Rotaract Club formed

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32679, 7 August 1971, Page 18

Rotaract Club formed

The initial charter presentation to the new Christchurch Rotaract Club was made at a function at the Shoreline Country Club last evening by the Christchurch Rotary Cub.

The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr A. R. Guthrey) opined the function with a orief speech in which he alluded to the installation of contra-ceptive-vending machines at the University of Canterbury and to the poster advertising lamb for export to Japan. “There are so many fine young people in our community, and New Zealand is so highly regarded overseas, that it is a pity that we are becoming tolerant of attempts to erode our moral standards,” Mr Guthrey said. “Now we have a student minority using familiar tactics to force their ideas on an apathetic majority, while at the same time lowering our own standards in our own eyes.” Mr Guthrey urged those present not to be apathetic but to have the courage of their convictions. Mr R. A. Johnstone, president of Rotoract, said that people chose to live in a community for the security and convenience it provided, yet few contributed or involved themselves beyond their personal needs. “Youth is grasping the challenge to do something in that it is less concerned with materialistic things and has become the mouthpiece for social conscience,” he said. “The two-way aspect of Rotoract offers a solution to the impatience of youth," Mr Johnstone said. “In serving, we identify with others through active participation, and in accepting the charter we accept the challenge of involvement” Present at the function were visitors from the Dunedin South, Balclutha, and Timaru Rotaract clubs, and from the new Rotaract Club at Ham, which, under the sponsorship of the Riccarton Rotary Club, is now being formed. Mr E. C. Robinson, S resident . of Christchurch otary. presented the chain

of office and gifts, and Mr R. Ayton, the district governor’s representative, presented the charter. The Christchurch Rotaract Club, a division of Rotary International, has 35 members, men and women, aged between 18 and 28. The only qualification needed to join is an interest in service to the community. So far me club has formed four committees; club, vocational, community, and international. The vocational committee has already written to school principals in Christchurch offering the services of members to speak to schools as additional vocational guidance.