday evenings at 6.45pm during semester. Please check the right panel for details of our next meeting.

Rotaract's Goals:

• To develop the professional and leadership skills of its members. 
• To emphasise and respect the rights of others, based on recognition of the worth of each individual.
• To recognise the dignity and value of all occupations as opportunities to serve.
• To recognise, practice, and promote ethical standards as leadership qualities and vocational responsibilities.
• To develop knowledge and understanding of the needs, problems and opportunities in the community and worldwide.
• To provide opportunities for personal and group activities to serve the community and promote international understanding and goodwill toward all people.

Our Club's Aims:

Professional Development:

We aim to expand our members' understanding of the work environment and business opportunities in the community. Furthermore, we understand volunteer work's importance and its relevance to the work place in its development of qualities such as communication, compromise and the understanding of other parties.

Examples of activities which are provided by Rotaract and Rotary for professional development are: 

• Business networking mixers where Rotaractors are able to meet professionals in an informal setting and learn from their experience. 
• Seminars on management and marketing. 
• Leadership development courses such as RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards). 
• Guest speakers on a variety of topics such as finance and resume writing. 
• Improving public speaking skills with seminars and opportunity to speak to other clubs. 

Community Service: 

The Rotaract motto is "Service above Self". Our main goal is to improve the world around us through service. Depending on the interests of our members, our community projects can be quite diverse. Such community based service projects may include:

• Educational projects such as tutoring programmes or mentoring.
• Supporting disadvantaged or disabled people.
• Addressing homelessness in the community.
• Environmental projects such as "Clean Up Australia Day" or restoring vegetation.
• Supporting and fundraising for existing charity groups.

International Service:

Aside from local community service, Rotaract aims to assist those in need on an international level. Projects in this area may be held in partnership with Rotary Clubs and are often humanitarian based projects. International service projects may include:

• Providing assistance after a natural disaster.
• Addressing poverty in developing nations.
• Increasing literacy rates around the world.
• Ensuring all people have basic human rights.
• Environmental projects such as supporting a sustainable lifestyle.

Recently, members from our club volunteered in a children's home in Thailand - a shelter for children otherwise not cared for. Aside from donations, our club supported the home by tutoring in English, repainting their facilities and planting crops. We plan to further support this cause in the very near future.

Club/Social Service:

Finally, we believe that aside from giving to the community we must also be able to enjoy ourselves. Part of what our club aims to achieve is for members to gain lifelong friendships and genuinely have a good time. A wide variety of social events are held throughout the year to promote a social environment for our members, not to mention inter-club events which ensure strong ties are made between Rotaract clubs.

Costume parties, movie nights, picnics and soccer tournaments as all events we've enjoyed before, and plan to hold again - sooner rather than later.