THE RI FOUNDATION CENTENNIAL YEAR

Posted by Bob Kemp (Denver Mile High) rkemp10453@aol.com
 
Push to finish the Rotary Year STRONG.
 
As most of us know, the current Rotary fiscal year ends on June 30th. We will close out the 2016-17 year and begin another new Rotary year on July 1.  The new year will bring new Club Officers, a new District Governor and a new R.I. President. We will reset all of our key metrics for membership and fundraising along with other significant milestones for determining how we are progressing as an organization.
 
Before we shift our focus to the 2017-18 Rotary year, we have some unfinished business that requires all of our attention. That business is to ensure that we finish THIS YEAR strong.  We should all take a few minutes to look at our Club and District Goals and ensure that we are on track to meet or, hopefully, exceed them. Nowhere is this more important than with our fundraising goals.
 
Funds that we contribute to the Rotary International Foundation (TRF) are, in turn, returned to our District and our individual Clubs in the form of District Designated Funds (DDF) as well as the matching funds that TRF provides from the World Fund in support of our Global Grant projects. The level of support we receive from TRF is directly tied to our level of giving. Most of us would like to see Rotary grow and prosper. This requires members, projects and the resources to accomplish those projects. Funding is the fuel that drives our ability to “Do good in the World”. Those words were the stated purpose of our Foundation 100 years ago – and they remain as important today.
 
We have two months left to meet and exceed our fundraising goals for this Rotary year. We have two months left to celebrate the 100th Centennial Year of our Foundation. So how can you help?
 
  • Consider a contribution to TRF. If you have already donated - consider making an additional contribution in honor of our Centennial Year. If you have yet to donate please consider an initial donation – of any size. Rotary International asks it’s members to donate – in some fashion, every year. The Every Rotarian Every Year campaign (EREY) is critical to demonstrate the commitment of Rotarians worldwide to the philanthropic service we provide. This is a key metric as Rotary International seeks to partner with other charitable foundations and NGO’s worldwide. We have skin in this game and the participation of our membership is proof of that.
  • Remember that June 30th is when TRF will close this year’s books. It makes a difference when our contributions hit the books. Like all major organizations – both for-profit as well as nonprofit organizations, Rotary tracks year on year financial metrics. We want to demonstrate growth. While contributions made after July 1 are certainly welcome, they won’t hit the bottom line for this year.
  • Clubs need to ensure that funds that they have collected reach TRF before June 30th. Last minute contributions run the risk of not being included in the final tally for the year. Clubs not attaining a $50 per capita contribution level run the risk of not being qualified to receive matching funds next year. It is best if clubs provide their contributions by early June in order to ensure that they receive proper credit for their participation!   
  • If you need help or if you have questions about our Foundation - just ask! Volunteers from our District Foundation Committee will be in the House of Friendship at the upcoming District conference – so please stop by! We are also always happy to respond to you by email or phone.