Steve spoke of the Disaster Aid Conference Friday 5 – Sunday 7 May, could be of benefit, Tony has attended in the past.

 

This is the opportunity to inform and equip members of your team for their respective roles and responsibilities, inform newer members to Rotary District and its collective ‘Knowledge Bank’, Resources and ‘Personnel’.

 

Michael has received a donation of gift cards from a golf pro-shop in Mentone.  As the voucher’s will expire prior to our Dinner Auction, Keith McLeod auctioned one card of $100 value, $25 redeemable and a $60 gift value tonight. Purchased by Ian Cairns for the bargain price of $35.00.

Peter Symons spoke of the on-going work undertaken by Rotary Foundation.  Beginning at 1917 convention, outgoing Rotary President Arch Klump proposed setting up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” That one idea, and an initial contribution of $26.50 set in motion a powerful force that has transformed millions of lives around the globe.

 

Through our Foundation, Rotary members have supported thousands of projects to provide clean water, fight disease, promote peace, provide basic education, and grow local economies. We’ve also been a leader in the fight to eradicate polio worldwide.  The single vaccination as a child may not be total protection in adulthood.

 

In 1979 the 3H (Health, Hunger & Humanity) Program was launched.  The program was developed to improve health, alleviate hunger, and enhance human and social development. Rotary members use the grants to create access to clean drinking water, support literacy programs, provide medical care, and more — particularly a project to purchase polio vaccine for children in the Philippines.  Through the consistent work undertaken by Rotary Foundation what commenced as 350,000+ polio cases presenting per annum spread over 125 countries, in 2016 only 37 cases in 3 countries. 

 

To mark this historic year, we have set a goal of $300 million, including contributions to the Annual, Endowment, and Polio Plus funds. By making a special centennial gift beyond what you normally contribute, you are helping to launch our Foundation into its second century of service. And you’re empowering Rotary members to continue fighting disease, reducing poverty, providing clean water, promoting peace, and advancing economic development in communities all over the world.

 

Global grants – Rotary Foundation can proudly claim only $6.00 is spent to fundraise $100.00 grants.

 

Anne thanked Peter for his enthusiasm in enlightening the audience of the work of Rotary Foundation; Foundation is the heart of Rotary.  Perhaps the historic donation of $26.50 (multiplied by 1.35% = US$) an amount all Rotarians could support.