Happy September! We're so excited to bring back the D5360 Rotaract Newsletter to keep you all updated with what Rotaractors are up to and how you can be involved! Through this newsletter, we hope to celebrate our Rotaract clubs, spotlight initiatives in our district, and bring our Rotary community closer together. I'd also like to take this opportunity to give a shout out to Rossamia, our newsletter editor for her hard work with organizing this edition, as well as the rest of our amazing committee directors - I've been exceptionally grateful as they have been very hard at work with developing district-wide events, establishing initiatives to benefit our Rotaractors, and doing everything they can to enhance Rotary-Rotaract relations!
We hope you're as excited to read about our initiatives as much as we are to execute them!
P.S. - we had some difficulties with the formatting of our newsletter, so we'd like to apologize if it looks a little weird and you see unnecessary borders around some of the texts and images!
Written by Jersey Magtangob, District Rotaract Representative & Committee Chair
IN THIS MONTH'S EDITION...
1. What is Rotaract?
2. What is the Rotaract Committee?
3. Meet the Rotaract Committee!
4. Meet our District 5360 Rotaract clubs!
5. Upcoming Initiatives and How to Support Us
6. Special Feature: Rotary-Rotaract Mentorship Program
7. Monthly Rotaractor & Charity Feature
WHAT IS ROTARACT?
Rotaract is a global organization for young adults who are passionate about making a difference through service and leadership development. By providing young adults opportunities and support, we aim to instill attributes of community, leadership, and care to our communities through service.
WHAT IS THE ROTARACT COMMITTEE?
While individual Rotaract clubs manage their own operations, funds, and activities, the Rotaract Committee works at a multi-club and district level: we provide a platform for all Rotaract clubs to collaborate and exchange new ideas, facilitate Rotary-Rotaract relations in our district, and we develop various specific initiatives to benefit Rotaractors based on the feedback we're given.
What makes Rotaract District 5360 unique is the close relationships we’ve built among our various subgroups– we continue to strengthen these connections through consistent communication, fellowship, and district-wide events!
MEET THE ROTARACT COMMITTEE!
Our committee is chaired by the District Rotaract Representative and is composed of directors hailing from the five Rotaract clubs in our district. Each director is responsible for one of six specific portfolios, including Administration, Finance, Communications, Fellowship, Service Projects, and Mentorship/Professional Development!
For any inquiries, contact us here:
Rotaract Committee: rotaract@rotary5360.ca
District 5360 Rotaract Representative: rotaractchair@rotary5360.ca
Jersey Magtangob
District Rotaract Representative & Committee Chair
Pronouns: She/Her
Club: UCalgary Rotaract
Academic Program:
Sociology and Education
As the DRR, I represent all of our Rotaractors both at the district level and at the international level. The feedback I receive as DRR directly pools into my work as Committee Chair; so if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas regarding Rotaract, please don't hesitate to reach out and I would be more than happy to have a chat!
Besides Rotary, I'm also involved with my university's Education Students' Association. Outside of my professional pursuits, I enjoy all things related to music, exploring the different coffee shops in my city, and going on side quests with friends!
Amanda Dang
Administrative Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Club: UCalgary Rotaract
Academic Program:
Neuroscience
Ello! I'm Amanda :D In my free time, I like to write fictional stuff and play MMORPGs. I'm also a coffee addict and can be bribed with Timmies.
Gabriel Aurillo
Administrative Director
Pronouns: He/Him
Club: UCalgary Rotaract
Academic Program: Economics
In my spare time I love building LEGOs (especially plants and architecture), sketching, taking good pictures and trying new food places. I’m interested in public speaking, learning different languages, and it’s my dream to travel around the world!
Hanna Paez
Finance Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Club: UCalgary Rotaract
Academic Program:
Accounting
When I’m not balancing balance sheets, I love going to the gym, going out on the town, watching F1, and increasing shareholder value.
Priyal Pankhania
Finance Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Club: UCalgary Rotaract
Academic Program:
Accounting
I love hiking, crocheting, scrolling reels and most importantly, money.
Alisha Wang
Communications Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Club: Rotaract United
Academic Program: Genetics
Outside of school, I enjoy crafting, cooking, and collecting items. My favourite collections are my mangas and my pocket knives.
Rossamia Lipit
Communications Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Club: ULeth Rotaract
Academic Program: Neuroscience
I love all things fitness, health and nutrition such as hiking, lifting, and running. I also like music, reading, glam, and driving around!
William Zhang
Communications Director
Pronouns: He/Him
Club: UCalgary Rotaract
Academic Program:
Biomedical Engineering
I'm a big outdoors guy, I take my civic duties very seriously, and I enjoy hanging out with my friends (shoutout Leo)!
Albert Kalayil
Fellowship Director
Pronouns: He/Him
Club: UCalgary Rotaract
Academic Program:
Mechanical Engineering
I like playing hockey and soccer!
Neeharika Juyal
Fellowship Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Club: UCalgary Rotaract
Academic Program:
Sociology
I love to play instruments, watch movies, and photography!
Sherame Gallardo
Fellowship Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Club: UCalgary Rotaract
Academic Program: Kinesiology
I enjoy watching movies. Most of the time, I rewatch 2000s or any childhood movies I love. I also like to move my body in general, usually signing up for something new when given the chance to and when I have time!
Ben Hahn
Service Project Director
Pronouns: He/Him
Club: UCalgary Rotaract
Academic Program:
Biomedical Sciences
Whenever I get the chance and the weather's co-operative, I love a good run around my neighborhood. Otherwise, I'm staying indoors and reading or playing candy crush (level 6119 btw).
Keiara Lewis
Service Project Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Club: ULeth Rotaract
Academic Program:
Math & Math Education
I have a passion for all things Rotary, from being the rotary relations in the ULeth Rotaract to a JR leader in RYPEN, I love it all. In my free time you can find me at karaoke, hanging with my friends, going on road trips or shopping. I am also apart of the University of Lethbridge Students' Union, and enjoy all things events and advocacy!
Nael Ali
Service Project Director
Pronouns: He/Him
Club: Rotaract United
Academic Program:
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
Hey I’m Nael and I enjoy planespotting, video games and exploring new places. I also have a fairly new fixation towards collecting colorful / corporate lanyards!
Lam (Mai) Vo
Fellowship Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Club: UCalgary Rotaract
Academic Program:
Economics
Hi! My name is Lam and I recently got into learning the guitar (self-taught through youtube! :). In my free time, I love overestimating myself on hikes, playing tennis, swimming, and exploring downtown Calgary!
Lynn Huynh
Fellowship Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Club: UCalgary Rotaract
Academic Program:
Finance
I love taking part in activities and hobbies that allow me to be active! I enjoy skiing, hiking niche trails, trying out the newest cafes in the city, and experimenting with new recipes!
MEET OUR ROTARACT CLUBS!
In our district, we have two types of Rotaract clubs: Post-secondary-based, which follows their institution's student union guidelines and caters to their students; and community-based, which welcomes all members regardless of whether they're current or former students!
UCALGARY ROTARACt
The University of Calgary Rotaract Club is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown and was chartered in 1987. We currently have 31 active members, with a goal of reaching 50 members by January 1. Our signature events include an annual year-end gala, with a different theme each year and funds raised donated to organizations supporting the cause. Other events include creating care packages and cards for seniors, women, and families, and hosting fellowship events that allow Rotaractors to socialize and build connections. We also volunteer at organizations such as the Drop-In Centre and Calgary Food Bank.
Presidents:
Abigail Abbe (she/her) and Ben Hahn (he/him)
Contact: ucalgaryrotaract@gmail.com
This past March, we raised $16,180 at our annual Spring Fling! The funds raised were donated to the UCalgary Recovery Community (UCRC), an initiative that supports addiction recovery and promotes a recovery-friendly campus community for university students. We would like to thank our generous sponsors, including the Rotary Clubs of Calgary Downtown, Calgary East, Calgary Centennial, Calgary Fish Creek, Calgary Heritage Park, Calgary North, Calgary Chinook, and Rotary Challenger Park, for their contributions. We would also like to thank all the Rotaractors and Rotarians who attended and supported the event, as well as our volunteers whose time and effort helped make the event a success.
ULETH ROTARACT
The University of Lethbridge Rotaract Club was chartered with Rotary International in 2003 and we are sponsored by 3 Rotary clubs in Lethbridge (Rotary Club of Lethbridge, Rotary Club of Lethbridge Sunrise, and Rotary Club of Lethbridge East). We have approximately 20 active members and one of our signature events is Cards for the Elderly. Since being chartered, our club has raised over $250,000 for local and international humanitarian service projects.
President: Kate Brown (she/her)
Contact: katherine.brown@uleth.ca
ROTARACT SAIt
The Rotaract Club of SAIT was chartered in April 2026 and is entering its first Rotary year. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Calgary North, we currently have eighteen members. Our goal this year is to make regular volunteering and Rotary participation part of our club culture through community cleanups, volunteering with organizations such as the Calgary Food Bank, supporting RECPE with its initiatives, and planning our first fundraiser. Our executive team spent the summer building much of the club from the ground up. We are especially eager to connect and volunteer with Rotary clubs throughout the Calgary area.
One of our biggest achievements this year was officially chartering Rotaract Club of SAIT in April. Since then, our club has been grateful to receive a very warm welcome from Rotarians and Rotaractors throughout District 5360.
We have also been proud to support the Rotaract E-Club for Peace and Education (RECPE) through the sale of their Afghan Recipes Calendars. Our club helped raise over $2,000 during this year’s District Conference and an additional nearly $1,000 throughout the summer.
We would like to thank everyone across the District who has supported us, purchased calendars, shared their advice and experience, and shown belief in our new club. The encouragement, kind words, and wisdom we have received have meant a lot to our team as we continue building the club.
ROTARACT UNITED
Rotaract United is a community-based club that was chartered in 2019 with members from both Calgary and Lethbridge. Our goals for the year is to establish our club's structure, find a sponsor club, establish our own event, and grow our membership!
RECPE is our district's Afghanistan-based e-club that was chartered in 2024 and is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cochrane. Our club has 25 members, and is mainly composed of all Afghan women who all have a strong passion in helping their communities, advancing their careers, and introducing the world of Rotary to their region.
RECPE Rotaract Advisors:
Jersey Magtangob (she/her) and Shefa Khairullah (he/him)
jersey.magtangob@gmail.com / khshefa03@gmail.com
After many months of hard work by our members, we had kicked off our Afghan Recipe Calendar fundraiser in May during the District Conference, where we sold calendars that were based around the Rotary year and included Afghan recipes. Thanks to all of your incredible donations, we have raised over $3,000 CAD which will be used to provide technological devices to help women in Afghanistan pursue their education!
We'd like to give a very special thank you to Andrew Bronson, Sue Carpenter-Parnell, the Rotary Club of Cochrane, and the Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park for their generous sponsorships; as well as Rotaract SAIT for all of their help with selling our calendars!
upcoming meetings, events, and ways you can support rotaractors this month
For more information on how you can support us with our initiatives, feel free to contact our committee and the club presidents using their emails above!
MEETINGS
UCalgary Rotaract: First General Meeting
Wednesday, September 23 @ 5:30PM
The meeting will introduce members to our club and Rotary, outline our Fall semester event timeline, encourage members to apply for Associate VP positions and join the year-end gala planning committee, followed by an ice cream fellowship.
ULeth Rotaract: First General Meeting
Wednesday, September 23 @ 6:00PM
At this meeting we will introduce new members to Rotary's area of focus and inform them on upcoming volunteer opportunities.
District Rotaract Committee: First General Meeting
Monday, September 28 @ 5:00PM, online
Learn more about how Rotaract operates both at the club and district-level, what our upcoming initiatives look like, and how you can get involved!
EVENTS
District Rotaract Committee: Sports Fellowship
Sunday, September 27 @ 1:00PM (Rotary Challenger Park)
Join us for a fun-filled day of sports, games, and fellowship between the Rotaract clubs in our district!
UCalgary Rotaract: Tote Bag Making Night
Tuesday, September 29 @ 5:30PM (UCalgary Scholars' Lounge)
Attendees will decorate reusable tote bags to promote reducing plastic waste, followed by a fellowship dinner.
UCalgary Rotaract: Calgary Food Bank Volunteering
Wednesday, September 30 @ 4:30PM (5000 11 St SE, Calgary)
Rotarians and the general public are invited to attend the tote bag-making event and volunteer with us at the Food Bank.
Rotaract Leadership Learning Session (RLLS)
Saturday, October 17-Sunday, October 18 (University of Calgary)
Similar to the PELs/SELs, RLLS is a Rotaract-specific professional learning session and will provide an opportunity for Rotaractors to foster their professional growth and Rotary knowledge through interactive sessions and portfolio-specific presentations.
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT ROTARACTORS
Support Rotaract SAIT in their pursuit of service opportunities!
We are looking for local service opportunities where our members can volunteer alongside Rotary clubs during this period - we would be happy to hear from any Rotary clubs that have upcoming meetings, events, or volunteer opportunities that Rotaract SAIT members could attend or support!
SPECIAL FEATURE
JOIN THE ROTARY-ROTARACT MENTORSHIP pROGRAM!
The District 5360 Rotary-Rotaract Mentorship Program is excited to launch its sixth year of pairing Rotarians and Rotaractors for mentorship that goes both ways!
Rotaractors will be able to draw on the life experiences of Rotarians for their personal and professional development, and Rotarians will also learn more about Rotaractors’ perspectives on digital technology and how they navigate tools like social media, the internet, the proper use of AI, and more.
Don't miss out on a wonderful opportunity to support our future leaders - apply today!
While Rotaractors do amazing work within their clubs, we also think it's important to recognize all of their incredible achievements within their academics, other extracurriculars, and community involvement!
Brannon Sumner (he/him)
Program: BSc Neuroscience
Club: ULeth Rotaract
* Pictured right, back row
Brannon was recently awarded the Arts and Science Gold Medal, which is given by each faculty to their most distinguished graduate for the academic year. Brannon was also recently accepted into the University of Alberta's medical program!
Dac Tri (Justin) Nguyen (he/him)
Program: Supply Chain Management Diploma
Club: Rotaract SAIT
* Pictured second from the left
He recently represented SAIT at the Map the System Global Final at the University of Oxford, a global competition where top student teams from universities around the world use systems thinking to analyze complex social and environmental challenges. Justin was one of three students selected to represent SAIT after his team won the school’s campus competition, earning the opportunity to present their work on an international stage!
CHARITY FEATURE OF THE MONTH
Rotaract clubs in our district have spent the last forty years partnering with various organizations that help support our local communities - take a look at our features for September!
Lethbridge Soup Kitchen
The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen is to alleviate food insecurity in the Lethbridge community. As a club, we routinely volunteer at the soup kitchen.
Trellis Society
The Trellis Society supports individuals and families through food security, education and community programs. Our club partnered with Trellis through our Spring Fling fundraiser in 2025, raising money to support their work and promote awareness of their community initiatives.
Rotaract Toolkit
5 Back to School Tips
Always find your classes ahead of time. Finding your classes ahead of time means you won’t be lost or late to the first day of school. As well, be on time as it sets a good impression early on.
Be involved with your community. Joining clubs on campus such as Rotaract opens endless opportunities for you. It enables you to find like minded people, friends and community you can lean on.
Stay on top of your work. Procrastination is the enemy of all. To avoid feeling overwhelmed during exam season, try your very best to stay on top of your work. A little piece of advice to stay organized is to create a to-do list or a calendar of the things you need to do. Prioritize assignments and tasks that are the most important. Incorporating some kind of structure to you life may minimize some stress.
Attend your classes. Attendance matters! You aren't showing up for you professor, you're showing up for yourself. Whether the class is super easy to you or you're falling behind and think you should catch up first before you attend class, showing up matters.
Be active. When you're nose-deep into schoolwork, students often forget the importance of exercise. Give yourself little breaks from time to time. Imagine studying and just sitting at your desk for hours! Let's get some oxygen to our brains. It may give you a sense of peace from all the chaos. Often taking breaks and doing a little bit of activity can increase mood and productivity for a late study session.
