FOUNDATION MONTH.

The Month of November is ROTARY FOUNDATION MONTH.  The month we focus on our Charity and the source of our grants to complete projects like the NEPAL Ambulance.

The months big Event was the Foundation Dinner on November 19th at the Bellingham Golf & Country Club where over $5600 was raised for the Foundation.

Last Tuesday we had the pleasure of the company of the District Foundation Chair, Bill Robson as our Evening Speaker. Bill provided us with updates on the Foundations activities and the Polio Plus status in relation to our $200million Challenge from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bill also related the long term benefits of going on one of the international Missions to work on Polio Eradication.As Bill said " it is life changing" not just for the recipients but also for the Rotarians.We get to see the benefits of giving and the life changing results of our donations.

We have several initiatives in our club to meet our Foundation Goals but one sure way is for Every Rotarian to give Every Year (EREY). The amount is not important it is the giving that counts. However if you donate $100 per year (less than $10 per month) You become a sustaining member our Goal is to have 100% of our club as sustaining members.

Bill also related how the three rating agencies that rate charities gave our foundation top marks. In 2010 91% of funds went to Programs.(Charity Navigator) .

Comparisons: Canadian Cancer Society 59%,United Way 79%,Heart & Stroke Foundation 69%,Salvation Army 67%.. So you can see our Foundation is very efficient in the use of funds.

See Bryce to set up your annual giving today.

Picture President Ajay thanks Bill for his presentation