Hi all,
Hope the new year is looking bright for you! Just in case you're looking for
something to get involved with in 2006, here's two things to get you
thinking... the first is a Scholarship opportunity, the second is a
voluntary youth group.
*1. Rotary Scholarship*
As some of you may know, a few months ago I was lucky enough to be awarded a
Rotary Scholarship. Whenever I tell people about it, their reaction is
always "How did I not hear of this before?!!"
Well, it's true, not enough people *do* hear about it. And as most of you
lovely people would be ideal candidates, that's just not right :) So here
goes...
The Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship is a phenomenal year-long €26,000
scholarship to study anything, anywhere in the world, as long as it furthers
international goodwill and will in some way contributes to global
understanding and development. There's an equal emphasis on your study
results, and the difference you make while over there - you are expected to
take on community or voluntary work, learn about your host country, and
generally be a good Ambassador for Ireland.
The group that fund it is Rotary International ( www.rotary.org ), which is
basically a global voluntary organisation that aims to find ways to serve
the community, whether that be locally or internationally. Their byword is
"Service above self", which sums it up. At the same time its a very social
organisation, so they meet up regularly, plan events and fundraisers, and
consider everyone within Rotary a friend they haven't yet met. When you go
to your host country, you'll be met there by Rotararians who help you find
accomodation, settle in, and learn about the place.
If you're interested in applying, the first place you should look is here:
http://www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/index.html
The application form contains quite a bit to think about - where you'd like
to go, why you feel you'd be an asset to Rotary, how the Scholarship will
help you achieve whatever it is you want in life... Once you've done that,
you should give me a shout and I can explain it all in more detail.
The application deadline is in June, and there are a few other steps that
need to be taken around then, but I can talk you through all that. I'll have
more information and resources online later in the year (when I get a spare
minute!). Bear in mind it is awarded a year in advance, so if you were
applying this June, you wouldn't be going abroad until *August/ September
2007*.
I can't begin to explain what an opportunity it is, I really can't. Rotary
is such a welcoming organisation, and even the application process was such
a learning experience. If you think you're interested, I'll bend over
backwards to help you out.
They only award one Scholarship annually in Ireland, so you'll need to have
a very good idea of what it's all about and why you'd make a strong
candidate. One of the ways you might like to do this is by getting involved
in Rotaract. What is Rotaract, I hear you say? Aha...!
*2. Rotaract*
Looking for something to get involved in? (Especially all you old society
hacks!)
The best way to describe Rotaract is that it's like a society for after
college! It's the Youth (18-30) branch of Rotary, and it has much the same
aims: Personal development, voluntary service, meeting new people, trying
new things... a bit like a cross between SVDP and AIESEC :)
Although there is a lot of centralised support, every Rotaract club sets its
own agenda. So one club might run a musical fundraiser, another might
organise guest speakers, or run an international project or stage a debate.
www.rotaract.org.uk/ealing is an example of one club in the UK and what they
do.
There are Rotaract clubs all around the world, but in Ireland it's only
taking off. There's one club in Dublin at the moment, but there's a
nationwide team being assembled and Rotary clubs around the country are
looking to set up Rotaract clubs.
If you think you'd like to get involved - either in a local club, or on a
nationwide level - just let me know! There's some more info here:
http://www.rotaract.org.uk
If there's anyone else you think might like to hear about the Scholarship or
Rotaract, please forward this on...
Riona
