It’s exciting to see all the schools, colleges and universities come to life again this time of year.  Students of all ages once again take up their journey to reach their goals and dreams.  As we near the end of the first quarter of our new Rotary year, we also think about our goals and dreams for this year—the goals we have for increasing membership, increasing our giving to The Rotary Foundation, and increasing our impact on the world around us. 

 

As a District, our cumulative goal for Foundation giving is $208,850 for the Annual Fund, and $48,275 for polio eradication.  We’re grateful for the part each of your clubs play in reaching these goals.  What strength we have in the common connection we have through Rotary.  Rotary connects us to the world, and Rotary connects us to each other!  

 

Please remember our District Foundation team has resources to help you reach your goals.  Several members of our team are willing to visit your club and promote the Foundation and share the amazing impact the Foundation has in doing good in the world.  We also have fundraising plans we can share with you.  I invite you to reach out to me for any of these resources and I will have our Foundation team respond. 

 

 

I’ve said it many times.  I strongly believe that giving to the Rotary Foundation helps sustain membership in our clubs.  When a Rotarian makes a personal gift to the Foundation, that individual is personally investing in the life-changing work of Rotary.  Once that investment is made, and the impact of that gift is shared, we as members of Rotary naturally want to stay engaged, and keep watching what our investments accomplish!   Helping more of our members make gifts to the Foundation will help you keep them engaged in the mission of your club. My encouragement is to give special effort to those Rotarians (especially new members) who have not made a gift to the Rotary Foundation yet.  Why not ask them to make a gift of $26.50, which matches the very first gift ever given to the Foundation?  It’s a great and easy way to get them started.  

 

 

Even though it’s a couple months away, it’s not too soon to begin planning for your club’s celebration of the Foundation in November.  November is Rotary Foundation month.  Again, we have several folks on our District team who are willing to visit your club and help promote and celebrate the Foundation in your club.  Just let me know, and I’ll make the arrangements.