About Earlyact

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Earlyact is to promote goodwill, understanding and peace through the active participation of its student members so that with the committed citizenship and effective leadership they may improve the quality of life of their school, local and global communities.

 Earlyact teaches …Caring; Respect; Empathy; Responsibility; Tolerance; Citizenship; Compassion; Friendship and Leadership

 DESCRIPTION OF EARLYACT

Earlyact is a school wide service club for primary school students.  It is sponsored by one of the local Rotary Clubs in the township in which the school is located. The mission and operation of Earlyact is closely linked to the ideals of Rotary and provide the foundation and natural succession into Interact. Earlyact provides young students the opportunity for gaining an increased awareness and knowledge of their community and the world.

At a young age, all students can easily be encouraged to be caring and helpful.  Their minds are open to recognize the dignity and worth of each individual, which builds respect for others.  Earlyact also promotes understanding and the building of friendships among the club members. Earlyact also engages students in character-building activities and prepares them for leadership roles to identify and carry out projects, which benefit their school, local and global communities.

 OBJECTIVES OF EARLYACT

The purpose of Earlyact is to provide young students with the opportunities to participate in active citizenship in a culturally diverse democratic society within and interdependent world.

1.  The students develop committed citizenship and leadership qualities by identifying and taking responsibilities for real life problems within their school, local and global communities.

2.   The students realize the importance of respect, dignity and caring for all people by promoting good will and understanding through their active participation at school, local and community level.

3.   The students develop high student achievement by actively participating in various projects to improve the quality of life for their school, local and global communities.  They work with the sponsoring club members as facilitators, mentors and role models.

How to Start an Earlyact Club

If a Rotary Club has an interest in sponsoring an Earlyact Club, it can begin by appointing an Earlyact subcommittee.  One committee member can agree to act as the Rotary advisor to the Earlyact club, which involves attending meetings and offering guidance on service projects. Once the Earlyact subcommittee has become familiar with all the elements of the Earlyact program, it can make a presentation to its Rotary Club. 

After the Rotary Club has approved sponsorship, the Earlyact subcommittee can contact the appropriate school principal to discuss plans for an Earlyact club. A meeting time and place can then be discussed.  The educators are the driving force behind Earlyact because they are there, on site, to guide the students in carrying out the day-to-day activities of the club. 

The initial meeting of the Earlyact Club establishes the goals and objectives of the club.  Earlyact plan service projects, which benefit their school and local communities, and those which promote international understanding.

GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING EARLYACT

      Rotary Club Responsibilities

• Formulate Earlyact subcommittee within your club.

• Appoint chairperson to act as liaison between Rotary Club, Earlyact + school.

• Meet with Principal to discuss plans

• Invite District Governor for kickoff and other activities,

• Prepare press release for kickoff and other activities.

• Appoint a Rotary advisor to Earlyact club.

     General Club Membership

• Attend Earlyact kickoff event.

• Act as facilitators, role models and mentors to Earlyactors.

• Participate in Earlyact activities and projects.

• Attend Earlyact meetings when possible.

Financial Committee

• Start up seed money

• Donations of supply and equipment

     Recognise Earlyact members achievements

• Leadership and citizenship awards to Earlyactors

• Parent and faculty advisor recognition.

• Invite Earlyact officers to your club.

   School responsibilities

     Select Earlyact advisors.

• Attend Earlyact meetings

• Offer assistance and guidelines in service projects

• Guide officers in Parliamentary Procedures.

Set Earlyact meeting schedule

• Meet at least every second week.

• One half hour meeting

Support by participation in Earlyact activities and service projects.

 Earlyact Club responsibilities.

    Officers:

• President

• Vice-President

• Second Vice-President

• Secretary- correspondence

• Secretary- minutes

• Treasurer            

      Class representatives – 2 from each class

    Establish goals and objectives of Earlyact Club including
   Service Areas

• School

• Local

• Global

    Plan and organize projects and activities

1. Select chairmen for the committees

Choose activities than encompass service areas and involve the student body and Rotary Club.

Responsibilities of the Supporting Rotary Club

There is a close relationship between the Earlyact and the sponsoring Rotary Club.  The following are the responsibilities of the Rotary Club.

1. The sponsoring Rotary Club members act as facilitator’s role models and        mentors to the Earlyact.

2. The sponsoring Rotary Club assists Earlyactors to develop activities and projects, which promote citizenship, leadership and vocational awareness.

3. Whenever possible the sponsoring Rotary Club participates in Earlyact activates and projects.

4. At least one member of the Rotary Club will attend an Earlyact meeting as Rotary advisors.

5. Invite Earlyact officers to your Rotary Club Meeting.

6. Encourage Earlyactors by recognizing their achievements, such as presenting outstanding leadership and citizen wards.

7. Be sure new Earlyact officers are appointed at the end of each year so that they may receive the appropriate orientation.