Meet Courtney
Aussie Rotaractor Courtney relocated to Manchester in 2024 in search of adventure (and to escape the Australian weather). She aims to "Rebuild & Reengage" Rotarians and Rotaractors with each other and outside of Rotary, Courtney is a Project Manager and lover of sports, history and beer.
Courtney Krahe
First joining the Sydney City Rotaract Club in 2013, Courtney is now a member of the Rotaract and Rotary Club of Manchester. We asked her some questions to shine a light on this person of action.
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Member - Interact Club (2009-2010)
Rotary Youth Exchange to France (2012)
Member - Rotaract Club of Sydney City (2013)
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards ~ RYLA (2014)
Charter Vice President of the Rotaract Club of the University of Technology Sydney (2014/15)
Participant - Serbia RoundTrip (2015)
President - Rotaract Club of the University of Technology Sydney (2015/16)
RYLA Leader (2016)
Chair, East Coast Rotaract Round Trip (2016)
Member - Sydney City Rotaract (2016-2018)
Participant - Hungary RoundTrip (2017)
Participant - Rotaract Model United Nations Assembly Istanbul (2019)
Charter Member - Rotary Social Impact Network (2020)
Member - Rotaract Club of Burwood (2020 - 2022)
District Rotaract Representative 9675 (2020-2022)
As part of Rotaract, what projects have you been involved with? What did these project’s achieve, how was this made possible and why is this important to you?
One of the projects Sydney City was involved in was Kiva microfinancing. Each meeting members could make a financial contribution to one of three causes, one of them being Kiva, through “happy coins”. This could be what they have achieved since the last meeting, or something positive (instead of a sergeant in arms) and this would be invested in the club's account. This continual small contribution over time, adds up, and we were able to help several women in need over my time at the club. Being able to make an immediate impact to someone’s life without having to be apart of a large scale multi-month event was actually really nice. It shows how every little bit can help.
How have you been able to connect with others thanks to Rotaract?
One of the best decisions I have ever made was going on RoundTrips and attending conferences (in Europe and Australia). Round Trips are an opportunity to really understand the culture and language (of the host country) but also of your fellow trippers. I have made friends for life through Round Trips and I have learnt so much from those around me.
Being in District 9675 (Sydney, Nepean, Macarthur and Illawarra) for just short of 10 years I was able to grow within Rotary and take advantage of the many opportunities that are around. When I became District Rotaract Representative I was supported by the District Governor Train and had the fortune to call them my mentors. These relationships have helped me grow personally and professionally.
Since joining Rotaract I have close friends across the globe who continue to enrich my life!
What opportunities has Rotaract given you to go beyond your local community?
As District Rotaract Representative I led the project ‘100 Year 100 Trees’ in commemoration of the 100 years of Rotary in Australia. The goal was that across the Multi-District Information Organisation Rotaract Clubs would collectively plant 100 trees in their local areas. Targets were smashed and over 500 trees were planted. Getting Rotaract clubs in Australia to work on a combined project was exciting albeit challenging, but tree planting in a time of climate uncertainty when there had been so many natural disasters in Australia at the time was really important.
How do you think you’ve grown as a person thanks to Rotaract? What opportunities have you had for your own personal development?
Through my Rotary journey I have learnt a lot about not only myself (I didn't know I was a tiny bit of a control freak until I was 21…). The leadership and communication skills I have gained from the various clubs, roles and training I have been a part of has helped me not only in Rotary where people listen to what I have to say, but professionally where I have had the opportunity to lead projects and have experience well before my peers.
Why should someone get invoiced with Rotaract and what advice would you give them?
Rotaract is one of those things where you get as much out of it as you put in. It is possible to be a member and skirt on the edges and not reap the many benefits, but if you put yourself out there (can be scary) then you will not only find wild fulfillment, learn a bunch of skills, but also, will find friends and a community for life.
What’s your proudest moment as a Rotaractor?
This is hard! Chartering a Club was really exciting! Supporting others as District Rotaract Representative to Charter Clubs in the middle of Covid was also a really awesome experience! On one hand I was folding clubs and on the other, new clubs were sprouting in new areas.
How does your Rotaract work reflect your passions or career goals?
I love a plan, and being able to help people.
(Project Manager anyone?!)
If you could describe Rotaract in three words, what would they be?