On Saturday, February 29th, 2020, Chowan University’s Rotaract Club hosted East Carolina University’s (ECU) Rotaract Club at the Rotaract 2020 Nurture and Grow Summit. Rotary District Governor, Mrs. Tracey Ivey, initially proposed the event as a way to not only connect Rotaract clubs within district 7720, but help Rotary International connect with it’s Rotaract members. 

The day’s events began at noon with a catered lunch in the Chowan Room. Over a plate of asiago chicken, farfalle pasta, and vegetables, Rotaract attendees from Chowan and ECU clubs became better acquainted. Around 1:00 pm, the event moved to Vaughan Auditorium in Marks Hall where several individuals took part in an informative presentation. Catherine Vickers, Chowan Rotaract’s Faculty Advisor, opened the presentation with a formal welcome and recognition of the dignitaries present. Guest speaker, Mrs. Tracey Ivey, Rotary District Governor, relayed important changes and updates from Rotary International. Included in her presentation, Mrs. Ivey discussed refined district communications and the inclusion of Rotaract members on district committees. She also extended an official invitation to Rotaract members from both universities the opportunity to attend the district conference in Williamsburg, VA. Mrs. Ivey’s central concentration was conveying the importance of expanding Rotaract Clubs within district 7720. Furthermore, she emphasized the value of reaching out to other institutions and the establishment of Rotaract expansion teams. Following Mrs. Ivey’s presentation, the current presidents of both Chowan and ECU’s Rotaract Clubs gave a brief synopsis of the service events they completed since September as well as the plans they have for the future. 

Nearing 2:30 pm, the attendees made their way to a nearby classroom, Marks 124. Here, Rotaract members worked together to make blankets and assemble gift baskets for local children’s hospitals. This segment was specifically dedicated to service for others, specifically, focused on nurturing children and being motivated by compassion for their suffering and the desire to alleviate their pain. Some items that were included in the gift baskets were crayons, coloring books with inspirational quotes, fuzzy socks, Biotene mouthwash, and encouraging handwritten notes. The summit concluded around 4:30 pm with one final activity. Attendees sat in groups and began brainstorming goals they had for their clubs utilizing a growth mindset. Pen and pad in hand, they then made a list of manageable tasks that would help them achieve their stated goals. In an act of symbolic commitment, each member then wrote their goals and tasks on a green, construction paper leaf and secured it on the “Rotaract tree” thus closing out the 2020 Rotaract Nurture and Grow Summit.