Foundation

Arnie Di Carli is our Foundation Chair.  The Foundation's aim is to foster world peace through understanding and, as the charitable arm of RI is the financial facilitator and overseer of the various ways it tries to achieve this aim.  It encourages us all to see the world not as it is but as it could be and to all play our part in influencing our community. 

This mission is pursued through three avenues - education, humanitarian programs and Polio Plus - and employs both money and volunteers.

Volunteers in Action sends members abroad to help using their vocations and all vocations are useful.  Ambassadorial scholarships have now been awared to over 30,000 people over the last 60 years with 1,000 being awarded last year at a cost of $27,000.00 each.  Rotary Centres for Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution have been created at 7 Universities around the world.  GSEs give young entrepreneurs an opportunity to see how their vocation is practiced in another country and to experience unique cultural exchanges.  The Foundation pays travel and host clubs provide accommodation and events.  Yvonne spoke to the importance a GSE experience had for her - the trip of two lifetimes which changed her life and who she is.  She became part of a real team and joined Rotary soon after.  She thinks the opportunity should be promoted to young professionals in our area.  Humanitarian grants fund projects that benefit communities.  RI tries to work with local clubs.  Joyce pointed out that our Club's support of the viticulture project in Tblisi has been so successful that now they need a wine cellar.  It's teaching people to fish, she says.  They are on the way to supporting themselves. 

Polio Plus is Rotary's most recognized program and now only 4 countries are reporting cases and even there the number of cases is dropping.  Polio Plus has received two grants from the Gates Foundation worth $250 million and Rotary is committed to matching $200 million and has already reached $146.7.

Support for the Foundation can be given in two ways to match the two needs it faces.  For today's projects and challenges there is the annual program - Every Rotarian Every Year and the minimum suggested is $100.00 which is eligible for Paul Harris recognition.  For the future challenges and for long term funding there is endowments and bequests which are held and invested and only the interest is spent.

Arnie encouraged the Club to consider the remarkable work done, the work that needs to be done and the need for us all to support the Foundation.

Phil thanks Arnie for his presentation.