[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 730

[Garry & Anne Krischock]

 Messages In This Digest (3 Messages) 
  1. 1399: Nominations for Distinguished Service Award due 15 November From: Sunil K Zachariah 

  2. 1400: Trustees, Board approve future vision models From: Sunil K Zachariah 

  3. 1401: New grant structure offers flexibility and strategic focus From: Sunil K Zachariah 
Messages 
  1. 1399: Nominations for Distinguished Service Award due 15 November 
 Tue Nov 6, 2007 4:39 pm (PST) 
Nominations for Distinguished Service Award due 15 November 

As many as 50 Rotarians receive this award each year, which 
recognizes outstanding efforts to serve humanity through the 
Foundation's programs. To be eligible, the Rotarian must be a 
recipient of the Foundation's Citation for Meritorious Service and 
have a history of exceptional active service. Rotarians who have only 
contributed financially to the Foundation are not eligible. 

Nominations must be endorsed by the nominator and at least one other 
Rotarian; one of them must be from outside the district. The current 
governor of the nominee's district must also endorse the nomination.

The Trustees will select the recipients at their meeting in January. 

For more information, contact Foundation staff at 847-866-3303.

Send nominations to:
Planning and Administration Division
The Rotary Foundation
1560 Sherman Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201 USA 
Fax: 847-491-9364

Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary
  2. 1400: Trustees, Board approve future vision models 
 Tue Nov 6, 2007 4:45 pm (PST) 
Trustees, Board approve future vision models

By Janis Young 
Rotary International News 

Foundation programs help children around the world achieve their 
dreams. At their October/November meetings, The Rotary Foundation 
Trustees and the RI Board approved the grant structure and strategic 
cooperative relationships models and a preliminary distributable 
funds model, all of which form the core of the Foundation's Future 
Vision Plan. 

Reflecting input from grassroots Rotarians, senior leaders, and 
outside consultants, the new models simplify Foundation programs and 
focus Rotarian service efforts where they will have the greatest 
impact. With a goal of full implementation by 2012-13, the plan 
provides program options designed to achieve both global and local 
goals and increase the sense of ownership at the grassroots level by 
transferring more decisions to the districts. 

The new grant model offers two types of grants. The first type allows 
Rotarians greater flexibility to use funds to support their broad 
service interests and address immediate needs in their communities. 
The second type offers opportunities to participate in focused and 
sustainable activities with greater support from the Foundation and 
cooperative relationships to make the projects more successful and 
sustainable.

The first type are block grants to districts, modeled after the 
current District Simplified Grants program, that will allow clubs and 
districts greater flexibility in carrying out local and international 
projects. Districts will be able to use up to 40 percent of their 
District Designated Fund to support these grants.

The second type will fund larger, more sustainable projects in one of 
the three to five strategic areas of focus (the Trustees will 
determine these areas at their April 2008 meeting, based on 
demonstrated Rotarian interest and experience in current Foundation 
programs). Under this model, clubs and districts will select from two 
options: club- and district-designed projects and prepackaged 
projects with strategic cooperative relationship organizations. These 
grants will enhance funding opportunities and support efforts that 
will gain more prominence for the Foundation. 

The Future Vision Plan will be implemented in stages as identified in 
the draft transition plan that will be finalized in April 2008. In 
2008-09, the Trustees will select approximately 60 geographically 
dispersed districts to participate in a pilot program for 2009-12. 
The remaining districts will continue to use the current programs and 
grants processes.

In expressing his support for the new models, Foundation Trustee 
Chair Robert S. Scott applauded the more strategic approach to 
service embodied in the Future Vision Plan. "Being everything to 
everyone has left the Foundation struggling to realize its mission. 
The new structure allows us to build on our strengths and realize 
more sustainable outcomes," Scott said. 

"Rotarians have demanded a simpler, more accessible Foundation that 
makes better use of our resources," said Past RI President and Future 
Vision Committee Chair Luis V. Giay. "Our new models for The Rotary 
Foundation all meet the established criteria of a `five-way test': 
They are 1) simple, 2) cost effective, 3) require significant 
Rotarian involvement, 4) have sustainable outcomes, and 5) are 
consistent with the Foundation's mission. We are in the process of 
gradually transforming our Foundation as we prepare to celebrate its 
first century in 2017."

Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary


3. 1401: New grant structure offers flexibility and strategic focus 
 Tue Nov 6, 2007 4:50 pm (PST) 
New grant structure offers flexibility and strategic focus

By Janis Young 
Rotary International News

Under the new grant structure model for The Rotary Foundation, all 
grants will fall into one of two categories and consolidate 
educational and humanitarian programs. The grants will allow Rotary 
clubs and districts to continue to support their broad service 
interests and address immediate needs in their communities, while 
participating in projects with proven results that allocate greater 
resources to larger and more strategically focused projects.

The first type of grants, modeled after the current District 
Simplified Grants, are block grants managed by the districts. 
Designed to give clubs and districts a greater sense of ownership, 
these grants also provide more flexibility in carrying out local and 
international projects that will preferably be completed in less than 
18 months. A broad scope of activities are eligible, provided they 
relate and conform to the Foundation's mission. Clubs and districts 
may form international partnerships to address needs in their local 
communities or abroad and partner with local organizations on 
community projects. 

Although sustainability isn't required, clubs are encouraged to 
consider long-term outcomes in their plans. "We envision that some 
grant projects will serve as a laboratory at the local level for 
projects that could develop into larger and more sustainable efforts 
supported by the more focused grant types," said Trustee Ron Burton, 
a member of the Future Vision Committee. 

In the pilot phase, districts will use available District Designated 
Fund allocations to support the block grants, giving districts more 
control over their DDF. Some examples of projects that might be 
funded include books for a local literacy project, travel expenses 
for a Rotarian providing volunteer service abroad, and tuition costs 
for a scholarship for a local college student.

The second type of grants are more focused and support larger, more 
sustainable projects related to one of the three to five strategic 
areas of focus (to be established by the Foundation Trustees at their 
April 2008 meeting). An area of focus is defined as a priority world 
need identified by Rotarians in which the Foundation is directing its 
resources to have a sustainable and measurable impact that leverages 
the organization's financial and volunteer resources. Based on 
demonstrated Rotarian interest and experience, these areas of focus 
will offer a long-term commitment with potential for sustainable 
beneficiary outcomes. This grant type does not include the current 
corporate project, PolioPlus, or any future one; corporate projects 
will be independent and the highest priority of Rotary International 
and The Rotary Foundation.

Clubs and districts may apply for this type of grant with an 
international partner, club, or district to support a focus area 
project of their choice. Or they may apply for a grant established 
with a strategic cooperative relationship organization designated by 
the Foundation. In an effort to also consider Group Study Exchange 
and Ambassadorial Scholarships in a more strategic way, it is 
possible that the grants will fund participants whose professional or 
study fields relate to the areas of focus. Specific strategies for 
activities and projects are still being developed for review by the 
Trustees in April.

"These larger grants are designed to use Rotary Foundation resources 
more strategically and to address Rotarians' interests," said Trustee 
Sakuji Tanaka, member of the Future Vision Committee. "By building on 
our strengths and concentrating our organizational efforts, we can 
make far more impact, attract new interest from potential strategic 
cooperative relationship organizations, and greatly enhance our 
Foundation's public image."

In addition to the areas of focus, other details about the grant 
structure require further clarification from the Trustees. "Many 
questions still need to be answered on how to apply, approve, 
disburse, and report on these grant types," said Trustee Chair-elect 
Jonathan Majiyagbe, who is vice chair of the Future Vision 
Committee. "The Trustees have asked the Stewardship Committee to 
outline the stewardship needs of the new model."

Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary
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