He was the past treasurer of our club and everybody agrees that there wasn’t a better person than him to handle that position. With his great mind and remarkable financial management skills, he made sure that every project chair doesn’t have to ask twice for the needed funds and all the financial statements balance to the last cent. So, his Journey Through Rotaract is a story that we should indeed hear and learn from.
What made you join Rotaract?
To be really honest, it was never a well-thought-out decision. I just simply wanted to have a good time with my friends.
How did Rotaract influence you to become the person you are today?
Rotaract has most definitely changed the way I look at life now. During the past three years in Rotaract, I came across many of our very own people who go through numerous struggles in their daily lives; from street children in Colombo to families devastated by war in Jaffna. This has made me realize the responsibility that we carry in helping out others as the better off in the society and in the meantime, to be more appreciative and thankful for the things that we have got in our lives.
What areas of your position did you find most challenging?Balancing the balance sheet of course! and no I’m not kidding. This was certainly the most challenging task given the daunting number of projects that we completed last year. Being a treasurer requires you to keep tabs on everything that is going on in the club, so in instances where we sometimes had three or four projects going on at a time, it was indeed tough to keep a track of the money and most importantly to prioritize payments across projects.
What changes can a Rotaractor make in the society compared to an ordinary person?
I’m sure we all have come across situations in our lives where we’ve wanted to help someone out, but not having either resources or sometimes just simply not knowing how to. With Rotaract you can make such things happen; Rotaract gives you a platform and a voice to do things that you couldn’t have done alone.
What is your most memorable or treasured experience being a Rotaractor?
I would say it’s the people themselves. Through my journey as a Rotaractor, I was able to meet and work with a set of wonderful people both within and outside of the club.
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| World Downs Syndrome Day Celebrations Sri Lanka 2015 ( Image Source – Nipuna Ratnayake) |
Is there something you wish you had done differently?
I would have loved to get more actively involved in projects. Especially in the last year, with the additional responsibilities of being the treasurer, I couldn’t really get involved in projects as much as I would have wanted to compare to previous years. Moreover, I am most certainly ashamed by the fact that after being in Rotaract for over three years not being able to chair a project by myself.
What do you think about the position of the club as at now?
It has been a treat to watch how the club has grown from its modest beginnings to where it stands right now, with a membership of 100 plus. However, growth brings its own challenges; while the club continues to pursue its’ goals, it is equally important to give every member an equal opportunity to get the most of it. For it should not be the number of members that we attracted that we should boast about, it is the number we retained.
What were some of the biggest lessons that have impacted the way that you work?
Rotaract has made me realize how important it is to work together as a team to achieve bigger things and most importantly how to set aside personal differences and to work towards a common goal.
What advice would you give the new members to make the most of being a Rotaractor?
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| A Future For us |
Just ask yourself why you are here. It might not necessarily be at the top of your mind to serve the community, and that’s okay. You might just want to have a good time with your friends or to pamper kids whenever KDF comes around or maybe you’re just here for the selfies or probably on a quest to find the love of your life; whatever the reason may be, make sure you discover yours and be passionate about it.
What do you feel about your journey as a Rotaractor?
Rotaract has indeed given me something beautiful to cherish upon; lots of memories and a bunch of lovely people whom I could always consider my close friends. I am definitely proud of what we have achieved as a club over the past years and will always be a lifetime alumni, a fan and a friend of Rotaract.
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| Rotaract District Assembly 2015 ( Image Source Official Media Arm of Rotaract District 32200 |
