What is Local Committee?
Local Committee is one of three committees in Cal Rotaract devoted to reinforcing Rotary International’s theme of “service above self.” We are committed to this theme by providing service at a local level, specifically in the East Bay/Berkeley Area. This semester, we are excited to present our theme of Racial Justice. Through our events and meetings, we hope to raise awareness for the theme and begin working to make a difference! Some of our past events include a nature hike and trail cleanup with SquashDrive, packaging holiday gifts for underprivileged children in partnership with Operation Christmas Child, and helping to prepare food for the homeless with St. Mark’s Hot Meals program among many others. We are also very open to any new ideas or contributions!
Anyone and everyone is encouraged to come to our committee meetings from 8-9 pm on every other Monday. Here, you will gain friendships, engage in meaningful service, and become better leaders. Join us in planning, discussing, and carrying out the service projects we have planned for this semester!
What happens at committee meetings?
Here, you will learn about all of our service events and why they are important. During each meeting, we will discuss one specific component of our theme and how it ties into the local community. We will have discussions, workshops, and speakers to thoroughly engage these topics. We hope you leave each meeting a bit more educated about that meeting’s topic but also feeling like you know the people you’re doing service with a little bit better.
Why should you join Local Committee?
Our events are focused on making a visible, direct impact on the local community. Even in a virtual semester, all our meetings and events will have some tie into Bay Area communities, perhaps as direct as UC Berkeley itself. You will be able to invest as much time as you’d like, whether that’s as little as just showing up for an event once in a while or as much as taking control of your racial justice education and shaping the direction of the committee. Whatever it is, we hope to get to know you this semester!
Service Projects
Biolink Depot
Bio-Link Depot is a unique organization that provides millions of dollars worth of donated laboratory equipment and supplies for free to educators and researchers, to promote scientific training for students at all levels. We will help prepare and organize for a supply drive for local teachers! Learn more...
Children's Book Project Drive
People can drop off books on November 10 at International Committee Meeting #5, November 12 at Interact Committee Meeting #9, November 16 at General Meeting #6, November 18 at Interact Committee Meeting #10, December 3 at Fall Banquet, or by appointment at [email protected]
For more information, click here.
Initiate Justice
Initiate Justice is a Bay Area-based organization 100% led by people directly impacted by incarceration. Their mission is to end mass incarceration by activating the power of the people it directly impacts. They organize their members, both inside and outside of prisons, to advocate for their freedom and change criminal justice policy in California. Learn more...
Prisoners Literature Project
The Prisoners Literature Project is an all-volunteer, non-profit group that sends free books directly to incarcerated people who request them from throughout the United States. Most American prisons do not allow people serving time to receive books directly from individuals. Instead, books must be sent through “pre-approved vendors,” usually expensive booksellers or publishers. In many cases, those on the inside don’t have anyone on the outside who is willing or able to send books this way. The Prisoners Literature Project responds directly to the book requests of people who are incarcerated and ships hundreds of good books directly to them every week. Learn more…
Berkeley Project
Berkeley Project aims at building a legacy of service and a strong, sustainable partnership between Cal students and the Berkeley community. Each spring, hundreds of Berkeley students from campus unite on one day and work positively impacting the community through a network of service projects. We will participate at the work site that is assigned to us, and one of our members will help lead the project alongside one of us. Here is your chance to help out at Cal’s BIGGEST community service event! Learn more…
Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together is a non-profit organization that helps repair homes in local neighborhoods. They hope to revitalize communities and rebuild lives through home renovations. Learn more…
Questions or Comments? Contact Andy Beyer and Kit Beyer at [email protected]