ROTARY CLUB AWARD ON VOLUNTEERISM 2009

Post date: Jul 15, 2009 10:2:36 PM

Call for Applications or Nominations (deadline 24 August 2009)

RECOGNISING AND CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESSES:

THE ROTARY CLUB AWARD ON VOLUNTEERISM 2009

University of Botswana students are involved in voluntary activities both within their immediate University community and the wider community within the nation. Notable successes have been made over the years in this area, as exemplified by the 2007 Award Recipient, Tshwaraganang Charitable Society, which has been building permanent structures for low income families in rural Botswana. While these activities of societies and individuals have been recognised mainly through articles in the University Newsletter and perhaps messages to the University community, most are not reported and therefore not celebrated enough to encourage other students to engage and excel in voluntary services. Volunteerism is an important approach to national development. When motivated young people engage as volunteers, more is achieved at a lesser cost with significant dedication. Hence, volunteerism needs to be acknowledged and encouraged. The award on volunteerism aims to point out role models for others and to cultivate a culture of volunteerism at UB and BCA.

Rotary International (www.rotary.org) is the world's first service club organization. Its more than 1.2 million members volunteer their time and talent to further the Rotary motto, Service Above Self. As one of five Rotary clubs in Botswana, the Rotary Club Gaborone and its nearly 50 members are involved in multiple charitable projects and decided in 2007 to recognize volunteer efforts by graduate students, graduate student groups, or student societies by sponsoring the Rotary Club Gaborone Award on Volunteerism (a Certificate of Recognition and 6,000 Pula) to be awarded in the month of UB’s Annual Graduation Ceremony. Recognised efforts must be of benefit to either the University community and/or the wider community. Such volunteer efforts can be demonstrated in multiple ways, for example, by:

· Providing exceptional leadership,

· Demonstrating achievement in Arts and Culture,

· Bringing innovation and change,

· Demonstrating acts of courage, bravery and heroism,

· Demonstrating activities beyond the normal call of duty,

· Demonstrating values of honesty, integrity, compassion.

SELECTION CRITERIA: Use this form (download below)

· Applicants have to be graduate students, graduate student groups, or student societies at UB or BCA.

· Recipients are selected on review of information contained in the application and related recommendations.

Selection committee members are UB staff, GSA representatives, and Rotarians.

· Please note: your application is not considered complete unless all application materials, including letters of

recommendation, are received by the stated deadline, incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed.

· Any violations of the rules below will also render your application incomplete.

· DEADLINE: All application materials must be received by 15:00, on Monday, 24 August, 2009.

· Application: Use a computer to complete your form and email the form to deansgs @ mopipi.ub.bw. Answer all questions. Attach separate sheets when requested. Supplemental materials, such as resumes, certificates, newspaper clippings, event programs, or pictures may be submitted (scanned or in hardcopy); submissions will not be returned.

· QUESTIONS: MAJOR emphasis is placed on this section of the application. Your answers should thoroughly describe and explain your experiences in relation to volunteerism, to enable the committee to evaluate your eligibility for selection.

· Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation (including telephone numbers, mailing addresses, and e-mail addresses of recommenders) are required (see form below). It is recommended that one should be from an on-campus person. The other should be from a community person you have worked with through your service work or a beneficiary of your services. Both letters must be current and may not be from a relative. The letters must be confidential. Ask your recommenders to return the recommendation to you in a sealed envelope with his or her signature written across the seal.

· Submit application form on-line, mail in letters of recommendation and supplemental materials to address above, or hand-deliver to the School of Graduate Studies, Building 232, 2^nd floor by 15:00 on Monday, 24 August 2009, latest.