As we close the 100^th year of the Rotary Foundation, first and foremost, I cannot begin to thank you all for a fabulous Rotary year. Without the support of individual Rotarians and Clubs, we could not have achieved the most fabulous year in our District’s history for gifts to the Rotary Foundation.  Final numbers are yet to come as donations were allowed to be postmarked by June 30^th, but as of today we have exceeded $310,000 in gifts to the annual fund and $116,000 to Polio Plus.

 

Through your generosity, our funds will help vaccinate children against the wild Polio virus, provide clean water to families specifically in Haiti and El Salvador, as well as around the world.  You will create awareness and meet local community needs here in District 5970. We will build playgrounds, supply medical equipment and equipment for schools. The list is endless. I invite you all to become more familiar with the Rotary Foundation grants available to your clubs both locally and globally.

 

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to do good in the world!

 

Michelle Bell

Foundation Chair District 5970

 

Rotary International, just as many of us, realizes the necessity for us all to work together.  The roots of Rotary are based on working with others to accomplish the goal of a better, more peaceful world. Initially, clubs worked on their own or with other clubs in their district.

 

Past RI President and Trustee Chair Charles Keller cautioned: “I live in a partnership world and I see partnerships fail all the time. We have been extraordinarily lucky in how our PolioPlus partnership worked out. So we need to develop future partnerships sparingly and with the greatest of care.”

 

 

In 1988 Herbert Pigman, director of the PolioPlus Immunization Task Force flew to WHO headquarters to propose a partnership with WHO, CDC, PAHO and Unicef. Pigman had just stepped down as RI’s general secretary for this appointment. This marked the inception of GPEI- Global Polio Eradication Initiative. More than a quarter of a century later, that four way partnership endures.

 

Rotary’s relationship with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a partnership in every sense of the word. By merging strengths, both organizations have been able to achieve successes they could never have attained alone.

 

In 1999, the Foundation partnered in the Rotary Peace Centers Program. They sought to pick the universities with the best programs and physical facilities in areas with strong Rotary support.

 

So it is with personal relationships, institutions, and organizations, even corporations and nations. And so it is with the Rotary foundation and it’s linkage with other reliable, like minded humanitarian and government partners joining hands to do good in the world.

There comes a time when some Rotarians transform from being a member of a club to being a Rotarian.  Not everyone makes this transition (and that’s okay).  Attending an International Rotary Convention afforded me this transition.  Suddenly realizing that the good my club does in my community and contributes to District and Global projects is miniscule to the good being done by all Rotarians.  When this light came on for me I knew I wanted to help others in this transition.

 

I have accepted the challenge to encourage Rotarians in District 5970 to become members of the Bequest Society of The Rotary Foundation.  The way I look at it, not all Rotarians can commit to a significant annual contribution. Although I do believe all Rotarians can contribute to the Foundation not all can contribute in the same way.  Rotary understands this and has many designations and ways to contribute. 

 

As I looked at the different ways to give to The Rotary Foundation I found I was comfortable utilizing the Bequest Society.  The Bequest Society is a made up of Rotarians who have included The Rotary Foundation in their estate plans through a variety of means.  The society has many levels starting at $10,000.  These people have informed The Rotary Foundation of their intentions by submitting an official form.

 

In the very short time I have been working on my opportunity two other members of my club may embark on the opportunity for membership in the Bequest Society as well.  I look forward to my opportunity and working with the Rotarians in District 5970 find a comfortable way invest in The Rotary Foundation.

 

John Wasta

Bequest Society Chair District 5970