The District Youth Service Seminar organized by the Rotary Club of Colombo Regency in partnership with the Rotary International District 3220 Sri Lanka & Maldives, took place on the 19th of September 2015 at the Sri Lankan Institute of Development & Administration. On behalf of our club Rtr. Praveen Fernando, Rtr. Ruvindi de Silva and Rtr. Hiruni Perera attended the seminar.
The main objective of this seminar was to bridge down the gap between fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors, paving way to working collaboratively in taking the District 3220 to even bigger heights. It also provided Rotaractors and Interactors a platform to voice the current challenges and issued faced by them in the smooth execution of their respective duties and responsibilities.
Following the completion of the registration process, the meeting was called to order by the District Governor Rtn. George Jesuthasan.
After the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and the national anthem, the day’s proceedings began. The gathering was warmly welcomed by Rtn. Shanaka Perera, the President of the Rotary Club of Colombo Regency. Next up, the gathering was addressed by the District Governor Rtn. George Jesuthasan, who mainly spoke of the purpose of organizing the District Youth Service Seminar. As stated by the District Governor, the fundamental purpose of organizing the seminar was to broaden the views of the Youth present at the seminar on the wide scope of opportunities that Rotary has to offer them. And also emphasis was placed by him, on the importance of reinforcing the inter-relationship between Rotary, Rotaract and Interact.
Following on, was a very prolific and not to mention, entertaining, session carried out by the first keynote speaker for the evening Mr. Arfath Saleem. Mr. Saleem, an award-winning Toastmaster, was placed amongst the top 10 speakers of the world, after having competed at the World Championships of public speaking in Las Vegas, USA.
Mr. Saleem shared with the gathering his life experiences and how one should always change one’s self before trying to change others. He also shared life stories of famous personalities and what the youth of today could learn from the related stories. The session was brought to a very reluctant end with Mr. Saleem offering the gathering a final piece of advice to, “take it easy”.
Thereafter the gathering was dispersed for fellowship and refreshments.
The latter half of the District Youth Service Seminar began with the introduction of Act Asia by Rtn. PHF Kumudu Warnakulasuriya and District Interact Representative Int. Fabian Shokman. Soon after the launch of the official teaser of Rotasia, by Rtn. Prabhu and District Rotaract Representative PHF Rtr. Sathiyeandra Tharmakulerajasingham, the floor was open up for a session of questions and answers.
Moving forward with the day’s proceedings, Mr. Ishan Jalil, the inspirational speaker for the day was introduced. Mr. Jalil was able to captivate the attention of the crowd within seconds of his speech, leaving everyone present at the audience awestruck with deep appreciation and respect for him. He spoke very passionately about how the youth of today could make an opportunity out of challenges that come their way making us all believe that a disability could absolutely be an ability or an opportunity in disguise.
Thereafter the whole gathering was divided into four groups for a breakout session, consisting of representatives of Rotary, Rotaract and Interact in each group. This provided a wonderful opportunity for everyone present at the seminar to discuss and address issues faced by them in strengthening the bonds and values of Rotary, Rotaract and Interact in working together as one family. The key areas of discussion mainly revolved around the topic of “what youth expect from Rotary”.
Currently prevailing issues and challenges such as the guidance expected from Rotary, the effectiveness of the guidance received so far, limitations of Rotary, establishing a smooth link from Interact to Rotary, were some of the areas that were discussed during the breakout session. At the end of the discussion each group was given a chance to present the concluded solutions for the issues discussed.
Following the concluding remarks delivered by the District Governor Rtn. George Jesuthasan, the days’ proceedings were brought to an end by the Youth Service Chair Rtn. Farzana Khan delivering the vote of thanks.
The Youth Service Seminar was one enlightening experience and we, the Rotaract Club of University of Colombo, Faculty of Management and Finance are indeed grateful to the Rotary Club of Colombo Regency and the Rotary International District 3220 for providing us with the opportunity of being a part of this brilliant experience.
The main objective of this seminar was to bridge down the gap between fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors, paving way to working collaboratively in taking the District 3220 to even bigger heights. It also provided Rotaractors and Interactors a platform to voice the current challenges and issued faced by them in the smooth execution of their respective duties and responsibilities.
Following the completion of the registration process, the meeting was called to order by the District Governor Rtn. George Jesuthasan.
After the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and the national anthem, the day’s proceedings began. The gathering was warmly welcomed by Rtn. Shanaka Perera, the President of the Rotary Club of Colombo Regency. Next up, the gathering was addressed by the District Governor Rtn. George Jesuthasan, who mainly spoke of the purpose of organizing the District Youth Service Seminar. As stated by the District Governor, the fundamental purpose of organizing the seminar was to broaden the views of the Youth present at the seminar on the wide scope of opportunities that Rotary has to offer them. And also emphasis was placed by him, on the importance of reinforcing the inter-relationship between Rotary, Rotaract and Interact.
Following on, was a very prolific and not to mention, entertaining, session carried out by the first keynote speaker for the evening Mr. Arfath Saleem. Mr. Saleem, an award-winning Toastmaster, was placed amongst the top 10 speakers of the world, after having competed at the World Championships of public speaking in Las Vegas, USA.
Mr. Saleem shared with the gathering his life experiences and how one should always change one’s self before trying to change others. He also shared life stories of famous personalities and what the youth of today could learn from the related stories. The session was brought to a very reluctant end with Mr. Saleem offering the gathering a final piece of advice to, “take it easy”.
Thereafter the gathering was dispersed for fellowship and refreshments.
The latter half of the District Youth Service Seminar began with the introduction of Act Asia by Rtn. PHF Kumudu Warnakulasuriya and District Interact Representative Int. Fabian Shokman. Soon after the launch of the official teaser of Rotasia, by Rtn. Prabhu and District Rotaract Representative PHF Rtr. Sathiyeandra Tharmakulerajasingham, the floor was open up for a session of questions and answers.
Moving forward with the day’s proceedings, Mr. Ishan Jalil, the inspirational speaker for the day was introduced. Mr. Jalil was able to captivate the attention of the crowd within seconds of his speech, leaving everyone present at the audience awestruck with deep appreciation and respect for him. He spoke very passionately about how the youth of today could make an opportunity out of challenges that come their way making us all believe that a disability could absolutely be an ability or an opportunity in disguise.
Thereafter the whole gathering was divided into four groups for a breakout session, consisting of representatives of Rotary, Rotaract and Interact in each group. This provided a wonderful opportunity for everyone present at the seminar to discuss and address issues faced by them in strengthening the bonds and values of Rotary, Rotaract and Interact in working together as one family. The key areas of discussion mainly revolved around the topic of “what youth expect from Rotary”.
Currently prevailing issues and challenges such as the guidance expected from Rotary, the effectiveness of the guidance received so far, limitations of Rotary, establishing a smooth link from Interact to Rotary, were some of the areas that were discussed during the breakout session. At the end of the discussion each group was given a chance to present the concluded solutions for the issues discussed.
Following the concluding remarks delivered by the District Governor Rtn. George Jesuthasan, the days’ proceedings were brought to an end by the Youth Service Chair Rtn. Farzana Khan delivering the vote of thanks.
The Youth Service Seminar was one enlightening experience and we, the Rotaract Club of University of Colombo, Faculty of Management and Finance are indeed grateful to the Rotary Club of Colombo Regency and the Rotary International District 3220 for providing us with the opportunity of being a part of this brilliant experience.
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| FMFers at the Youth Service Seminar |
Written by-
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Rtr. Hiruni Perera Co-Director – Community Service 2015/16     |
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