Young Professionals Taking Community Service to a New Level

Members of the Rotaract Club of Santa Barbara already have surpassed 1,000 volunteer hours.

By Liz Werhane | Published on 10.24.2008

The 20-somethings of the Rotaract Club of Santa Barbara have contributed more than 1,000 hours of community service to the community.

Rotaract’s members, young professionals ages 18 to 30, may not have the disposable income to spend on $200 tickets to nonprofit galas, but they’re often attending anyway. They’re there donating what they do have: time and energy.

A small sample of organizations helped:

» Goleta Valley Beautiful
» American Heart Association
» Santa Barbara Public Library
» Downtown Organization of Santa Barbara
» Habitat for Humanity
» Stow House and Rancho La Patera, with Rotary Club of Goleta Noontime
» El Puente School, with Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise
» Cottage Health System
» ResQCats
» United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County

“You can plant a lot of trees, paint a lot of walls, hammer a lot of nails and help a lot of nonprofits with 1,000 hours,” Rotaract President David Vo said.

International projects are the next frontier for the young club, which already has raised enough money to purchase a clean-water system for Patzcuaro, Mexico. Members are also working on an ambitious project in partnership with a Rotaract Club in Rwanda to help older orphans learn job skills.

“Rotary is honored to support these enterprising young professionals,” local Rotarian Stephen Wheeler said. “Their enthusiasm and desire to be positively involved with a broad range of volunteer projects from Carpinteria to Goleta — and to have fun doing it — takes community service to a new level.”

The club also promotes professional development and networking. Its monthly night hikes and social activities are popular among its members.

Rotaract has meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of every month at varying locations, and service and social events are nearly weekly. Annual dues are $20. Click here for more information.

Liz Werhane is the representative for Rotaract Club District 5240.

Comments

Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules as part of Noozhawk's shared online community. Please keep your comments civil and helpful. Don't attack other readers personally, and do not use vulgar, abusive or discriminatory language. Use the "Report Abuse" link if a comment violates these standards or our Terms of Use.

» Marilyn Gilbert on 10.26.08 @ 06:05 AM

Fab idea! And if Roteract Club members ever want to help with music, the SB Music Club which gives two concerts free to the public in the Central Library on the first Wed and the third Sat each month from Oct. through June can always use some help. Especially with some special concerts which raise money for music student scholarships.
Contact me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

» Alissa Sears on 10.26.08 @ 12:17 PM

I’ve had the honor to know Liz Werhane and the work that Rotaract has continued to do in the local community. It truly is an amazing group of young professionals dedicated to making positive changes and building leadership. We’re very fortunate to have them all here in Santa Barbara!

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

» Laura Inks on 11.04.08 @ 07:48 AM

I have had the extreme pleasure of working with this bunch of fine young people. They came to ARTS ALIVE! Creativity Center and helped glaze abandoned ceramic projects to use for a Police Activities League fund raiser two years ago. They’ve come a long way and are growing in numbers. Kudos to the organizers who are helping to develop a new generation of people who not only care about, but are active in our community.
VERY IMPRESSIVE!
and thanks!

You don't have permission to flag this entry.