[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 63

[Garry & Anne Krischock]

 Messages In This Digest (2 Messages) 
  1. 1267: Incoming trustee chair shares vision for Foundation's future From: Sunil K Zachariah 
  2. 1269: Foundation enjoying 'greatest moment,' says Giay From: Sunil K Zachariah 
Messages 
  1. 1267: Incoming trustee chair shares vision for Foundation's future 
Posted by: "Sunil K Zachariah" sunilkzach at yahoo.co.uk   sunilkzach 
Tue Feb 6, 2007 8:51 pm (PST) 
Incoming trustee chair shares vision for Foundation's future

By Antoinette Tuscano 
Rotary International News

The Rotary Foundation's incoming trustee chair shared his dream for 
what Rotary can accomplish with the support of all Rotarians during a 
speech to district governors-elect at the 2007 International Assembly 
in San Diego.

Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair-elect Bhichai Rattakul, who served as 
RI president in 2002-03, said his goal for the upcoming Rotary year 
is to contribute to the bigger Foundation dream of making the world 
better through humanitarian and educational programs. Referring to 
the Foundation's founder, Rattakul said, "Arch Klumph had a dream for 
doing good in the world, and we are indeed fortunate to be a part of 
his dream."

Rattakul outlined a four-point action plan for all Rotarians: Conquer 
polio, support The Rotary Foundation's programs through the Annual 
Program Fund's Every Year, Every Rotarian initiative, ask Foundation 
alumni to join Rotary clubs, and redouble efforts to bring peace and 
goodwill to the world.

Eradicate polio
Although incidents of polio have been reduced from 350,000 cases a 
year to 2,000 since 1988, the promise of eradicating polio has not 
yet been fulfilled. "The battle is still on," said Rattakul. "There 
are still children who need those drops of vaccine."

Polio can be eradicated, but Rotarians must continue supporting the 
effort through their time, energy, and financial contributions. "We 
must pledge to march ahead with even stronger determination until the 
work is done," said Rattakul.

Support the Foundation through EREY
"I dream that every Rotarian will experience firsthand the joy of 
service by actively participating in our Foundation programs next 
year and every year thereafter," said Rattakul. 

The success of Foundation's programs depends on the contributions of 
individual Rotarians. "It is through these individual efforts that we 
have the combined strength to change lives," he emphasized.

Encourage alumni to join Rotary
Rotary Foundation alumni have the same mindset about service as 
Rotarians do, and, when asked, they are likely to join a Rotary club, 
said Rattakul. 

"Let us reach out to them. Let us continue to invest in our 
Foundation alumni by giving them the opportunity to serve others 
through Rotary," he said. 

Foundation alumni include Ambassadorial Scholars, Rotary World Peace 
Fellows, and Group Study Exchange teams.

Foster peace and goodwill
"It was our founder, Paul Harris, who said that 'the way to war is a 
well-paved highway, and the way to peace is still a wilderness.' 
Today, I think many of us feel lost in that wilderness," said 
Rattakul. 

While all of the Foundation's programs contribute to peace and 
understanding in some way, two deal with it directly: Rotary Centers 
for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution and the 
Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies program. 

"Financial support for these programs is crucial. The Trustees have 
set the target to raise US$95 million by 2015, which is necessary to 
fully support Rotary's dream of peace in our world and make it a 
reality," said Rattakul. 

Each year at the assembly, the incoming trustee chair announces goals 
for the coming Rotary year. Governors-elect will take these messages 
back to clubs in their districts as they begin planning for the year 
ahead. 

"Through you, I want to share these dreams with the Rotarians in your 
district and take action," Rattakul said. "Remember, when Rotary 
Shares, our dreams will come true." 

Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

2. 1269: Foundation enjoying 'greatest moment,' says Giay 
Posted by: "Sunil K Zachariah" sunilkzach at yahoo.co.uk   sunilkzach 
Tue Feb 6, 2007 9:00 pm (PST) 
Foundation enjoying 'greatest moment,' says Giay

By Antoinette Tuscano 
Rotary International News

The Rotary Foundation has surpassed its 2006-07 goals, garnering 
recognition for its credibility and reliability, said Trustee Chair 
Luis Vicente Giay yesterday at the 2007 International Assembly in San 
Diego. 

"There's no question about this - our Foundation is enjoying the 
greatest moment in its history," said Giay. 
More than 200,000 foundations operate in the United States, and The 
Rotary Foundation now ranks among the top institutions. This year, 
foundation evaluator Charity Navigator put The Rotary Foundation on 
its list of 50 best organizations with a maximum rating of four 
stars. 

The reasons for the accolades include the Foundation's efficient 
administration, sound investments, and excellent control over its 
programs, said Giay. "Today, one word clearly defines our Foundation 
and that word is credibility."

More important than attention, the organization's credibility has 
attracted new donors, raising the bar on fundraising initiatives. In 
fact, in 2006-07 the Annual Programs Fund set its most ambitious goal 
to date - US$120 million. 

Giay stressed that these fundraising initiatives give the Foundation 
the ability to push priorities such as the organization's peace 
programs - the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and 
conflict resolution and Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies."We're 
working to end war, because we believe peace is possible," said Giay. 

Giay listed the Foundation's recent successes: 

The contributions and revenue from investments in 2005-06 totalled 
$162.1 million. 
The Permanent Fund quickly surpassed the $500 million mark and 
should reach its goal of $1 billion sooner than predicted. 
Excluding investments in PolioPlus, 2,640 Humanitarian Programs 
grants totaling more than $30 million were approved, a record 
amount. 
The number of Matching Grants approved that were sustained by the 
World Fund increased 19 percent, the average amount of each Matching 
Grant increased 28 percent, and the use of the District Designated 
Funds grew by 24 percent. 
Since the creation of Matching Grants, more than 25,000 projects 
have received financing from the Foundation. 
Group Study Exchanges participants surpassed 515 this year, the most 
in the program's history. 


In addition, the Foundation counted more than 1 million Paul Harris 
Fellows. "Soon our Paul Harris Fellows will outnumber our Rotarians," 
joked Giay.

Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary
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