DG Doug's Notes
Calling all FOUNDATON ALUMNI
New Alumni Association seeks to connect Foundation Program Participants worldwide.
If you participated in a Rotary Foundation education program, no matter how long ago, you are eligible to become a member of the newly chartered Rotary Alumni Association of Greater New England (RAAGNE). Membership is open to participants who were on a Group Study Exchange team, were Ambassadorial Scholars, Peace Fellows or Global Grant Fellows, as well as Roteractors and Rotary International Youth Exchange participants. Rotarians who wish to join, but are not eligible as recipients of Foundation scholarships or grants, may do so as supporting members.
The new association received its charter from Michael McGovern, vice chair of The Rotary Foundation, who represented Rotary International at a September 28th celebration dinner at the conclusion of the annual NortheastLink meeting. The organization, based in District 7910, is now formally part of The Rotary Foundation’s Alumni Network. Several alumni were on hand from District 7910 as well as other districts from the northeast to celebrate the occasion. The group, which already numbers 120 but wants to increase membership, will operate primarily through the Internet, modeled on Rotary e-Clubs. They will emphasize fellowship and growth in membership in the year ahead. Their mission is to engage alumni in Rotary projects by serving as advisers on Global Grant projects, sharing their expertise, and perhaps creating their own Rotary grant project.
Two RAAGNE members, Joe Bernardo and Dr. Gani Abazi, have already used their expertise by securing a $35,000 Foundation Matching Grant to supply surgical instruments to the University Clinical Center of Kosovo. Seven clubs in England, Turkey, Kosovo, and the United States participated.
Past District Governor Klaus Hachfeld (D-7910) and the Alumni Association’s first president, Christopher Uschnig of Austria, spearheaded the effort to charter the alumni association. Uschnig was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar in 2012 hosted by Boston D-7930. Other board members are: Joseph Bernardo, USA, secretary, Nicholas Bell, USA, professional development chair, David Gaudet, Canada, treasurer, and Chloe Heung, China, international service chair.
The Association can be used to connect Rotary Foundation alumni with one another via the Internet and in person.
For more information go to the Association’s Facebook page:
facebook.com/RotaryGreaterNewEngland
or their website:
- by Ingrid Detweiler