About Rotaract
Rotaract is a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to having a positive impact on society. We are a global network of young people aged 18 and above who are passionate about helping others and making meaningful change.
What is Rotaract?
Rotaract stands for Rotary in Action. We are a global community bringing together over 150,000 members in more than 11,000 clubs across 189 countries. Since 2019, Rotaract is no longer just a program of Rotary International but a full membership type — we are true partners in service and key members of the Rotary family. Our clubs organize regular meetings, community projects, professional workshops, and social events. Every member brings their energy, ideas, and determination to make the world a better place.
District 2240 — Czechia & Slovakia
Rotaract District 2240 was founded in 1988 and covers the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Dozens of clubs have been part of the district since its inception — the first Czech Rotaract club Praha was founded in 1992, Slovak Rotaract Bratislava in 1995. Today, 12 active clubs with 130+ members regularly collaborate on joint projects, host district conferences, and participate in European and global events. The district is represented by a DRR (District Rotaract Representative), DRS (District Rotaract Secretary), and two Country Representatives in ERIC.
Our Motto: Fellowship Through Service
Help
We want to help wherever help is needed — in our neighborhood, across the country, and internationally. We organize charity collections, volunteer events, and community projects with real impact.
Learn
Active learning plays a big role in Rotaract. We develop leadership skills, professional competencies, and personal growth through workshops, lectures, and hands-on projects.
Celebrate
Rotaract is fun and creates friendship. Joint events, trips, conferences, and parties forge bonds that last a lifetime and cross national borders.
Our Values
Service
We serve the community — locally and globally. The Rotary motto Service Above Self is our compass.
Fellowship
In Rotaract, friendships are formed that cross the boundaries of cities, countries, and continents.
Integrity
We act honestly and transparently. The Rotary Four-Way Test is our measure.
Diversity
We welcome everyone regardless of background, faith, or belief. Diversity enriches us.
Leadership
We develop young leaders who take responsibility and inspire others to take action.
The Four-Way Test
The Rotary Four-Way Test is an ethical guide we apply to every decision we make:
- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Rotaract Worldwide
11,000+
clubs
150,000+
members
189
countries
Rotaract in Europe
40
countries
119
districts
25,000+
members
District 2240
12
clubs
130+
members
2
countries (CZ & SK)
The Rotary Family
Rotary brings together people of all ages. Each organization in the Rotary family has its role and builds upon the previous one:
12–18
A program for high school students aged 12–18. Interactors learn the basics of community service and leadership under the guidance of a sponsoring Rotary or Rotaract club. Many current Rotaractors started their journey in Interact.
18+
A community of young people aged 18 and above. Since 2019, a full membership type of Rotary International. Rotaract clubs can be university-based or community-based. Members develop leadership skills, carry out projects, and build international friendships.
∞
A global network of professionals and leaders with 1.4 million members. Rotary clubs are the core of the entire movement — they carry out community projects, support youth organizations, and promote the motto Service Above Self.
Rotex
Rotex is an association of Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) alumni — Rotary International's worldwide exchange program for high school students. Rotex serve as intermediaries between Rotary clubs and exchange students: they mentor students before and during their exchange, organize events and trips for participants, and act as the voice for exchange students within Rotary. Many Rotex go on to join Rotaract or Rotary after their exchange. Rotex International oversees local Rotex associations around the world and supports the development of future Rotarians with firsthand international experience.
Rotary International
Rotary International is the parent organization of Rotaract. Founded in 1905 in Chicago, it now brings together over 1.4 million members in more than 46,000 clubs across 200+ countries. Rotary focuses on seven areas: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, supporting mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies, and protecting the environment. Rotary District 2240 oversees both Rotary and Rotaract clubs in Czechia and Slovakia.
Rotaract Europe (ERIC)
Rotaract Europe, officially the European Rotaract Information Centre (ERIC), was founded in 1988 at the first European Convention (EUCO) in Antwerp. In 1993, ERIC was officially recognized by Rotary International as an MDIO. Today it brings together over 25,000 members across 40 European countries and 119 districts. It coordinates Rotaract activities across Europe, hosts three major international meetings per year (two REMs and EUCO), organizes projects like Duck Race and United for Peace, and connects young leaders from across the continent. District 2240 actively participates in European events — in 2025 we hosted REM Prague.
How Is Rotary Organized?
Rotary International is structured into four levels: clubs, districts, zones, and the international organization.
The central organization headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, USA. It is led by the RI President elected for a one-year term, the Board of Directors (17 directors + president + president-elect), and the General Secretary. Rotary International (RI) coordinates global programs, issues policies, and hosts the annual RI Convention.
The Rotary world is divided into 34 zones with approximately equal numbers of members. Zones are paired, and each pair elects one Director to the Rotary International Board of Directors. Each zone holds an annual Rotary Zone Institute — a gathering of current and past district leaders. District 2240 belongs to Zone 21.
A grouping of 45–80 clubs in a geographic area. The district is led by a District Governor (DG) with a team of Assistant Governors. Within the district, the Rotaract structure is led by the DRR. Districts hold conferences, training events, and coordinate cooperation between clubs. Our District 2240 covers Czechia and Slovakia.
The basic unit of both Rotary and Rotaract. Each club is autonomous — it decides on its own program, projects, and membership. Clubs meet regularly (usually every two weeks), organize projects, and host social events.
Roles in Rotaract
In the Club
Leads the club, chairs meetings, and represents the club externally.
Deputizes for the president and coordinates committees.
Handles administration, minutes, and communication with the district.
Manages club finances, budget, and membership dues.
In addition to the main officer roles, clubs can establish committees for specific areas — such as a projects committee, PR committee, fundraising committee, or membership committee. Each club determines the composition and number of committees based on its own needs.
In District 2240
The representative of all Rotaract clubs in the district. Coordinates district activities, represents Rotaract at district meetings, and serves as the main link between Rotaract and Rotary.
The district secretary. Handles administration, communication, and organizational support for the DRR and the entire district.
Country representatives in ERIC (European Rotaract Information Centre). District 2240 has two CRs — one for Czechia and one for Slovakia. They attend European meetings and vote on the direction of Rotaract Europe.
Meetings
Rotaract and Rotary host regular meetings at different levels — from district to international:
District Conference
The main conference of Rotary District 2240 is held annually in May. Both Rotary and Rotaract attend — Rotaract has its own part of the program, while some sessions are shared. The program includes lectures, workshops, award ceremonies, and a gala evening. In the fall (typically November), Rotaract also holds its own informal conference, focused primarily on team building, networking, and strengthening cooperation between clubs.
REM (Rotaract European Meeting)
Held twice a year — in fall (September/October) and winter (January). A weekend gathering of Rotaractors from across Europe featuring workshops, ERIC meetings, a gala dinner, and sightseeing in the host city. Each REM is organized by a different European district — in 2025, REM Prague was hosted by our District 2240.
EUCO (European Rotaract Convention)
The largest European Rotaract event of the year. Held in late May or June, it lasts five days and attracts over 500 attendees. The program includes keynote speeches, workshops, cultural activities, excursions, a gala dinner, and a major party. The new ERIC Board is elected at EUCO.
Rotary Zone Institute
An annual zone-level gathering convened by the Zone Director. Attended by current and past district leaders (DG, PDG) and invited guests. The program includes interactive educational sessions, inspirational speakers, and networking. The Institute serves as a space for sharing best practices between districts and training future leaders.
RI Convention
The biggest Rotary International event — an annual convention with tens of thousands of attendees from around the world. Held in a different city each year (2025: Calgary, 2026: Taipei). The program includes plenary sessions, hundreds of breakout sessions, the House of Friendship exhibition, and the Rotaract Preconvention. A unique opportunity to experience Rotary on a global level.
PELS (Presidents-Elect Learning Seminar)
Training for incoming club presidents and other district officers. Held in spring before the start of the new Rotary year (July 1). Participants learn about their roles, planning, and resources available to them.
Rotary Foundation Seminar
An educational seminar focused on the Rotary Foundation — Rotary International's charitable foundation. Participants learn about grant programs, Rotary's areas of focus, and opportunities for financing projects through the district.
Up-to-date event calendars on the district and European level:
History of Rotaract
From one club in 1968 to a global movement across 189 countries.
On March 13, 1968, the first Rotaract club was ceremoniously founded at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, USA, by Rotary International President Luther Hodges. The idea was to give young people a platform to develop leadership skills while serving their community. Clubs in Mexico, Italy, and India followed the same year — and from one club, a global movement was born within just a few years.
Rotaract had become so popular that Rotaractors in South Africa invited participants from around the world to the first INTEROTA conference — an international Rotaract meeting that has been held every three years since, bringing together thousands of Rotaractors from dozens of countries.
The first European Convention (EUCO) takes place in Antwerp and ERIC — European Rotaract Information Centre — is founded. Representatives from 15 countries (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey) laid the foundation for a continent-wide Rotaract network.
In the same year, Rotaract District 2240 is established for Czechia and Slovakia.
In March, World Rotaract Week is launched — an annual celebration during the week of March 13th to commemorate the founding of the first Rotaract Club. It is celebrated worldwide with joint projects, meetings, and events.
In Prague, the first Czech Rotaract club is founded — RAC Praha, opening the way for the Rotaract movement in Czechia.
ERIC is officially recognized by Rotary International as an MDIO (Multidistrict Information Organization) — becoming the first international MDIO in the Rotarian world. This recognition strengthens the position of European Rotaract and enables better coordination of activities across the continent.
In Bratislava, the first Slovak Rotaract club is founded — RAC Bratislava, expanding the Rotaract network within District 2240 to both countries.
Prague hosts a REM (Rotaract European Meeting) — one of the regular European Rotaract gatherings, bringing hundreds of Rotaractors from across Europe to the capital. It is the first major international Rotaract event in our district's history.
Bratislava hosts another REM — for the second time in history, a European Rotaract meeting takes place in District 2240. The event brings hundreds of participants from dozens of European countries and strengthens our district's position on the international stage.
A pivotal moment for all of Rotaract: it transitions from being a Rotary International program to a full membership type. Rotaractors are now true partners in service — they can establish clubs independently and are key members of the Rotary family.
Prague hosts REM Prague 2025 — one of the largest European Rotaract meetings. District 2240 serves as the host, welcoming hundreds of participants from across the continent. This marks the third international event of this kind in our district's history.
Join Us
Rotaract is open to everyone aged 18 and above who wants to help, learn, and be part of an inspiring community. Find your club or contact us.