The Rotary Foundation

Past District Governor (2001-2002) Art Erasmus is the current Chair of the Rotary Foundation Committee in District 5040.

Art joined Rotary in Prince George in 1984, and became the President of the Prince George Club in 1991-92.  After moving to Terrace, Art became the President of the Terrace Rotary Club in 1998-99.

Art and his wife Leslie are sustaining Rotary Foundation Members, Paul Harris Fellows and Rotary Foundation Benefactors, Foundation Bequest Society members and Major Donors.  These credentials are a very strong indication that both Art and Leslie are firm believers in The Rotary Foundation.

Art was a Rotarian for 6 years before he became acquainted with the Foundation.  When he discovered the Foundation and what kind of achievements were the result of the Foundation, he and Leslie became involved, to help make a difference in promoting those goals. 

Some of Art and Leslie's work has involved work in Ethiopia, providing water wells, education and sanitation and health to a village in Ethiopia, as well as involvement in the National Immunization of Children under 5 years of age against Polio.  The Theme supports "Engage Rotary and Change Lives."

Art's Foundation Presentation explains that many people are not currently supporting the Foundation because they either never heard about the Foundation or frankly, do not know of the details of what the Foundation is and does within Rotary.

The Rotary Foundation (Canada) is a Canadian not-for-profit corporation supported solely by volunteer contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation.

The Foundation's goal 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.

More information on the Foundation is available on the website: trfcanada.org

Art indicated some people with little knowledge of the Foundation, have made contributions to the Foundation because if Art Erasmus believes in the Foundation, it must be good.  Well, from Art and Leslie's track record, that is a strong indicator, but the real truth requires each and every Rotarian to check it out and make their individual donations, that they feel they can afford, based on their own research and recognition of the wonderful things that Rotary achieves every year through membership support.

The Foundation is one of the best not-for-profit Corporations with the lowest administration fees in the world. 

Rotary is asking each and every Rotarian to become a donor, every year. Each small donation helps make the power of the Foundation much bigger and capable of carrying out the goals identified.

If you are not a donor, Why Not?  Check it out. 

PDG Ron Neukomm thanked Art for his presentation with another donation to our Rotary Polio Plus Program.