A Message from the President (The Rotaract one... not that other important one)

First of all, thanks for swinging by our corner of the internet. Since you've clicked this, I must have your attention, and since I have your attention, I'm happy to take up some of your time.

I'm the one with the smile

My name is Bryce Johnson, and I am one of the founding members (and current president) of the Rockford Rotaract Club. At least this iteration of the Rockford Rotaract Club. There have been clubs before us, clubs based with NIU, or Rockford University, or Rock Valley College, but I'm hoping that there won't ever be clubs after us. We're approaching this a slightly different angle. As opposed to focusing on students, this time we're focusing on community. All those young adults looking for a social outlet, or the opportunity to create change in their city can come to us. All those people who talk about how they want to make a difference, or how they want to change the culture of Rockford have just one more way to do it (or get off their pedestal.)

But why Rotaract? Well... My reason for joining (and creating Rotaract), is because I've done it before. I was one of the founding members (and board member) of the Beijing West Rotaract. I got to see first hand what a concerted group of young people (with the support and help of slightly older people) could do in an oppressive Communist country. A country with huge social, economic, and cultural problems. After warming up with that, I thought maybe I was ready to take on Rockford.

So in Beijing, I made a lot of friends I wouldn't otherwise make, met a lot of good connections, and created some real change. 

Way more important people then me. I met the president of HTC here.

 

The First Class of Beijing West

While we were there, we had seminars on how to speak professionally (they went full "psycho-analyst" on it, examining why we did certain things, and how it could have come about). We hung out at parties and get-togethers, and most importantly, we caused change.

One of the examples of some of the work we did that I was really proud of was to throw a charity gala for Morning Tears, an international non-profit that advocates on behalf of the children of prisoners (especially those of with parents on death-row). We threw a barbecue for the kids and got sponsorship from a hotel and various stores to throw an absolutely awesome party.

We had DJ's sponsors, speakers, and an awesome theme. And we raised thousands of dollars for these awesome little kids.

So... I want to rebuild that. But I want to make it bigger, faster, and more efficient here. I mean, we're in the greatest nation in the world, in a city that is fighting to be a "top 25 community by 2025." I decided to make this Rockford Rotaract because I think we need it. I think that young people here should know where to find one another. I think we should help our community, and take it back from the "old blood." I think we can create connections. I think we can hang out and develop ourselves. And most importantly, I solidly think we can make change.

I already have a pretty good team developing, but I'm hoping we can get bigger, stronger, and better with you. If you've made it this far, it sounds like you're down with the mission. You can find us at Owly Oop (305 S. Madison Street, upstairs of the Sports Factory) on the 1st and 3rd Thursday at 6:30 of every month, and you can find us on FB  right here.

Come meet my crew!