A new Rotaract year, a new board of executive members and directors! After determining who all from our highly driven member base would be appointed in our board this year, it was time to officially welcome the new year and an Installation Ceremony is undoubtedly a very special annual occasion for any Club as it marks the beginning of a brand new year and along with it, a new president and a board with many plans and hopes for a year better than its preceding.
Our 7th Installation Ceremony which successfully concluded during the evening of the 7th of August 2016, took place at the Royal College Union Skills Centre in the presence of many dignitaries, special guests and fellow Rotaractors of the various other Rotaract Clubs of the District.
Organizing this event began a whole month and a half prior to the planned date and the co-chairpersons, Rtr.Naadir Thassim and Rtr. Rimzan Raheem, wasted absolutely no time in forming committees and assigning duties to each member, ensuring proper planning and hence, no loose ends in the eleventh hour.
This being the initial project since the Club’s Theme for the Year, ‘Unite to Ignite’ was chosen, the essence of the phrase was significant as we all worked in unison for the sole cause being an Installation Ceremony which had no shortcomings and that being achieved, we can definitely foresee a fruitful year ahead with the amount of teamwork, commitment and potential which is present in our newly appointed board and the members of our Club, which we witnessed in the organizing of this event.
This Installation like any other was immensely special to everyone involved and the evening saw a mixture of positive emotions as we began with much anticipation while fixing the decorations and corsages, to the warm ceremonial rites of a Rotaract Installation, which was followed by the Secretary’s Report that took us on a walk down a wonderful memory lane of our year 2015-2016, and pleasantly emotional and riveting speeches by our outgoing and incoming presidents. Next was the highlight of the evening where our board of officials for the year 2016-2017, who were dressed in navy blue and grey were inducted, following which were motivating speeches by our dignitaries and encouraging wishes from our fellow Rotaractors. We also got to celebrate the birthday of PDRR. Rotary Ann Nishani Perera, who was our Guest of Honor and it certainly added to the element of happiness present.
Notably one important happening of the evening was the launch of the Rotaract Blackboard, an initiative by our IPP. Rtr. Aaqeel Jiffry which was assisted by Rtr. Dinusha Samithasiri; a stepping stone on our way to Unite to Ignite, as it is a virtual platform designed exclusively for the members of our Club where our members are allowed to discuss projects and suggest ideas (even anonymously). It includes the district and the club calendar and also links all the documents in the Club’s Drive easily. It is in short, a tool that helps in organizing and interacting more within the Club.
Looking back at how our 7th Installation Ceremony was pulled off, there is a considerable amount of satisfaction and the uplifting words and praises by our DRR. Rtr. Mohamed Husni only adds to it. Special credits go to the co-chairpersons and IT directors and thanks to everyone who assisted, attended and sponsored this event as the success of it would not have been possible otherwise.
Here is to yet another amazing year in Rotaract driven by unity!
What the Chairpersons Have Got to Say :
As the Club Service Directors we were privileged to be the Co-Chairpersons of the 7th Installation Ceremony of our Club. It was indeed a wonderful experience, made even more special as it was the first project that we chaired in our Rotaract careers. We would like to convey our sincerest gratitude to everyone who contributed in any way to the successful completion of this event, especially to the Rotary Club of Colombo Mid Town, Rtr. Maneesha Abeyarathna and the Board of 2016-2017, Rtr. Aaqeel Jiffry and the Board of 2015-2016 and the other past Board members and members of the Club who assisted us in this endeavor. We look forward to working with all these amazing individuals in many more projects this year in order to take the Club to greater heights and also wish the club all the very best in its’ future endeavors.
Rtr. Naadir Thassim & Rtr. Rimzan Raheem
Editor