How do I start a new Rotaract club?
Contact your local Rotary club and discuss your ideas with the club president or club community service or youth committees. Because Rotaract clubs rely on the continued sponsorship and support of Rotary clubs, it is important for everyone to have a firm understanding of the commitment involved. Review the RI Rotaract publications with the sponsoring Rotary club.

You also may consider contacting other Rotaract clubs and their sponsoring Rotary clubs to learn what makes them successful. Rotarians also should invite Rotaractors to attend a Rotary club meeting and/or have them make a presentation during a weekly meeting.

Once the Rotary club's board has agreed to sponsor a Rotaract club, you can forge ahead with membership recruitment, meetings, and projects. Remember, the structure of a Rotaract club mirrors that of a Rotary club, so use your sponsoring Rotary club as a resource for answering your "how do we do this?" questions. They have expertise to share.

When your Rotaract club is ready, complete the Rotaract Club Organization List form so Rotary International can officially charter your club.

Why should our Rotary club sponsor a Rotaract club?
Organizing a Rotaract club is one of the most rewarding community activities a Rotary club can undertake. The Rotaract program gives Rotarians the opportunity to mentor dynamic young men and women who want to provide service in their local and global communities. Rotarians also will serve as resources for Rotaractors who will become tomorrow's parents, business professionals, and community leaders. In turn, a Rotaract club can bring new energy to a Rotary club, inspire fresh ideas for service, increase support to projects, and spread knowledge of Rotary to other sectors of the community. Rotaractors, with the experience they gain through this Rotary program, make exceptional future Rotarians.

What exactly does a Rotaract club do?
Rotaract clubs organize a variety of projects and activities, depending on the interests of the club members. However, three main areas of focus include professional development, leadership development, and service projects (both locally and internationally). Together, these areas ensure clubs have a balanced service program while providing opportunities for the personal development. It is important to remember that Rotaract, like Rotary, is diverse, and each club acquires unique qualities, depending where in the world it is established.

University-based clubs are sponsored in conjunction with a local college or university. The Rotary club should work within the school's regulations regarding student organizations and extra-curricular activities. The club may need a faculty adviser, but a Rotarian liaison also is important. If there is a Rotarian on the faculty, staff, or board of a local college, that person often makes a good adviser.

Can we sponsor a group of 14-18 year olds to become Rotaractors?
No, but you should consider sponsoring an Interact club, Rotary's program for secondary-school students.

Can two Rotary clubs sponsor one Rotaract club?
Yes, a Rotaract club can be organized and sponsored jointly by more than one Rotary club under the following conditions:

• The district governor approves the joint sponsorship in writing;
• The circumstances must be such that the organization of separate Rotaract clubs, each sponsored by a single Rotary club, would create an artificial division of what is essentially a single body of young adults in the community or university;
• A joint Rotaract committee is formed with members of each sponsoring Rotary club; and
• Each member of the Rotaract club agrees to adhere to the constitution and bylaws of the club.

Where do we find young people to join Rotaract?
Young adults aged 18-30 are everywhere. First consider finding potential Rotaractors at local community colleges, universities and technical training schools. Sons, daughters, or other family members of Rotarians, employees and interns of Rotarians, former Interactors, Youth Exchange participants, Ambassadorial Scholars, Group Study Exchange alumni, and RYLA participants also are perfect candidates. Lastly, consider the young people you know from local places of worship, community centers, and fitness clubs.

What policies does our Rotaract club need to follow?
The Rotaract Statement of Policy and Standard Rotaract Constitution and By-laws, created by the RI Board of Directors, include details on membership, club leadership and organization, fees and dues, and Rotaract activities at the district, multidistrict, and international levels. These guidelines have been adopted to give all Rotaract clubs a uniform structure. It is the responsibility of the Rotaract and sponsoring Rotary club to ensure that the policies are met. Beyond the RI policies, each Rotaract club is self-governing and self-supporting, working with the sponsoring Rotary club as needed.

After the information has been received at Rotary International, an official charter certificate will be mailed to the president of the sponsoring Rotary club. Consider planning a special ceremony or celebration to present the charter certificate to the Rotaract club.

The highlight of the Rotaract year is the annual Rotaract Preconvention Meeting, which is held prior to the RI Convention. RI staff, in conjunction with the RI Rotaract Committee, plans an exciting program, giving Rotaractors and Rotarians from around the world the opportunity to join together, share ideas and discuss issues.

Making contacts with Rotaract clubs outside of your district can begin in a variety of ways, but one place to start is by using the Worldwide Rotaract Directory, distributed each August by Rotary International. Each active, chartered Rotaract club receives a copy by mail.

To find contact information for your district Rotaract chairperson or district Rotaract representative, request a directory, or find out about Rotaract in a specific place, contact RI staff.

What is an MDIO?
An MDIO, or Multidistrict Information Organization, is a group of Rotaract districts that function as a regional administrative center. Coordinated by Rotaractors and approved by the RI Board, MDIOs disseminate information or facilitate communication between Rotaract clubs in the participating districts. Over the last 10 years, Rotaract MDIOs have been a driving force in enhancing communication and promoting Rotaract awareness and growth in many regions of the world.

How can I become a member of the RI Rotaract Committee?
Rotaractors interested in serving on the RI Rotaract Committee should have a Rotarian write to the RI president-elect recommending him or her as a worthy candidate. All committee appointments are made at the discretion of the president-elect.

Can past Rotaractors become Rotarians?
Absolutely. Rotary clubs are encouraged to view former Rotaractors as potential Rotarians and to periodically review Rotaract club membership to look for possible candidates. Also, Rotaract clubs are encouraged to develop a list of club members who may potentially fulfill a Rotary classification. Clubs also should maintain a list of past and present members, noting their particular interest in Rotary service projects. These lists should be shared with the sponsoring Rotary club.