July marks the end of another Rotaract year, and it is hard to believe that 2022 is on it’s way! The 2020-2021 year looked very different from others but still allowed for lots of connection, in very unique ways, especially with the larger international Rotaract community.
Lots of online events took place including trivia night, wine night fellowships with Rotaract Toronto, coffee hour with Rotaract Sri Lanka and Rotaract Brazil, and we celebrated World Rotaract Week virtually with Rotaract and Rotary members from Canada, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Mexico, and the United States. These types of events have led to lasting friendships and we look forward to future collaborations and connections with the international community.
As the year progressed, we were able to return to in-person volunteering events including the Riverwest Food Pantry Farm, Johnsons Park fall clean up, Feeding America with Rotary Milwaukee, the Mckey Christmas Club gift distribution, Interchange food pantry, Schlitz Audubon clean up, Habitat for Humanity framing and siding, Milwaukee Riverkeeper spring clean up, Rotary District Conference, and the Fight for Air Climb. I appreciate everyone who has volunteered their time in-person and virtually who have made these events a success.
To conclude the year, our club submitted a grant proposal to the Rotary District which was successfully approved. The proposal is to work with the River Revitalization Foundation and plant nearly 60 trees on park trails. This project will take place during the next Rotaract year.
It has not been easy navigating our new world and I want to thank the Rotaract Milwaukee board members, executive team, and our club members for being flexible, donating time and resources, and making this last year memorable. Despite the changes, we have continued to make an impact and difference in our community and I look forward to continuing the great work our club does.
Rotary Opens Opportunities!
Renato Geromel Jr
President 2020-21