![\"rotaract\"](\"http:\/\/www.daytonastateinmotion.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/rotaract.jpg\")
<\/a>Students of Daytona State College\u2019s Flagler Campus are organizing efforts for a positive impact on the community.<\/p>\nMid-spring, Flagler Campus Dean Kent Ryan, his assistant, Rhonda Mitchum, psychology professor Dr. Jon McNeeley and Ram Nayar, Senior Professor of Microbiology, several community volunteers and about 20 students huddled into the tiny faculty break room at the Flagler\/Palm Coast campus to discuss forming a chapter of the Roteracht Club, the student version of the Rotary Club service organization.<\/p>\n
Dr. McNeeley, a Roteracht veteran since 1983, signed on to sponsor the student chapter and recruited the heads of the Pierson and Flagler chapters, Tim O\u2019Donnell and Sandra McDermott and Donna Tofai, respectively. Several other key community activists also are assisting the group to adhere to Rotary\u2019s motto of \u201cService Above Self.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nayer \u2500 who also is Director of Academic Research at DSC and head of the Roteracht chapter on the main campus \u2500 \u00a0was delighted to see such an impressive turnout of \u00a0enthusiastic young people in the community. McDermott spoke about current community efforts, such as the Rotary food drive aimed at Flagler\/Pierson’s large homeless population, and expressed a strong desire to expand those efforts through the DSC student chapters.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Donnell pointed out that his chapter supports a struggling community that is mainly living under the poverty line. As such, it is in great need of constant assistance.<\/p>\n
\u201cRoteracht is a networking opportunity for meeting people of merit in the community,\u201d he said, adding that for those looking for ways to enlarge their social circle with people of more character and a greater willingness to make a positive impact where they live.<\/p>\n
At the second gathering of interested members last month, they discussed activities for the group and a partnership with the Veteran\u2019s Club.\u00a0 DSC student and Navy veteran Travis Lang suggested that the new club join the effort aid vets in their attempts to feed hundreds of homeless children in the area.<\/p>\n
In Flagler County alone, there are over 100 homeless families with kids enrolled in school, many of them saving their school lunches to bring home and share with the rest of the family. Bunnell Elementary has a reported count of 40 students faced with this dilemma. The Veteran\u2019s Club has donation boxes placed sporadically around the Daytona and Flagler\u00a0 campuses, where non-perishable foods can be deposited for the cause. The items are then taken to shelters and collection points, where they can be disbursed to those in need.<\/p>\n
Dr. McNeeley classifies these efforts as \u201cnoble\u201d and said that \u201cI’m happy to see Flagler connecting with an organization that teams leaders and people eager to join the largest service organization in the world, in efforts to make a positive impact on this community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyone interested in joining can contact Sandra McDermott at Sandra@coastlittle.cc<\/a> or stop by the Flagler Campus\u2019 student office in Building 2.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Students of Daytona State College\u2019s Flagler Campus are organizing efforts for a positive impact on the community. Mid-spring, Flagler Campus Dean Kent Ryan, his assistant, Rhonda Mitchum, psychology professor Dr. Jon McNeeley and Ram Nayar, Senior Professor of Microbiology, several community volunteers and about 20 students huddled into the tiny faculty break room at the Flagler\/Palm Coast campus to discuss forming a chapter of the Roteracht Club, the student version of the Rotary Club service organization.<\/p>\n Dr. McNeeley, a Roteracht veteran since 1983, signed on to sponsor the student chapter and recruited the heads of the Pierson and Flagler chapters, Tim O\u2019Donnell and Sandra McDermott and Donna Tofai, respectively. Several other key community activists also are assisting the group to adhere to Rotary\u2019s motto of \u201cService Above Self.\u201d Continue reading Flagler Rotaract students aim to make difference<\/span>