The Big Picture: Rotary International (RI) & The Rotary Foundation (TRF)
Rotary Magazine, from Rotary International -
Produced for every member of Rotary, Rotary Magazine highlights Service Above Self throughout Rotary.
I found this issue of Rotary Magazine to be exceptional. Worth the Read!
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Rotary International, Rotary Foundation, The Big Picture, Benefits of Membership
The Rotary International Organization includes people who share a passion of service—people helping people. Rotary is made up of three parts: Our clubs, Rotary International, and the Rotary Foundation. Together, we work to make lasting change in our communities and around the world.
The Rotary Foundation is a non-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International’s sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary “to do good in the world.” It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 to more than US$1billion. It has one of the largest and most prestigious international fellowship programs in the world. The Rotary Foundation is a Four-Star Charity with a 100 out of 100 points rating by Charity Navigator in the International Category for Peace, Security and Affairs. Charity Navigator scores more than 9,100 charities internationally and only 13 qualify at this level. The Rotary Foundation is very prestigious and ‘beats’ the competitors by 9 points or more. Our money is hard at work.
Interestingly, our donations pass through Rotary Foundation. Donations from the Annual Fund and Restricted Fund such as the Polio, Donor Advised, Memorials, or Disaster Recovery – are returned after three years into two disbursement categories. The DDF or District Designated Fund receives 50% and the World Fund receives the other 50%. The DDF money is used to help with district grants, small-scale short-term activities that our district uses to match and use locally. That money can also be used for Peace Centres, PolioPlus, and Peace Fellowships. The World Fund is there to match 100% on a global grant. The Beneficiaries are Rotarians, clubs, districts, international partners, scholars, communities, families, and children. It is awesome to know that our annual fund donations have a 0% administration fee attached, and the Global Grants is a small percent fee used to fund the expenses to see the grants and projects be completed.
For those of us not familiar, Rotary International does have a Rotary Disaster Fund. Since Covid 19 this fund has been a focus of topic. The Rotary Foundation supports disaster relief and recovery efforts through grants from the Rotary Disaster Response Fund. Our District 5180 was fortunate and received a $25,000 grant to outreach the first responders and senior citizens in the greater Sacramento area. Rotary International has already funded approximately US$4million to the Covid 19 relief. In May 2020 and with over 65,000 viewers worldwide, The Rotary Foundation’s livestream telethon was well planned and raised US$529,376. Enough to fund 21 grants towards Covid 19 related efforts.
Do you know anyone that wants a full-ride scholarship to study abroad for up to two years for an advanced degree? The Rotary Foundation can help with that too. Our District 5180 has two opportunities. The Global Grant Scholarship and Rotary Peace Fellowship.
The Big Picture
Grassroots at the core, Rotary links 1.2 million members to form an organization of international scope. It started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on February 23, 1905, so professionals with diverse background could exchange ideas, form meaningful lifelong friendships, and give back to their communities. During the past 100 years, the Foundation has spent $3 Billion on life-changing, sustainable projects. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of its members. In June 2018, Rotary adapted a New Vision Statement: “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the glove, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Who We Are
Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.
What We Do
Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our 35,000+ clubs work together to:
- Promote peace
- Fight disease
- Provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Save mothers and children
- Support education
- Grow local economies
Rotary’s Legacy in the Effort to Eradicate Polio Worldwide - End Polio Now and Covid 19
We’re committed to service, and we’re not afraid to dream big and set bold goals. We began our fight against polio in 1979 with a project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines. Today, polio remains endemic in only three countries—down from 125 in 1988. As recently as July 2020, Nigeria has been certified Polo Free. In August of 2020, End Polio Now announced that only 85 cases remain worldwide. 29 in Afghanistan and 56 in Pakistan. Reaching last year’s commitment means The Gates Foundation then matched donations 2-1, which in turn, the Rotary Foundation matched.
Today, the work continues as Rotary is helping service Covid 19 by using our polio networks that have been established for years.
Rotarian’s Unite to Stop Human Trafficking (RUSHT)
This lofty goal was spear headed by Bob Deering, Jr., the CA District 5180 Rotary Founding Chair. The District 5180 public awareness to stop human trafficking campaign was launched July 17, 2018 at a press conference with media outlets. TV and radio locally and as far away as Monterey, Fresno, and Bakersfield began to report RUSHT. More information can be obtained by contacting Bob Deering.
Benefits of Your Membership
Spread the word about Rotary and reach out to people you believe would service well in Rotary. Ask them to join.
- Make a difference in the lives of others
- Develop skills that can be applied outside of Rotary
- Bring your skills into Rotary and share
- Network with other professionals
- Build lifelong friendships
- Make international connections. Rotary Global Rewards lets members receive discounts all over the world and post offers from your own company.