Today's Speaker and Topic was the Rotary Foundation, and from our district Gernot Runschke and Jeff Coil.
Our foundation is unique in that it is internal to Rotary. It is supported solely by contributions from members to further programs that address the greatest needs around the world. We support the environment, peace resolution, education, disease, water sanitation, community, and economic development.
There are three parts to the Foundation: the Annual Fund, the polio fund and endowment fund. We have received many accolades the management of our fund.
The annual fund is the primary funding source for grants and activities. We measure giving from every rotarian, every year. The goal is that we all give $25/year. $100/year is a sustaining member and a Paul Harris Fellow has donated $1,000.
GH has had 186 PH, 56 multiple. Currently 39 members are PH Fellow, 7 of us are PH +8. 38 members are currently contributing. Last year we contributed $6915.50 total, per capita is $117.21. To qualify for grants, we need to have an average of $100/member.
Polio - 2024 cases in Afghanistan 9, Pakistan 29 only place where Polio is endemic. We have national immunization days in Africa, 220 million children are vaccinated, 9 billion oral polio, 1.8 million wild polio cases averted and 2 million volunteers. Every dollar that we give, Bill and Melinda Gates donate 2 additional dollars. We must donate $50 million dollars to get the match. There is a polio plus society as well.
The endowment fund we only spend the interest every year. RI returns 50% of the district's contributions to the annual fund 3 years after they are made. These funds are used as matching funds for District local and District international grants. District Local grants enable clubs to address needs in their district, community and abroad. The minimum local grant size is $500 and maximum is $2500. DI grants are from $1,000- $5,000 per club. Our District 6290 Grants Committee awards, manages and disburses these funds every year. Last year $72,000 was available for district matching grants. Grants must take a grant management seminar, all dues must be paid, and we have to hit $100 per capita.
You can help by: Sign up for Rotary Direct. Participate in the 500 point match by June 9. Meet the $100/capita, have 100% of club members participate, make regular contributions to polio, and leave them some money in your will.
