Being a Rotarian has many privileges, not the least of which is being able to lead our communities through the service work of our Rotary clubs. In District 9700 we share a variety of common causes based on the reality of being a rural District. We also have a sense of identity with the wider world through our Annual support of The Rotary Foundation which sponsors many projects across this globe of ours, including many that we as a District continue to contribute towards.The Centurion Club was introduced into our District by PDG Peter Walsh in 2000 as a means of encouraging Rotarians to go beyond the support they give through their clubs, by opening up a means by which we can contribute at a personal level to the work of The Rotary Foundation. While recognising that we cannot always give every year, Centurion members are encouraged to give as they can, with a minimum of Aus$100.00 which is tax deductible.
In the last Rotary year, 2015-16, we had a total of 232 Rotarians, partners or friends give through The Australian Rotary Foundation Trust either by cheque, direct debit or credit card. Some clubs collect from their members weekly and forward the total donations on their behalf, while others leave it to the members to organise their giving. With most donations being recorded as Annual Giving and recording Paul Harris Recognition credits to the giver, we receive 50% back in our District in 3 years time to allocate to projects selected from within our District. Those donations made as a gift to the Polio Eradication program of The Rotary Foundation are spent immediately in this work and do not return as a credit to be spent in 3 years time.
Being a Centurion Club member is something any Rotarian can do. The Donation Form can be found on the District 9700 website www.rotary9700.org.au under the Foundation tab, and has already been sent to each Rotary club for sharing with its members.
For the cost of just $2.00 per week, or less than a cup of coffee a fortnight, you can share in this privilege of service and Doing Good in the World. How better can we contribute to Rotary: Making a Difference
PDG Ian Tooke