The following Resolution will be voted on by all members at the Business Meeting at the District Conference 2020. This meeting will be held at the Omni Hotel in Corpus Christi at 8:00 am on May 2, 2020.RESOLUTION
To request the Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees to consider adding Ecologically Sustainable Initiatives and Environment Protection as an Area of Focus.
Proposer: Rotary Club of Corpus Christi Texas, District 5930; U.S.A.
Endorsed by: District 5930 by vote of its District Conference on __________________, 2020.
WHEREAS, according to a U.N. Biodiversity Report issued on May 6, 2019, more than 33% of marine mammals, almost a third of the reef-forming coral and 40% of amphibians are threatened with extinction; and,
WHEREAS, human life is inextricably connected with natural ecosystems, with, for example, three quarters of crops dependent on animal pollination; and,
millions of people; and,
WHEREAS, by creating sustainable initiatives at the global level in Rotary, involvement can be expanded by not only showing that Rotary cares and wants to support important initiatives, but also providing the availability of financial support with Global Grants to support local and regional projects including, but not limited to, the restoration and protection of ecosystems and habitats, reuse of resources and other sustainable projects to preserve and sustain our environment for future generations; and,
WHEREAS, although the current six Areas of Focus have been modified to recognize our environment as an important factor to consider, the inherent restrictions relevant to the six existing Focus Areas prevent approval of many projects that are directly related to ecology and/or the environment; and, therefore,
IT IS RESOLVED by Rotary International that the Board of Directors of Rotary International consider requesting the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation to consider adding Ecologically Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Protection as a separate Area of Focus of The Rotary Foundation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
If implemented, this resolution would result in an increase in expense to the Rotary Foundation which cannot be determined at this time. Annual administrative expenses to support an additional Area of Focus has previously been estimated at US$125,000. In addition, extensive modifications to existing software would be required and project estimates are currently not available for this expense.