MB#88: 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙂𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝘼𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙖.

[MemoirBlogthon #88] For years, I was known in Rotary circles as the ‘Career Man,’ driven to take my successful Career Guidance projects overseas through the coveted Group Study Exchange (GSE) program. Despite my commitment, three rejections on "flimsy grounds" left me deeply disappointed, leading me to believe the program favored major donors or past presidents. Yet, guided by my father’s motivational quote—"When one door closes, another door opens"—I pivoted. This led to a pioneering opportunity: becoming a Rotary International Volunteer. This memoir details my historic one-month assignment in Melbourne, Australia, where I worked with the Rotary Club of Braeside to establish career guidance modalities at universities and colleges, making me the first in my Rotary district to undertake a career project in an advanced country, securing a lifetime award and opportunity.

MB#88A: Bridging the Gap Between Students and Vocations in Advanced Australia, Sponsored by Rotary International

The Pursuit of a Global Mission: The GSE Hurdle 🚪

My journey with Rotary International began in 1995 when I joined the local Rotary Club of Secunderabad. Over the years, I embraced the Rotary ideal of "Service Above Self," dedicating myself to humanitarian service and upholding high ethical standards. My profile quickly expanded: I served as Director in various clubs, held District Chairmanships for vocational service and Rotary volunteers, and was the Charter President (2012) of the Rotary E-Club of District 3150—the first web-based Rotary Club in India. My dedication to Career Guidance & Vocational Service projects was relentless, earning me a dozen citations from Rotary International Presidents and District Governors since 1996.

In Rotary circles, I earned the unofficial title of the 'Career Man,' having successfully completed over 200 Career Guidance programs in schools and colleges, inviting specialists and moderating sessions to empower youth.

My primary ambition was to take this successful model international via the Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) program, ideally as a team leader. The GSE program sends young professionals to a paired Rotary district abroad for cultural and vocational exchange. Though I was vocationally eligible, I was denied the opportunity three times on what I perceived as "flimsy grounds." I realized that to be selected as a GSE team leader, one often needed to meet unspoken criteria, such as being a major donor or a past president—criteria I did not meet. This disappointment hit hard.

Paternal Wisdom: A New Door Opens 💡

Dejected, I shared my frustration with my father. His response was the precise motivation I needed: "When one door closes, another door opens." He advised me to work on my mission, focusing on the quality of my service rather than the route I took to achieve it.

It was a timely suggestion from a Past District Governor, ( Late)Dr. Vijendra Rao, who provided the solution: the Rotary Volunteer (RV) program. This scheme allowed an individual Rotarian like me to apply for a grant to utilize expertise and skills to serve an overseas Rotary Club project, with their home club sponsoring the endeavor. The RV program, supported by a Rotary Foundation Grant, covered the lowest available round-trip economy airfare and a small per diem.

I applied immediately, registered myself, and soon received an invitation for an assignment from the Rotary Club of Braeside in Melbourne, Australia (RI District 9810). This unique opportunity meant I would spend one month—August 11 to September 9, 2002—replicating my career guidance project in an advanced country. My travel expenses were sponsored by Rotary International, and the local club members, who were also vegetarians, warmly provided home hospitality.

The Melbourne Project: Bridging Students and Vocations

My assignment in Melbourne was intensive, revolving entirely around the Career Guidance Project. The host club arranged an initial meeting with Club President Rtn. Joe Calvo and District Governor Rtn. John Glenn on August 11, 2002, to finalize the events. The overarching goal was to "bridge the gap between the students and the vocations" by establishing sustainable career guidance modalities.

I collaborated with several institutions, initiating new avenues for collaboration by local Rotary clubs:

Westall Secondary College (August 16): I apprised Career Counsellor Ms. Alison Pictard and Assistant Principal Mr. Geoff Flower on the benefits of Rotary's project. This resulted in the club committing to launch its career guidance initiative there in September 2002.

Coomara Secondary College (August 23): My orientation session with Career Counsellor Ms. Maria Bravis led to immediate arrangements for continued counseling sessions by me, organized industrial tours to Rotarian establishments, and sparked the college's interest in chartering an Interact Club.

Monash University, Clayton Campus (September 4): I initiated a career session for graduating students on resume preparation and interview techniques. Discussions with Senior Counsellor Mrs. Gilda Moss established a future association where the Rotary Club would invite vocational specialists to speak on campus.

RMIT University (September 5): I met with Ms. Kath Lynch and Associate Professor Mr. Issac Balbin, resulting in plans for the host club to invite visiting Rotarians from other countries for guest lectures, especially to counsel international students on job-oriented Post Graduate courses.

Visy Cares Centre (September 2 & 6): Following my initiation, the host club decided to collaborate with this non-profit to supplement their efforts in offering vocational counseling and job opportunities to youth.

Beyond the educational institutions, I engaged with the Chartered Secretaries of Australia, Victoria Branch, convincing Chairman Mr. Ross E. Mallett to associate with the Rotary Club in presenting on the "Career as Company Secretary." My visit to the Career Expo and discussions with administration at Melbourne University further opened doors for future Rotary association in career guidance.

MB#88B: Melbourne trip glimpses of Rotary Project.

Spreading the Rotary Message and the Farewell 🤝

During my month-long stay, I gave multiple presentations on “Rotarians Way to Walk with Youth,” sharing the success of my home Rotary Club of Secunderabad project and my services in Melbourne. These talks were given at various local clubs, including the Rotary Clubs of Dingley Village, Aspendale, and Chadstone, and at the RI District 9810 Club Presidents’ meeting.

I was also invited as a special guest to several social functions, including the 55th anniversary celebration of Indian Independence and the Interact 2002 reception. I even met with Mr. Hong Lim, Member of Parliament for Clayton, who showed keen interest in associating with the club for community benefit.

Before concluding my service, I created brochures, flyers, and feedback sheets for the Braeside club's ongoing career events and coordinated with the District webmaster to upload new web pages. The farewell meeting on September 6 was attended by District Governor Rtn. John Glenn, marking the successful conclusion of the assignment.

The Lifetime Achievement 🏆

Upon completing the assignment, the satisfaction was immense. Not only did I achieve my ambition of taking my career project international, but I also made my first international trip and gained insights from my father, who had visited Australia earlier.

This experience felt like earning a lifetime award and opportunity. At the time, Rotary Volunteers were often doctors and academicians deputed to serve in backward countries. I was the first person in my Rotary District to be sponsored by Rotary International to go to an advanced country, Australia, specifically to replicate a Career Guidance Project. This unique recognition affirmed that dedication to one's mission, fueled by paternal wisdom and sheer persistence, transcends formal selection criteria, opening doors where one least expects them.

MB#88: Quiz

MB88-Question: Which major Rotary International program did the author initially fail to secure three times, despite his eligibility?

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• A. Polio Plus.
• B. Group Study Exchange (GSE).
• C. Matching Grants.
• D. Rotary Peace Fellowship.

MB#88: Quote

"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." – Pablo Picasso