About Multi District Information Organisations (MDIOs)
Rotaract multi district information organisations (MDIOs) function as resource centres for Rotaractors. They comprise Rotaract clubs in two or more Districts, within a country or across several countries. MDIOs are formed to disseminate information and facilitate communication among Rotaract clubs in the participating Districts.
MDIOs in Europe, the Asia Pacific and South America have contributed significantly to Rotaract’s success by providing support and services that allow Rotaract clubs to flourish. There are 21 MDIOs that support Rotaract clubs in the following parts of the world, including: North America, Canada and the Caribbean, West America, Central Andes (Peru, Venezuela), Argentina and Uruguay and Paraguay, the Netherlands, Denmark, Europe, Korea, the Mediterranean, Nigeria, Brazil, Philippines, Germany, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Norway, South Asia and Taiwan.
Rotaract MDIOs are excellent vehicles for communicating program updates, local and international news, and event bulletins, and for uniting Rotaractors from different clubs and Districts within a particular region. MDIOs frequently offer Rotaractors information in the form of publications, resources and contacts.
About the Rotaract Australia MDIO
So what is Rotaract Australia doing?
- Annual Australian Rotaract Conference
- Annual Australian Rotaract Games
- National newsletter RotarACTION AU
- Regional training such as President Elect and Club Officer training
- Partnership with Rotarians Against Malaria
- National directory of clubs available on the website
- Setting up websites for Rotaract Clubs through Rotaract | IT
- Marketing committee working on increased brand awareness of Rotaract as well as marketing resources for clubs
- Promotional merchandise
- Communication of national and international events, such as conferences
- Consolidation of club resources such as templates and documents
- Facilitation of collaboration between Districts through Council meetings
- Provide support and information to the District Rotaract Representatives
- Assist with strategic planning for Rotaract in Australia
Organisational Structure
Council of DRRs – Rotaract Australia’s governing body. The council is made up of the District Rotaract Representative from member Districts; these roles are elected by the Rotaract membership to support Rotaract Clubs in their District. DRRs decide which activities are undertaken by Rotaract Australia, with each DRR of a member District holding one vote on proposals put towards the Council. The Council of DRRs elects the Executive including the Chairperson.
Executive – Responsible to the Council of DRRs for the implementation of Rotaract Australia’s activities. The 2016-17 Executive consists of
- Chair Travis Holland (Southern Highlands, District 9710)
- Vice Chair Bec Weragoda (Sydney City, D9675)
- Secretary Bianca Lobo (Monash, D9810)
- Treasurer Emily Barr (Peninsula, D9820)
- Communications Director Amanda Firkins (Hawkesbury, D9685)
Benefits to Rotaract
- Better marketing of Rotaract and recruitment strategies to attract new members to clubs
- Training to help clubs become more effective
- Better information about unique opportunities available to Rotaractors
- Mentoring, support and assistance through challenging situations
- MultiDistrict events such as conferences and training
- Best practice guidelines compiled by experienced senior Rotaractors
- Raise the profile of Rotaract within the Rotary Family and to the public
- Communication between Districts to help members feel part of something bigger
- Enhance the Rotaract experience for our members
- Allows DRRs to better focus on their Districts knowing that advances are being made to support Rotaract on a national level
- Provide a framework for DRRs to make decisions on Rotaract at a national level
- Provide a support network for DRRs
Benefits to Rotary
- Strengthen Rotaract, increasing the number of potential Rotarians within the Rotary family
- Optimise the efforts of Rotarians who are investing their time to support Rotaract
- Assist to promote Rotary, Rotary ideals and Rotary projects to the younger generation
- Help Rotaract effectively serve as a membership catchment for graduated Interactors, returned Youth Exchange students, RYLA attendees and Ambassadorial Scholars
- Increase Rotary’s relevance to younger professionals
- Motivate Rotaractors to join Rotary – for each Rotaractor that joins, Rotary gains a member that is both new and veteran
- Provide a conduit from ACRG, Zone Director, Zone co-ordinators, Rotary co-ordinators to Rotaract clubs and Districts
- Disseminate best practices from around the country to every District
- Co-ordinate national Rotaract support for Rotary projects such as PolioPlus