Parys Rotary Club recently, for the first time ever, had the honour of receiving a Gold Presidential Citation by Rotary International (RI) President K.R. Ravindran. Only 3 Clubs were awarded gold among the 96 clubs in the District.
This prestigious citation is given to clubs who have achieved certain tasks during the Rotary Year.
Amongst other things the Rotary Club of Parys had to do were:
1. Increase membership and diversity of the club. Parys’ membership increased every year for the past 3 years and more than 50% of members are women.
2. Sponsor an Interact Club. An Interact Club has recently been formed at Weiveld Hotel and Agricultural School.
3. Undertake a community project using a grant from The Rotary Foundation (TRF). Parys received a donation of over R7 000 from TRF and added R5 000 of their own club funds. The money was used to buy blankets that have been distributed locally. The Interact students also collected clothing and helped with the distribution of both blankets and clothing at the Chris van Niekerk School in Vredefort.
RI encourages the leaders of tomorrow through various youth activities including the successful annual Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp held locally at Life Adventures on the Vaal Eden Road.
Interact is a club for young people ages 12-18 who want to join together to tackle the issues in their community that they care most about. Through Interact, they can carry out hands-on service projects, make international connections and develop leadership skills and have fun.
The mission of the Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, support of education, and alleviation of property.
It is a fund administered from RI headquarters in Chicago and is currently valued at nearly US$1 billion.
RI’s main worldwide project funded by TRF is the eradication of polio, now only endemix in 2 countries namely Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Through their districts, individual Rotary Clubs can apply for funds for local projects. Currently there are 1,2 million Rotarians in 35 000 clubs worldwide.
More information on Rotary and any of their activities can be obtained by contacting the Club Secretary on secretary.rotaryparys@gmail.com
