Min Walrond challenges Rotaract Conference to influence others to positively impact communities

Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond is encouraging Rotaract clubs to strive for their highest potential and that of their memberships in order to positively impact the communities they serve.
She delivered these remarks during the opening ceremony of the District 7030 Rotoract Conference, held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) on Thursday with participation from 16 countries.
Emphasising the importance of well-ordered societies in which education, health and prosperity are paramount, Walrond said, “We aim to eliminate poverty, hunger, crime and violence.”
She highlighted the need for a critical mass of individuals dedicated to these objectives and the values underpinning them, and
acknowledged the diverse roles the attendees occupy or would occupy in the future, including politicians, professionals, entrepreneurs, teachers, workers, managers, supervisors, and parents.

“In all of these roles, we touch lives, influence people, and impact the communities of which we are a part. In our various roles, each of us is in a position to make an impact in the world around us,” she said.
“The question, of course, is what will that impact be? And here I do not speak of the size of that impact, I speak merely of whether we act for good or for ill, whether we leave our immediate environment better off for our presence and our actions.”
Walrond has praised organizations such as the Rotary and its youth arms, Rotaract and Interact, for their role in fostering a sense of community service.
“Anchored in the concept of service above self , your clubs inculcate in their members a sense of something greater than the individual. They emphasize the philosophy that we live in communities, and in order for our communities to thrive, we must serve the greater good to better our collective wellbeing,” she said.
The minister also lauded the community service activities planned for Sunday, which include planting a shade house, assisting with repairing cages, and beautifying a walkway at the zoo.

“These and other activities are a welcome demonstration of your commitment to service, and we are immensely grateful for your contribution to community development,” she underlined.
The conference promises to be a significant event for delegates, offering numerous opportunities for learning, networking, and contributing to the community.
Guyana has some six active Rotaract clubs, including the Rotaract Club of the University of Guyana. These clubs are part of a Rotary District, and they engage in various community service projects and leadership development activities which
often include environmental sustainability projects, educational programmes, and health-related services aimed at improving the wellbeing of their communities