‘Leadership is not defined by a title, popularity, or the number of people who follow you’

Rtr. Philip J. Dolo, a final-year B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering student at Apeejay Stya University, Gurugram, has been appointed President of the Rotaract Club of Apeejay Stya University (RACASUG) for Rotary Year 2026–27. Guided by his theme, “Rise to Lead. Live to Serve,” in this interview, he shares his vision for community service, student leadership, impactful initiatives and collaborations that create lasting change. Read edited excerpts:

Congratulations on being elected President of the Rotaract Club of Apeejay Stya University! What does this achievement mean to you, and how do you plan to approach your new leadership role?

Becoming President of RACASUG is both an honour and a great responsibility. To me, this achievement is not simply about holding a position; it is about being entrusted with the opportunity to lead people, serve communities, and turn ideas into meaningful action.

I approach this role with humility, commitment, and a strong belief in teamwork. My vision is guided by our presidential theme, “Rise to Lead. Live to Serve.” I want to build a club where every member feels valued, develops leadership skills, and understands that even small acts of service can create a meaningful difference. My goal is to leave RACASUG stronger, more impactful, and better prepared for future leadership.

What are your key priorities for the club during your presidential tenure, and are there any new initiatives or projects you hope to introduce?

My priorities are to strengthen community service, develop our members, build partnerships, and ensure that our projects create measurable and lasting impact.

One of our important areas of focus is community learning and livelihood empowerment, particularly initiatives that can support schoolchildren and underserved communities through literacy, digital skills, financial awareness, and practical learning opportunities. We are also exploring community library support and vocational learning initiatives based on local needs.

Public health is another major priority. Our END POLIO NOW — PURPLE CAMPUS initiative aims to bring university students and school communities together to learn about polio prevention and the importance of vaccination. We also want to contribute to broader service efforts, including environmental sustainability, health awareness, peacebuilding, and professional development.

Ultimately, I want us to move beyond organising activities simply to fill a calendar. Every project should have a clear purpose, defined responsibilities, community participation, and outcomes we can document and evaluate.

Rotaract emphasises service above self. How do you plan to encourage students to engage in meaningful community service and create a lasting impact?

I believe students are more likely to participate in community service when they understand the people behind the needs and can see the difference their efforts make.

My approach is to create opportunities for members to contribute according to their interests, skills, and abilities. A student who understands technology can support digital literacy, someone with strong communication skills can help with awareness campaigns, and others can contribute through teaching, organising, fundraising for appropriate charitable causes, or community outreach.

Our recent Charity Dandiya celebration demonstrated how cultural activities can also serve a social purpose. The event combined celebration and community spirit with the intention of supporting charitable care for orphans and elderly residents at Earth Saviours Foundation.

I also want us to listen to communities before designing interventions, work with appropriate local partners, and follow up after each project. For me, service above self means treating people with dignity, involving them in decisions, and creating impact that continues beyond the event itself.

Leading a student organisation alongside academic commitments can be challenging. How do you plan to balance these responsibilities while motivating your team?

As a final-year B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering student, I understand that leadership must go hand in hand with discipline, planning, and accountability.

My approach is to plan activities in advance, establish clear timelines, delegate responsibilities, and maintain regular communication with the team. A president should not attempt to do everything personally. Instead, the role is to provide direction, support members, remove obstacles, and ensure that everyone understands their responsibilities.

I also believe in respecting the academic commitments of our members. We are students first, and our club should help us grow rather than prevent us from fulfilling our academic responsibilities.

To keep the team motivated, I want to recognise individual contributions, encourage members to share ideas, create opportunities for them to lead projects, and maintain an environment where mistakes become learning opportunities. Strong leadership is not about controlling every task; it is about building a team that can work confidently and responsibly together.

How do you envision strengthening the club’s engagement with the university community and collaborating with other Rotaract clubs or social organisations?

I envision RACASUG becoming a stronger bridge between the university, other Rotaract clubs, Rotary partners, and the wider community.

Within the university, I want to encourage more students and faculty members to participate in purposeful activities that connect classroom learning with real-world challenges. Collaborating with faculty and university leadership can help us develop better projects in education, public health, technology, environmental sustainability, and professional development.

Beyond campus, I want to strengthen our engagement with our parent Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Delhi Premier, other Rotaract clubs in District 3011, schools, community institutions, and credible social organisations. Initiatives such as our End Polio Now awareness programme and community learning proposals provide opportunities for collaboration and shared learning.

I also believe partnerships must be built on clear responsibilities, mutual respect, and measurable goals. By sharing knowledge, volunteers, resources, and experience, we can reach more people and develop projects that individual clubs might struggle to deliver alone.

What personal and professional lessons do you hope to gain from this leadership experience, and what message would you like to share with students who aspire to take on leadership roles?

Personally, I hope to develop greater patience, empathy, resilience, and the ability to make thoughtful decisions under pressure. Professionally, I want to strengthen my skills in project management, communication, teamwork, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.

As a Computer Science student with interests in technology and community development, I also see this presidency as an opportunity to understand how leadership and innovation can work together to address real-world problems.

My message to students who aspire to become leaders is simple: Do not wait until you feel completely ready before taking responsibility. Start where you are, use the skills you have, remain willing to learn, and surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow.

Leadership is not defined by a title, popularity, or the number of people who follow you. It is reflected in the responsibility you accept, the integrity you demonstrate, the people you empower, and the difference you help create.

As I often say through our presidential theme, “Rise to Lead. Live to Serve.” Rise when an opportunity calls for courage, lead with integrity, and never forget that the true purpose of leadership is to serve others.