An article by Alex Lapiña, Rotary Activate and Rotaract Music MakersDistrict 9800 Membership Director Alex Lapiña recently joined students at Torrens University as a guest speaker for their Industry Engagement Project subject. He shared Rotary’s mission, tackled stereotypes about age and relevance, and explored how cause-based Rotaract clubs like Music Makers are helping Rotary connect with younger adults. The students loved the session—proof that the next generation is ready to get creative about Rotary’s future!
On September 29th, I had the absolute pleasure of representing Rotary District 9800 at Torrens University, where I was invited to be a guest speaker for their subject Industry Engagement Project. The goal of the course was simple but powerful—develop a project or strategy to better engage 18–35-year-olds with Rotary.
I kicked things off by sharing what Rotary is really about—our mission, our people, and the huge global network that’s quietly (and sometimes loudly!) making change happen every single day. But we didn’t shy away from the tough stuff either. We talked about why engaging younger adults can be tricky, from stereotypes about Rotary being “for retirees,” to ageism, to the fact that most young people don’t even know what options exist for them within the organisation.
That’s where cause-based Rotaract clubs come in. I shared how the Rotaract Club of Music Makers started right here in District 9800 by combining service with our love of performing arts—and how that’s opened the door for more people who might never have thought Rotary was “for them.”
The energy in the room was incredible. Students asked smart, challenging questions about marketing, leadership, and how Rotary could collaborate more with universities. You could really feel their curiosity and creativity coming alive.
It was honestly one of the most refreshing and fun sessions I’ve had the chance to lead. The feedback from both students and staff was so positive, and I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing what ideas this next generation will come up with to help Rotary grow and evolve.
Here’s to building more bridges like this one—between Rotary and the bright minds shaping the future.