In Gear | Rotary in Southern New Zealand Issue 1 | Page 19

Rotakids is carefully
structured to really
empower the youngsters
and put them in charge.”
Sharyn Cain,
mentor
Launching Rotakids in District 9980 was the mission
of Rotary Club of Waimate youth director Sharyn
Cain, who worked closely with Rotarians in the United
Kingdom, where junior clubs are thriving.
The youngest branch of Rotary, Rotakids is aimed at
children from around 7 to 12 – Years 3 to 8. As well as
being strong in the UK, Rotakids clubs are very active
in Brazil and Romania, and clubs have also recently
chartered in Australia and Italy.
Sharyn says the aim of Rotakids is to encourage young
people to learn valuable skills, take responsibility for
themselves and the community they live in, and to do
good for others.
She’s very quick to point out Rotakids isn’t about
pretending to be Rotarians – the junior club is the real
deal, and the youngsters take their roles within the
organisation very seriously.
“In fact, Rotakids is carefully structured to really
empower the youngsters and put them in charge. They
elect their own officer bearers and make their own
decisions, but can draw on my advice and guidance, as
their Rotary mentor,” Sharyn says.

“We’re
fortunate
in the Waimate area to have a range of very good
schools, and wonderful youngsters who really take
pride in their community, so it was an ideal place to
start New Zealand’s first Rotakids club.”
The Waimate Rotakids already have their sights on
achieving a Rotary Presidential Citation, for which they
must complete at least three initiatives or projects
through the year – one for their community, another
that’s nationwide and a third that’s international.
The chartering ceremony was a particularly special
event, not just for Rotary, but for the Waimate area, as
well. Both Rotary and other community VIPs shared
in the formalities and celebrations, including current
and past district governors, Janice Hughes and Karen
Purdue, current and past Waimate club presidents
Ailsa McKenzie and Colin Dore, and local mayoress Lyn
Stringer.
The mayoress and mayor Craig Rowley arranged the
design of special chains of office for the Rotakids Club
of Waimate, which Lyn presented to the new president
at the chartering ceremony.

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