Monday was an exciting day for the Rotary Club Midsomer Norton and Radstock as they welcomed nine new members. But these were not your average, middle-aged business and professional people – but all primary school children!

St John’s Church of England Primary School in Midsomer Norton had expressed an interest in developing a new after-school group in the name of Rotary. The new members of Rotary are known as ‘Rotakids’, an initiative of Rotary of Great Britain and Ireland aimed at seven to twelve-year-olds.

The special assembly held at the school on Monday this week, in the presence of Rotary District Governor, Dennis Stevens and Midsomer Norton and Radstock Club President, Patricia Naish, saw the nine children in the Rotakids Club officially recognised as being part of the Rotary family.

The ceremony, held in front of parents, Governors and visiting Rotarians, saw each individual awarded a certificate of membership and a badge. The school also received a certificate of recognition from Rotary of Great Britain and Ireland.

All the children made the Rotakids pledge, which is: ‘As a Rotakid I endeavour to be fair to all, to serve my community and to show respect for others.’

Rotakids meetings run in a similar way to a Rotary meeting, with members elected as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. They have even appointed Press Officers!

The group are looking forward to coming up with lots of ideas to help other people and will meet once a week to discuss and plan projects. Their first projects are a local litter pick and hopefully, engaging with a local residential home to play games with the residents. They will also be planning fundraising events to help the local community and with national and international projects.

Rotarian, Martin Carter, the Rotary club’s ‘Rotakids’ mentor, said: “When I first met with the children, I was really impressed with their enthusiasm and ideas, but what really struck me was why they wanted to be Rotakids. They told me they wanted to help others, make a difference in their community, raise some money – and have fun!

“This is exactly what all Rotarians across the world aim to do, with our motto of ‘Service above Self’.”

St John’s Rotakids’ newly-elected President said: “I relish the opportunity to work with the Rotary and my friends to achieve great projects.”

M. Carter