During the Week of Welcome in the University of San Carlos, I was overwhelmed by the amount of organizations I can join in. Seeing the different posts of different school organizations made me feel like a lost puppy in the crowd. As a person who grew up in a service-driven community, I know I found home when I saw the Rotaract Club of Cebu Fuente – University of San Carlos or RACCF-USC. Being fairly new to this organization, I was enlightened about Rotaract, Rotary, and its mission.
During my first year in this club, I saw how tirelessly the officers and members worked on projects that benefited others. I see them work after hours like night-shift employees, and I often wonder where they get their energy from. The pandemic was already tough on one’s mental health and quarantine restrictions made it difficult to actualize projects yet the club was steadfast in service and persevered with the goal to initiate projects that solve a problem. That’s when I realized that RACCF-USC is an avenue where you can embody “Service Above Self.”
Distribution of water donations to the Coastal Barangays in Surigao City with the help of our logistics partner, the Rotaract Club of Central San Francisco. Photo from: Life Changing President Ryl Lyron Patayan
Grounded by Rotary’s Mission and Vision, Rotaract’s 4-way Test and the Goals of Rotaract, I am confident that Rotary and Rotaract clubs will continue to seek for ways in how to help others and bring peace to communities. And as for me, as I continue to serve in this club, I will always bring with me a clear picture of the past officers’ and members’ efforts because in them I saw the epitome of service above oneself. Times are changing but one thing is for sure, small acts of service create big impacts when we come together. That’s why together, let’s keep on imagining and bringing our imaginations to life!
Rtr. Clara at One District, One Rotary New Year Children’s Party last July 1, 2022
Fast forward to a year later, I became one of RACFF-USC’s Imaginative Officer. This role opened my eyes to a wider perspective of what is it like to serve in a Rotaract Club. RACCF-USC added fuel to the fire of service that started to burn bright within me. As a person whose ideas were kept in a box, this club has given me the chance to concretize my ideas into actionable projects. The club pushed me to speak, to lead, and to initiate projects for the community. Each project started with a problem in mind. And each project we initiated wouldn’t be successful without a strategic plan and a goal. Conceptualizing is one thing and bringing each project to life is another. That is why I will always say that it is my pleasure and honor to be part of a team that turns imagination into reality.
