Mitty Chang inspires Rotaractors

A five-day interaction with Rtn Mitty Chang, a member of the Rotary International’s Rotaract Interact Committee and IPP of the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley, D 5170, gave DRR Vaibhav Thakur a good understanding of how global Rotary works and the need for Rotaractors to graduate to the next level in the Rotary family. He was in Delhi to attend the District Conference of
D 3250 titled Sitarey.  DG Vivek Kumar, D 3250, had assigned Thakur and DRS Hamza Hashmi to look after the chief guest from California, US, who was on a maiden visit to India.

Right from receiving Mitty at the Delhi Airport and throughout his 5-day stay, “I along with Hamza had a range of discussion with our guest. Our talk centred on how to promote Rotaractors in Rotary clubs. Mitty was enthusiastic and interested in knowing the ­Rotarians in India and their club activities,” says Thakur.

Mitty is all for youth exchange programmes and said Rotaractors can give their innovative ideas to promote such events in Rotary clubs. “Another idea that propped up was how the services of DRRs can be effectively utilised by the clubs and in what way the RI Board can mediate on this issue.”

Amazing sights, diversity

Following a morning visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra, Mitty was taken on a whirlwind tour of the National Capital Region which further kindled his curiosity to know more about India. His tour included the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid, Connaught Place and the Dilli Haat. He remarked that Indian Rotaractors have many avenues to excel as there are opportunities galore for them to take up community projects.

While the average age of Rotarians in the US is around 60–65, Indian clubs have many young members and Rotaractors need to be part of mainstream activities of Rotary clubs, according to Mitty.

DRS Hamza found a “caring, enthusiastic and great mentor in him, who is passionate and dedicated towards youth and their development.” Listening to his speech at the DisCon, he says, “we all were mesmerised by his thoughts on the future of Rotary. His vision will make a difference in Rotary in coming times.” They shared project activities like International RYLA, Toronto Convention and the idea of organising a multi-district youth exchange in India.

Rotary hostels

During their interactions, Mitty mooted the idea of Rotary hostels for Rotaractors who are studying away from their homes. Such a boarding facility will develop bonding and create a platform for developing leadership skills in young minds he says.

Besides chartering two Rotaract clubs, Mitty has served as DRR and has shared his inputs on attracting young professionals to Rotary with Rotarians in the US, Canada, Portugal, Thailand, Australia, Brazil and Korea. Getting to know a Rotarian like Mitty, “gave me a new perspective on Rotary International. His urgency to plan for Rotary in the next 30 years when Rotaractors will be at the helm instilled in me a new passion towards the organisation,” says Thakur.