It wasn’t another day of dressing up, not another day of colourful selfies. It wasn’t just another awards night.
The Rotaract District Assembly is one of the most significant events in the Rotaract calendar that marks the accomplishments of a memorable year. This year, it was nothing less.
Not less than 20 members of the Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business School were witness to the grand ceremonies of the 27th Rotaract District Assembly hosted by the Rotaract Clubs of Colombo Midtown, Wellawatte and University of Colombo Faculty of Arts, which took place on the 1st of July 2017 at The Blue Waters Hotel, Wadduwa.
Registrations for the Assembly began at 09.00 am, with our fellow Rotaractors from all over Sri Lanka excitedly flooding in, in large numbers. The function started off with the arrival of Chief Guest and Dignitaries, and the lighting of the oil lamp subsequently. The Assembly was called to order, and from then on, it was all about celebrating this movement we are all so familiar with, “Rotaract”.
The highlight and one of the most prominent happenings of this occasion was the collaring and appointment of Rtr. PP Anuradha Senanayake as the District Rotaract Representative, along with her District Committee for the year 2017/18. It was definitely a proud moment to watch our Past President Rtr. Aaqeel Jiffry being inducted as the District Treasurer!
Scattered around this anticipated moment were many other memorable moments for all the Clubs that were present in numbers, namely presentations, awards of appreciation for Clubs, Presidents, Secretaries, and members who were most deserving, as well as inspiring speeches by most of the prominent personalities of the Rotaract family such as District Governor Ven Dr. Bandagiriye Somawansa Thero and Immediate Past District Governor Rtn. PHF Senaka Amarasinghe. Another such speech was the address by the outgoing DRR. Rtr. PP Mohamed Husni, who unfailingly appreciated and elaborated the past year and all the success that Rotaract celebrated during his tenure.
Included in the agenda were also interactive workshops that were held separately, for incoming Presidents, Secretaries, other Executive Committee members and all Directors of the different avenues. These workshops were presided by dynamic individuals who, using their expertise, manipulated for the better how all of us perceived the different aspects of developing ourselves and our clubs for the future.
At the end of the first half of the event, we were all eager to step out to the delicious multi – cuisine buffet that awaited us. This also gave us reason to mingle with, and make friendships with our fellow Rotaractors.
The award ceremony resumed with the second session, and that brought about the audience’s favourite moments.The last few hours were particularly momentous for my club, considering the number of recognitions we were awarded this year.
The Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business School stole the limelight, winning the People’s Choice Award for Most Outstanding Club Service Project in South Asia and the Platinum Award for the Most Outstanding Club Service Project, which was awarded to a project that has been continuously flourishing and most awaited every year, “Conquer Colombo”!
In addition, the club also won:
- Most Outstanding #ICT4DEV Project – Gold Award – Blackboard
- President of the Month (May) – Rtr. Maneesha Abeyarathne
- Spirit of Service Award – Rtr. Hamdhan Sulaiman
- Award of appreciation (District Committee Members) – Rtr. Akila Maheshi Devendra
- Award of appreciation for hosting Rotaract Basketball practices
- Award of appreciation for organizing Project Serve
It was certainly a heart – warming occasion for all of us when the awards were being brought to the table, receiving standing ovations from the Rotaract Achievers family, and friends.The feeling of representing our club, the feeling of setting an example, was an indescribable one altogether.
The final awards were followed by the Vote of Thanks delivered by the newly appointed Rotaract District Secretary, Rtr. Shalanka Weerasinghe and the National Anthem. In conclusion, DRR Rtr. PP Anuradha Senanayake officially terminated the proceedings.
However, the fun did not end there, as there was a “Bollywood’ themed afterparty where all the Rotaractors let loose, dancing their hearts out to some wonderful music. This was especially heartening as there were Rotaractors from different parts of Sri Lanka dancing together, and it goes to show how this wonderful movement brings people of different backgrounds together, united under one banner!
All in all, the 27th Rotaract District Assembly was certainly not just another awards night.It was celebration, appreciation, recognition, self – satisfaction, all put together. It wasn’t classified under any one avenue. It was celebrating the true spirit of Youth, the spirit of Rotaract.
Rtr. Insiya Mamujee
Editor
RACALBS