Rotaract Speed Networking 2010

Photos from the December 2nd Speed Networking Event:

Rotary Youth Exchange Tour of Philadelphia

On Sunday, November 21st, the Rotaract Club of Philadelphia hosted the Rotary Youth Exchange Students of Philadelphia for a historic tour of the City of Brotherly Love.

From Love Park the Rotary group headed to Old City to tour Independence Hall and see the iconic symbol of American Independence, the liberty bell. The international group then walked two blocks away to visit the interactive Constitution Center.

The Rotaract members served as unofficial ambassadors of the city providing insight as they passed through Washington Square and Society Hill. The day wrapped up on South Street with an afternoon of shopping. Before heading back to the suburbs everyone tried a staple in Philadelphia cuisine, a cheesesteak.

A special thanks to Rob Newman, Rotary Youth Exchange Chair for supporting the Rotaract Club of Philadelphia’s effort to have a day of international exchange and fellowship.

Professional Development - Scott Grande

Today on June 15th, Scott Grande visited our club. He is the current Assistant Vice President Branch Manager of Firstrust Bank here in Philadelphia.

Aside from getting a very detailed picture of Scott's professional development, he offered insight and tricks into our individual development such as how to approach switching career paths and naming common job interview mistakes.

Rotaract Receives Gundaker Grant

Yesterday night, Gundaker (District Rotary Committee) members voted yes on issuing RAC Philadelphia a $1000 grant towards our cause Adopt a Village.

Thank you to Nancy Magagna who helped Rotaract bring this cause to the Gundaker table.

Rotary Spring Gala

Rotary hosted an annual gala this past Friday, May 29th at the Montrose Mansion in Villanova University. The below Rotaractors attended and supported the Philadelphia Rotary that night:

Asako Yoshino
Makoto Kuwabara
Stephen Iskrant
Maya Fridman

The evening was filled with good conversation with friends and family also attending the gala. We enjoyed a silent auction filled with many items such as Arden Theater tickets, autographed books and wine baskets. Frank Hollick also auctioned off his services to the highest bidder where he would work one day as a personal assistant.

There was a pleasant presentation dedicated to the outgoing Rotary President, John Wynn, who opened each meeting with a quote from John Adams, Thomas Jefferson or Benjamin Franklin. The audience was always asked to identify who said it!

Winding down the evening, guests enjoyed desserts and coffee amidst their uninterrupted conversation as the night culminated…

Professional Development - Kirsty Halliday

Yesterday we enjoyed the presentation by Rotarian Kirsty Halliday from our sponsoring Rotary Club of Philadelphia.

Kirsty spoke on her personal career developmental and her international background. She was born in Germany, moved to Scotland with her family and throughout her life also moved to England and to the US, where she's currently residing.

Kirsty emphasized the importance of networking and not being afraid to speak out even if you're a little shy. In the end, you will not be left wondering what could have happened. It's important to seize each and every opportunity because it's rarely presented more than once.

Lastly, in an international world, Kirsty pointed out that you need to be mindful and sensative to cultural interpretations - What you may say to someone may be misinterpretated due different cultural rules or customs.

Cherry Blossom Gala - April 23, 2009

Rotaract Club of Philadelphia hosted an annual benefit called the Cherry Blossom Gala on April 23, 2009. It was held at the Triumph Brewing Company in Old City, Philadelphia. This year we raised support for an international project called Adopt a Village (AAV)(www.toadoptavillage.org).

AAV is an international effort to raise a village out of poverty, which was started by a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Sebastopol, California. This US-based Rotary Club partners up with a Rotary Club in an impoverished region of the world, who then selects, surveys, and contacts a local indigenous village. The US-based Rotary Club promotes and collects funding for a specific village. In 2008, at the height of its publicity, the founder presented the project on “Rotary International at the UN Day.”

Our club is partially sponsoring a village in Uganda, Africa, called Mbazzi. It is made up of approximately 1200 people. AAV will use our donations along with others to improve on three main components of the village’s life: Education, health and hunger. Those are the pillars of Adopt of Village - AAV believes that one cannot be achieved without the other two elements.

To raise funds for this project, we organized the Cherry Blossom Gala where our guests enjoyed wine and beer at the bar and display-style hors d'oeuvres. We decorated in spring fashion with sunny flower arrangements on tables. With the cooperation of international and local artists, we hung up paintings and photographs, which guests could bid on in the silent auction or purchase for the full price.

Aside from the silent auction tables that were crowded with beautiful artwork, we also had donated items from local businesses that submitted theater tickets, sports tickets, spa baskets, wine arrangement and others.

Halfway through the evening, we generated additional revenue by auctioning a date with one eligible bachelorette and bachelor. Rotaract Club of Philadelphia gave complimentary Philadelphia Museum of Art tickets to the highest two bidders.

The club made over $1,300 in profit that would benefit Adopt a Village.