[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 578

[Garry & Anne Krischock]

There are three messages

1 Convention caps off Rotary's 101st year

By Joseph Derr
Rotary International News

Copenhagen, Denmark - As Rotarians looked ahead to Rotary's 102nd 
year, the 2006 RI Convention drew to a close the night of 14 June. 
This concluded the first Rotary convention to be held in two 
countries. The event drew more than 14,700 attendees from about 140 
countries.

After presenting his family and his wife, Lorna, to the audience, RI 
President-elect William B. Boyd gave an address echoing Jeffrey 
Sachs's earlier comments that day. Boyd stressed that Rotary provides 
an incredible example of how to overcome obstacles of bureaucracy and 
intolerance.

"Through Rotary, we have had the chance to touch lives in ways that 
we could never have imagined before we were part of [it] - through 
the tremendous power of our vast network of clubs and members," Boyd 
said.

He went on to emphasize the power of Rotary through club service and 
fellowship as something that transforms the lives of members and the 
community. He offered examples of how Rotarians came to the aid of 
thousands following devastating disasters, such as the south Asian 
tsunami.

Boyd is continuing RI President Stenhammar's emphases of water 
management, health and hunger, and literacy. He also adds a fourth 
emphasis: family of Rotary.

Boyd also acknowledged the challenges of keeping Rotary's ranks going 
strong. He stressed that Rotary must keep strengthening existing 
Rotary club programs and projects. "The daily work of making a Rotary 
club good, inviting, and useful is up to every one of you," he said. 

"We must make our Rotary clubs and activities welcoming to those of 
all ages. Club projects can involve family members, and clubs could 
hold events that are affordable and appealing to all," Boyd said.

He closed by asking all Rotarians to put the coming year's theme, 
Lead the Way, into action. "We are not content with the status quo, 
and we do not look at a problem only to say, `Someone else will solve 
it.' We are the ones who ask, why not us? And we are the ones who 
must Lead the Way. This is an affirmation of my belief in the power 
of Rotarians to change the world, one positive act at a time."

2007 Rotary International Convention Committee Chair Julio Sorjus 
then arrived, dressed as a rugged American pioneer to promote the 
next convention in Salt Lake City. The city's mayor - and Rotarian - 
Ross "Rocky" Anderson promised an unforgettable experience in the 
Rockies for next year's attendees. About 1,650 Rotarians have already 
registered for the convention, the highest advance registration in 
recent memory.

Then it was time for a heartfelt farewell from RI President Carl-
Wilhelm Stenhammar. In his closing comments, Stenhammar stressed that 
during the year he has met with Rotary members all over the world and 
has seen the strides made to get back to basics.

He inspired attendees with a story about a Zone Institute meeting he 
went to in Korea, which 219 Rotarians attended. "As the institute 
came to a close, someone raised a resolution that every participant 
give US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation," Stenhammar said. "It only 
took 30 seconds to raise $219,000 for our Foundation."

"It's been splendid and extraordinary for me to meet all of you, and 
I hope that every one of you will meet me on Rotary paths [in] the 
future," he said. 

Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

2  Jocelyn I. Bolante, Treasurer, Rotary International
Report to the RI Convention, Malmö, Sweden, and Copenhagen, Denmark
June 2006

It is my honor to serve as your treasurer during this first year of 
Rotary's second century. It is also my duty, under the RI Bylaws, to report to you on 
the current state of Rotary International finances. Thus, I will comment based on the 
audited financial results of our fiscal year ended 30 June 2005, Rotary's centennial 
year, which are summarized in Rotary's 2004-05 annual report.
I will also apprise you of the current status of this year's 
performance and the financial outlook for the coming years.
All dollar references are in U.S. dollars.
Rotary's Centennial Year 2004-05 Results
Revenues totaled $78.6 million, $7.4 million more than budgeted.
Revenues from services and other activities were $4.5 million more 
than budgeted, primarily because attendance at the 2005 RI Convention was higher 
than anticipated in the budget. The net investment return of 7.5 percent exceeded the 
5 percent budgeted rate and contributed $5.4 million in revenue, resulting in a 
$2.4 million positive variance.
Revenues were $1.5 million less than the previous year, when the 
assessment for the Council on Legislation recorded an additional $3.3 million. Revenue 
from dues increased $4.4 million as a result of a $4 per capita increase in 
annual dues. However, this increase was offset by a $3.0 million decrease in revenue from 
services and other activities, primarily due to lower attendance at the 2005 
international convention as well as the absence of the Council of Legislation. In addition, 
investments generated $2.9 million less in revenue as the markets reverted to a more normal 
return environment.
In 2004-05, approximately 59 percent of our revenues, or $46.3  million, came from
membership dues. Services and other activities generated 34 percent, or $26.9 million:
publications ($7.9 million), One Rotary Center ($4.7 million), the international
convention and meetings ($9.6 million), and licensing and other sources ($4.7
million). Investment return represented 7 percent of total revenues.
Overall, expenses totaled $69.7 million, $3.8 million less than budgeted. Expenses
related to operations were $5.8 million lower than budgeted, due primarily to the
continued efforts of senior leaders, volunteers, management, and staff to control
spending. Expenses related to services and other activities were $2.0 million higher
than budgeted, which can be attributed primarily to increased expenses for the 2005
convention.
Overall, expenses were $2.7 million less than the previous year. 
Expenses related to operations were $3.4 million higher than the prior year, chiefly as a 
result of increased 1 of 3 spending on communications to promote Rotary's centennial and public 
image.
Expenses related to services and other activities decreased $6.1 million, which can be
attributed to the absence of the Council on Legislation and lower convention costs.
Net assets increased by $7.8 million over the previous year.
Fiscal year 2004-05 was the first year that reflects the $4 per capita dues increase
approved by the 2004 Council on Legislation. This additional revenue enabled RI to
revitalize services provided by the Secretariat and reinstate essential information
systems projects that had been deferred. RI was also able to launch its award-winning
Humanity in Motion public image campaign in time to take advantage of expanded
publicity during Rotary's centennial year.
Status of Current Year's Financial Performance
Revenues for the 10 months ended 30 April 2006 are $2.4 million higher than budget,
primarily as a result of favorable investment returns. Dues revenue totaled $50.5
million, which is in line with the budget. Furthermore, all expense areas are under
control, and positive budget variances continue.
Assuming stability in the financial markets for the balance of this fiscal year, revenues
will exceed expenditures for the full year, making it unnecessary to access RI's
reserves.
During this second year of dues increases, the Secretariat is maintaining a high level
of support and services to Rotarians. The increased dues revenue has allowed RI to
improve communications, enhance training and development tools, and provide
increased membership support.
Future Financial Outlook
Finally, let me comment briefly on the financial outlook for the future. The per capita
dues increase and a return to normal spending following the centennial year have
allowed RI to balance the budget for fiscal year 2006-07. The five-year financial
forecast anticipates revenues exceeding expenditures through fiscal year 2007-08.
However, the forecast, which reflects stable membership, net investment returns of 5
percent, and low inflation, projects that expenditures could begin to exceed revenues
in fiscal year 2008-09. In an effort to continue RI's support of the programs and needs
of Rotarians while maintaining a balanced budget, the Board will use RI's available
operating reserves and, if necessary, may recommend to the 2007 Council on
Legislation a modest increase in per capita dues beginning in fiscal year 2008-09 or
later.
I am pleased to report that Rotary International's financial position remains strong and
that the Board and management consistently and conscientiously address current and
future challenges. I am confident that Rotary International can and will be able to
support and strengthen Rotarians' service efforts throughout the world for many years
to come.
I wish to thank my fellow RI Board members for their full support and the general
secretary, the general manager-chief financial officer, and all the staff involved in
Rotary International financial matters for their dedication and cooperation. I also
thank the members of the RI Finance Committee for their very valuable advice and
support.

Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

3  Convention feature helps reconnect families

By Joseph Derr
Rotary International News

Denmark, Copenhagen - Although the 2006 RI Convention has ended, the 
reconnecting experience is not over - especially for those Rotarians 
exploring their Swedish or Danish roots. 

The convention's genealogy booth, coordinated by the Federation of 
Danish Genealogical Societies and the Copenhagen Genealogy 
Association, was just the place to indulge in free genealogical 
research. Rotarians with Nordic ancestry, such as Doug Peterson, 
found a treasure trove of genealogical data linking them to their 
Danish and Swedish relatives. 

Gitte Bergendorff Høstbo and several other genealogical researchers 
were available to help Rotarians sift through birth, death, and 
marriage certificate databases, as well as other online resources. 

"I found information here about my father and my grandfather, who 
emigrated from Sweden to the U.S. in 1912," said Doug Peterson, a 
member of the Rotary Club of Ottumwa, Iowa, USA. "This is the first 
time I've really pursued any detailed information about my family. 
Genealogy is very addictive" 

Peterson said his third convention was a not-to-be-missed experience 
because of his Scandinavian roots. 

Gary Jensen of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise, California, 
USA, built upon research he had done before leaving. Jensen picked 
this convention because his roots are here. 

Although Jensen knew the full name of his grandfather, who emigrated 
in 1904 to the United States, and even the name of the family farm in 
Funen, Denmark, he had few other details. At first, he thought after 
the convention he might just try to find the farm. His genealogist 
wife, Cheryl, suggested he dig deeper. She thought he should try 
finding living relatives. So he wrote an article describing his 
grandfather in as much detail as he knew, and submitted it to the 
local Funen newspaper. 

"Two days after it was published, I got an e-mail from his dad's 
cousin with the last communication between my grandfather and his 
brother," said Jensen. "That was the first contact in 100 years 
between the families." 

Jensen's Danish relatives didn't know what had happened to Jensen's 
grandfather after he emigrated. This week, the Petersons will travel 
to Funen to meet 30 relatives for the first time. He may even visit 
the local Rotary club, too. 

Next year's convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, will be even 
more interesting from a genealogical perspective, especially for 
North Americans. The 2007 host city is home to one of the largest 
genealogical databases in the world, the Family History Library of 
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Convention 
organizers are already planning this to be a major part of next 
year's House of Friendship. 

Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary
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