By PSC Student Maille O’Toole
Club members of the Rotaract Club of West Virginia University Potomac State College gained recognition as the recipients of the 2017-18 Rotary Citation, awarded by Rotary International President Ian H.S. Riseley. The club earned this award by fulfilling the 2017-18 theme of “Rotary: Making A Difference” and achieving goals such as increasing club membership, donating to The Rotary Foundation, outreaching to the community via sustainable service projects, and building awareness of Rotary in the Keyser area.
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Keyser, the Rotaract club brings together students to engage and take action in their communities, expand their professional and leadership skills, independently manage and fund their club, and have a good time spreading the mission of Rotary in Action with their peers.
Charles Julian, PhD, who serves as associate university librarian and advisor to the Rotaract Club at the College, as well as president of the Keyser Rotary, has led students on several community service projects, including: packing bags for the Food For Thought project; assisting the Rotary Club of Keyser with planting trees at Keyser High School; and ringing the bells for the Salvation Army during the holidays.
While there are times that both Clubs participate in the same service projects, as in the case of the Food For Thought event (a signature project of the Rotary), it is the job of the Rotaract members to choose which projects they will undertake.
“The Rotary Club of Keyser is proud to be a sponsor of the Rotaract Club of Potomac State College. We are pleased when both clubs can mutually participate in projects which make a significant difference to those who live in our local community and around the world. Rotaractors and Rotarians are people of action,” stated Dr. Julian, adding, “We connect passionate people with diverse perspectives to exchange ideas, forge lifelong friendships, and, above all, take action to change the world.”
With 10,904 Rotaract clubs in 184 countries, Rotaract’s 250,792 members work to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
Potomac State College is part of the WVU System located on the Keyser campus.