The Rotaract Club of Cebu Fuente – University of San Carlos is a university based club sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente, RID 3860. We are diversely composed of equally talented, skillful and passionate to serve student-leaders from all university programmes who convene to dedicate our time and effort in serving the needs of others in the community. Chartered in March 6, 2008 by our charter president now Attorney, Sydrick G. Deiparine, the RACCF-USC bloomed to its full potential with 71 active members reported to the Rotary International. Our members are responsible, dedicated and empowered. I see them work on certain projects even with my almost to none supervision and help the club leverage to where it is now.
The Club, Cebu City in general, is challenged by the uncertainty of Covid-19 and the Super Typhoon Odette. It was difficult for us to mobilize, especially as university students, we were in a virtual set-up. However, I am surprised how the officers and members triumphantly championed projects and solutions for the community.
When Odette happened and as the water drainage system flooded, officers residing in regions not affected by it organized a water donation drive for the affected families in Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Negros Occidental, Surigao, Siargao and Dinagat Islands. The Club was able to raise funds with the help of our Rotary, Rotaract and School Organizations logistics and financial partners who work around the clock to assess and mobilize in the select communities.
Our Club is known for its flagship project called the 12 Days of Christmas. It is a project with 12 activities held in 12 different days for 12 select communities. Now in its 10th year, we tailor fit the projects in the current set up and the reach is bigger and wider. To name a few we had: Balik-Handog where our creative volunteers created a storybook about Polio; Laruan Para Kay Bruno a dog toy making session made from collected scrap fabrics which were donated to a dog shelter in Cebu City; and UPGRADE a webinar for small online businesses to equip them with the basics of digital marketing knowledge. What’s best about the 12 Days of Christmas project is the collaboration we create with our partners in service – the student organizations in the University of San Carlos – who not only financially supported the project, but also shared their time and resources to organize the activities.
Success came from working with the right people, planning and communicating with them regularly, correcting the loopholes of the projects, partnering with other organizations and clubs, convening every after the project execution, and aiming to be better next time were the only things we did. Maybe, after all, that’s the secret formula.
I will continue to pay it forward. I will offer my time and knowledge to the betterment of Rotaract and Rotary and the lives of others we serve in the community. In fact, I am transitioning now to the Rotaract Club of Cebu Fuente Community Based as their Public Image Director. In my future endeavors, Rotaract is part of it.
I believe that best leaders create more leaders. RACCF-USC developed me holistically, and I will continue to share the empowerment to others – it’s best when shared, right? And above all, now that I graduated, I promise to continually look out for the club as much as they did for me when I was starting.
