Rotaract District Assembly is one of the most awaited events of the year, where all the Rotaractors in Sri Lanka get together to rejoice the beginning of another amazing Rotaract year. This year, the 31st Rotaract District Assembly was carried out under the theme “Together we make life a living masterpiece”, on the 10th of July 2021, as the first-ever virtual assembly due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura received the honor of hosting the very first virtual assembly of Rotaract District 3220, Sri Lanka and Maldives history, along with the Rotaract Clubs of Australian College of Business and Technology and Colombo Mid-Town.
Rotaract District Assembly plays an important role each year, as it marks the end of a successful year and the commencement of another efficacious year. This year too we witnessed it through the transition where the District Rotaract Representative for the year 2020-2021, Rtn. Rtr. PP Kasun Sigera handed over his position to the new District Rotaract Representative for 2021-22, Rtn. Rtr. PP Akhila Wijetunga.
Rtn. Rtr. PP Kasun Sigera delivered his last speech as the DRR, which was definitely a sensitive moment of the event as he was almost in tears. His emotional words saying “You guys mean the family to me…” mirrored how much he loves this movement and his unbreakable bond with his team. He motivated the audience with his humble and kind words and wished the best out of the best to the next bunch of leaders for another remarkable year.
Rtn. Rtr. PP Kasun Sigera, most of the time, started his virtual speeches saying, “I hope I am audible enough…” and when he was being rewarded with tokens of appreciation at the district assembly, his fellow mates did not forget to add “Yes, Kasun you were always audible.” Rtn. Rtr. PP Kasun was not only audible to the ears in meetings, he has always been audible to the brain and heart of every Rotaractor he was speaking to, AT ALL TIMES.
Rtn. Rtr. PP Akhila Wijetunga delivered his first speech as the DRR for the year 2021-22, where he revealed the new developments for the upcoming year and shared some wise words on how to drive towards the vision by serving to change lives. “I believe Rotaract is a creator of leaders who can, who will, and who must enable and empower themselves as well as the surrounding ones. I urge all Rotaractors to ensure the sustainability of the work that you do so that the good work will not give results just once but for a very long time…”
Mr. Nayana Mawilmada, Sector Head, John Keells Properties, and Executive Vice President, John Keells Holdings who joined us at the 31st Rotaract District Assembly as the keynote speaker shared some amazing thoughts and advice. “Some of you in this audience will be change-makers of the future. So be strong, be persistent! Believe in the power of your ability to move things much bigger than you…”.
His speech with such advice enhanced the enthusiasm among the young leaders of the country by motivating them to give their best as Rotaractors as well as good citizens.
This event was held with the presence of prestigious guests and artists which made the event more impactful and colorful. Mr. Pradhee Sandeepana, Mr. Srimal Fernando, and Ms. Falan Andrea entertained the audience with their melodious voices.
As the cherry on top, the Rotaract District Assembly is a forum where all Rotaract clubs in RID 3220 are being acknowledged for the amazing and extraordinary hard work they’ve pulled off during the previous year.
The Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura being one of the most active clubs of the district, was announced winner multiple times in the assembly, always proving we’ve got not only the QUANTITY but also the QUALITY. At this year’s assembly, 10 awards, 12 nominations, and 6 recognitions added a bright shine to the name of the Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
RACUSJ received recognition at the 31st Rotaract District Assembly for 6 criteria.
- Most Participative Club at the 31st Rotaract District Assembly.
- Rotaract District Citation Certificate.
- for hosting the District Projects – RCL Athletics & the project Yaluwa.
- Rtr. IPP Amasha Sirimanna, as the President of the month of October.
- Rtr. Zaina Sallay, as the Secretary of the Quarter 1.
- Rtr. Harumi Rathugama as the “Spirit of Service”.
It is true indeed that TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK. The Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura showed and will continue to show a massive impact on society as well as the environment while building strong bonds among Rotaractors through fellowship.
Due to the never quitting team spirit, RACUSJ proudly gleamed at the 31st District assembly and was able to secure 10 awards of which 4 were gold.
- Project “Rise Up Sri Lanka” as the Most Outstanding Initiative in line with Rotary Focus Areas & District Focus Areas: Peace and Conflict Resolution.
- Project “Butterfly Effect 3.0” as the Most Outstanding Initiative in line with Rotary Focus Areas & District Focus Areas: Mental health and wellbeing.
- Project “Someone’s Daughter Volume 3” as the Most Outstanding Public Image Initiative.
- Project “A Memorable December” as the Most Outstanding Club Service Initiative (Virtual).
We were also honored to receive 3 silver awards
- Most Outstanding Club for Overall Public Relations Effort.
- Project “For them to Blossom 3.0” as the Most Outstanding Initiative in line with Rotary Focus Areas and District Focus Areas: Economic and community development.
- Project “E-Buddy Network 2.0” as the Most Outstanding Inter-Regional Fellowship Initiative.
Last but not least we secured the bronze award for
- Project “E-Buddy Network 2.0” as the Most Outstanding Initiative in line with the District year theme “Strive as One”.
The immediate past secretary of our club, Rtr. Zaina Sallay did not fail to win the award for the Most Striving Secretary of the Year. Surely this was not a surprise because every member of RACUSJ who had even once listened to her “Rasa Katha” knew how much she loved and cared for Rotaract.
Last year took a detour from the norm because of the global pandemic. But Covid-19 was not a showstopper and yet another challenge that we bravely overcame. We were awarded The Most Resilient Club of the Year.
Being awarded the Most Resilient Club is never an easy task to accomplish. Without a strong base, it is impossible for a movement as Rotaract to stand on its own and reach greater heights throughout the whole year.
A pandemic would have been an excuse for some to stay low but the amazing member base who remained active through thick and thin with RACUSJ played a major role in all the awards we received. If not for them, striving ahead in the midst of the many barriers that came right at us would not have been possible.
Hats off to every single member who worked hard and was always there to hold RACUSJ strong. The awards RACUSJ secured at the Assembly are part of your hard work too.
RACUSJ got shortlisted as nominees for several awards as well. Getting the honor of being the only Rotaract Club to receive 12 nominations which were the most nominations at the 31st Rotaract District Assembly, the efforts of our Rotaractors were appreciated throughout the event.
The 12 nominations that made RACUSJ stand magnificent are,
- Project “Someone’s Daughter Volume 3” as the Most Outstanding Public Relations Effort for an Initiative via Mass Media.
- Project “A Memorable December” as the Most Outstanding Recreational Initiative.
- Project “4 Score” as the Most Outstanding Sport Initiative.
- Project “Talentangle” as the Most Outstanding External Partnership Based Initiative.
- Project “Butterfly Effect 3.0”, as the Most outstanding Digital Communications Initiative.
- Project “Youth Entrepreneurship Summit’21” as the Most Outstanding Initiative with a Rotary club.
- Project “Literato’21“, as the Most Impactful International Service Initiative.
- Project “Butterfly Effect 3.0” as the Most Sustainable Community Service Initiative.
- project “Peramaga” for the Stop the Spread Special Project.
- Project “Growing Green 2.0” as the Most Outstanding Initiative in line with Environment and Green Life.
- Project “Triwizard’21” as the Most Outstanding Club Service Initiative Focused on Fellowship.
Our club being recognized as the Most Participative Club at the 31st Rotaract District Assembly proves over and over again how enthusiastic our Rotaractors have been and are willing to be.
The Rotaractors of University of Sri Jayewardenepura showed such enthusiasm to witness the start of the new journey of another Rotaract year as well as to share the joy of the glorious achievements of our club just as how they had been cheering on for the club during the past year.
The Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura is known for powering through and striving hard. If you are already a Rotaractor of the RACUSJ, you are far beyond fortunate as you get to be a part of the culture of change-makers.
And for the Rotaractors who are yet to join, you owe yourself a valuable opportunity to give something back to the community you live in and it will be self-satisfying.
The 31st Rotaract District Assembly which was carried out under the theme “Together we make life a living masterpiece”, truly gave us a good time to look back with utmost pride and admiration, and also it made us realize we have a journey ahead to embark upon with never-ending anticipation.
Written by Rtr. Oshani Samarakkody & Rtr. Hasini Amanda
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