Jim Flamson Summary

Quoting District 5130 Foundation Chair David Mark Raymond, Past District 5130’s 2010 Governor Jim Flamson quipped the apt reminder that giving to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is the gift that gives beyond one’s years.  “You kick off, we receive” in gridiron terms.

Celebrating its first century anniversary, TRF, began as a vision of Arch Klumph, then Rotary International President in 1917. With the modest sum of $26.50 from the 1917 International Convention in Kansas City, the host club agreed to seed the Foundation’s mission: “To doing good in the world.”

In 1930, the first grant, a $500 gift was made to the Crippled Children’s Society, (now the Easter Seals Foundation).  In 1947, when Paul Harris, founder of Rotary died, gifts in his honor of $1.3 million were received to augment TRF, and in 1957 Paul Harris Fellows were instituted, encouraging the further vision and reach of the Foundation.  1979 demonstrated the scope of action achievable when it inaugurated a vaccination program in the Philippines reaching nearly a million people. In 1988, 350,000 cases of crippling polio were reported worldwide.  Thanks to thousands of donors, volunteers and the early vision of Arch Klumph, now only 23 cases are reported in just 3 countries. Today, TRF has granted over 3 billion dollars in projects aimed at improving health, education, economic development and peace worldwide.  It is one of only three foundations to earn a perfect 100 score from the rigorous Charity Navigator rating service, with overhead expenses consuming only 3.5% of contributions.

Closer to home, following the extensive Clayton Fire in south Lake County recently, PDG Jim asked TRF if the $10K remaining in our District Designated Funds could be allocated to LARCA- Lake Area Rotary Club Association.  Overnight Jim’s TRF liaison had obtained both authorization and set up the internal structure to dispense the funds locally.  From that $10K origin, Wal-Mart added $10K, and County Supervisor Brown contributed $10K for a total of $30K+ to provide children of Lake County $400 gift certificates for their back to school needs.  Giving begets giving, and keeps on giving!!

The continuing success of TRF comes from generosity, vision, and ongoing training at the Club-District level to assess, partner and monitor grant participants in order to best maintain sustained credibility and desired results.  The applied for use of funds and achievement of desired goals is never taken for granted.  Up to three years following approval, grant partners monitor and report progress to TRF.  Without verified, acceptable performance evaluations, further grants will not be made.

Locally and Internationally, The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International builds Goodwill, Better Friendships, Healthier Bodies, Sounder Minds, Stronger Economies.  Peace becomes both possible and more probable as standards of living, mutual respect, and self-esteem find root and nourishment.

Sunrise Rotary is applying for a Global Grant to equip the Sabalos, Nicaragua Surgical Center it has been supporting for many years. With cooperation from Rotary Clubs in Managua and San Carlos, Nicaragua, Sunrise and local partners plan on providing X-Ray and Ultrasound diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, Dental treatment supplies and much more to the underserved area surrounding Sabalos.

Learn more at www.rotary.org/en/document/rotary-foundation-reference-guide

Our District website www.rotary5130.com has additional reference in the Menu under Grants.