Ruth Lee, new Foundation Committee Chair
 
Every good building, every family, every successful business or organization must be built on a strong foundation in order to survive and thrive. 
 
The same is true of The Rotary Foundation and District 6420’s Foundation team. With a bit of trepidation, I have taken over the position of District Rotary Foundation Committee Chair (DRFCC) effective July 1. 
 
At this time, I want to express my personal appreciation and the appreciation of all Rotarians in our District to outgoing DRFCC Elise Cadigan (below). She led us through the treacherous waters of Future Vision and the new Rotary Foundation strategy for managing grants. She has served tirelessly within her club (Rockford), the district (6420), and The Rotary Foundation itself. She will continue to be very involved both here and at The Rotary Foundation for the benefit of all of us. Thank you, Elise!
 
 
Looking to the future, we have many opportunities. We have a great team in place (thank you to everyone). We are launching a new major gifts and endowment initiative. More on that to come. I am planning to establish a plan for regular communication among the Foundation leadership members in the district. Hope to work on that while I’m in Montana during July. 
 
 
Remember, because of Rotarians who invest in the service initiatives of the Foundation (like you), women in a rural village South Africa now have access to 50 Hippo Water Rollers which hold 25 gallons of water each -- enough to meet five individuals' needs daily. These clever devices can be pushed like a lawn mower back and forth from water sources, meaning women no longer must spend four to six hours a day collecting and physically transporting water for their families (via five gallon buckets carried on their heads!). This great project was carried out by the Rotary Club of Gibsons, British Columbia, Canada.
 
Because of you, children are safe from the scourge of polio (almost there!). 
 
Because of you, more people have access to sanitation and clean water. 
 
Because of you, more children and adults are literate. 
 
It’s all because of you, and I look forward to working with you as your DRFC.
 
PDG 2013-14