Marilyn Bedell provided an overview the Rotary Foundation
Her presentation covered the following: The Rotary Foundations mission and areas of focus; she described ways our donations have been used in District 7850; and provided information about two other important Rotary Foundation initiatives, Polio and the Rotary Peace Centers.
She started by reminding us of Rotary International's vision statement: Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. Marilyn shared that personally, Rotary has transformed her life, and provided many opportunities to learn more about the world and to develop friendships across the glove that won't have been possible without her membership in Rotary.
The mission of the Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.
Our Rotary district receives 50% of the money we donate to the Foundation to determine how Rotarians in District 7850 want to use the money for both District and Global Grants. The money we give this year will comeback to our District in 3 years. During those 3 years, the interest from the money is used to support all the administrative cost for the Foundation, and then the goal is to make sure that all the money raised this year will be used in 3 years to do good in the world.
The money can be used in any of the 7 Areas of Focus:
The Rotary Foundation is one of Charities Navigator's top rated charities.
Marilyn reviewed all the grants global (2019 to 2021) and district that have been approved for 2021/2022. If you would like a copy of the grants let her know and she will send them to you.
Why is it important for all of us to give to the Rotary Foundation?
The Annual Fund makes it possible for Rotary clubs to transform lives worldwide. Your generous support funds local and international projects that advance The Rotary Foundation’s mission. All contributions to the international fund are spent on quality international Rotary projects.
You all will be receiving a letter from our Rotary Foundation Committee (Ron Bedell, Karen Clements and Phil Rentz) to remind you that November is Rotary Foundation month. Please consider making your personal, voluntary contribution in November, but more importantly by 30 June 2022.
Marilyn then briefly covered the End Polio Now campaign, and out Rotary Peace Centers.
Polio, we have made huge strides in eradicating polio, but our work isn't done.
As of 21 September 2021
- Summary of new WPV and cVDPV viruses this week (AFP cases and environmental samples):
- Since January 1, 2021, there have only been two young boys diagnosed with paralytic Wild Polio Virus. One in Afghanistan and one in Pakistan.
- Circulating Vaccine Derived Poliovirus in 2021 (2020)* Global Total: 305 (381) *Data as of 21 September 2021
A new vaccine to that is hoped will curb vaccine derived cases is in phase one trials. The trials are happening at DHMC and UVM. The are looking for volunteers from age 18 to 45 to receive the vaccine. You can read more by clicking here.
Peace Centers
To make peace in the world, we need more peace-builders. The Rotary Peace Centers program, a dynamic and ambitious project of The Rotary Foundation, identifies highly qualified professionals and trains them to become agents of peace.
Peace Center Locations
•Masters Programs: Rotary's Peace Fellowship is a highly competitive educational program that awards 100 fully-funded masters degrees or professional certificates through one of six institutions designated as Rotary Peace Centers. These world-class programs are located in Australia, England, Japan, Sweden, Thailand, Uganda (new) and United States.
•The Rotary Foundation received in 2021 a > US 10-million-dollar gift to establish a peace center in the Middle East from the Otto and Fran Walter Foundation.
Chelsea Keyser attended the Peace Center in Bradford England in 2012/2013. She was sponsored by the Rotary Club of South Burlington, VT. She wrote the following to Marilyn:
Dearest Rotarians, your investment in the Rotary Peace Fellowship is not in vain. Peace fellows are contributing daily to global peace in the most diversified way. Members from my Rotary Peace Fellow class, 2012-2013 at the University of Bradford, are working for the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights investigating gender violence in North Korea and Kosovo; supporting Disbarment Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) efforts in the Central African Republic; supporting post-conflict civil society in Liberia; the list carries on. Rotary’s investment in the Peace Centers and the Peace Fellow program is truly contributing to the prevention, resolution and stability of peace throughout the world.
Want to learn more?
Rotary Learning Center – My Rotary — Learn everywhere and anytime with Rotary’s Learning Center. Take courses, find resources, connect with an online community, and track your progress. Sign in with your My Rotary account at rotary.org/learn, or find the link on My Rotary under the Learning & Reference tab. Courses are grouped by topic. You can filter by topic (e.g. Foundation) to find courses when you are in the Learning Center.
Marilyn Concluded her talk with this slide showing a septic system installed with a grants received after Tropical Storm Irene, and a septic system in Ghana supported. Reminding us that funds from the Foundation can be used locally and internationally.
