In Oct. 2018, Carol and I went to Rotary headquarters in Chicago for the weekend  to celebrate our joining the Arch Klumph Society. The Arch Klumph Society [AKS] is awarded to Rotarians who donate at least $250,000 to the Rotary Foundation. We had asked to remain anonymous until now. On this special Fort Wayne Rotary day I hope to inspire others to do the same.

 

For the AKS induction ceremony we were invited to deliver a speech about our Rotary experience. There were 32 of us from all over the world joining ASK that weekend. They wanted our talk ahead of time so that it could be translated into 6 languages. We invited our daughters Kirsten and Michelle to join us for the speech and other Rotary activities. I gave them a tour of Rotary headquarters. While on the top 18^th  floor we wanted our photo taken but everyone was gone for the day. Finally a lone woman was walking by. I stopped her and asked if she could take our photo which she graciously did and then introduced herself. She was Pres elect Mark  Maloney’s wife, Gay. She invited us into his office to meet him. We had a nice long conversation with him.

 

As my “Rotary Is” for today I would like to share the short speech I gave.... but just in English.

I joined the Downtown Fort Wayne Rotary Club 49 years ago in May 1969. At that time my Grandfather and Uncle were members and had been presidents. My father-in-law was the long time treasurer. My Uncle’s brother-in-law, Bill Rastetter, was on the RI Board. At 27, I was the youngest member of the club of over 300 members. There were no women and very little diversity. We have come a long way!!

 

Many of my closest long-time friends are in Rotary. The weekly programs help me stay informed on local and international issues. As I talk to people about joining Rotary, I try to discourage them from joining to get business, but rather to join because they have a heart for service to others.  That is what I like most about Rotary .... being in a room full of people who live “Service Above Self”.

 

While we do important work in our local communities, my favorite Rotary achievement is promoting international peace and understanding.  Through our Peace Centers, student exchanges, and other exchange programs, I think Rotary is the most efficient and effective NGO in making the world a better place.

 

My wife, Carol, chose Clean Water as her area of emphasis. She named her AKS designation Water is Life! because clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are all basic necessities for both a productive life and a healthy environment.

All six areas of focus are extremely important.

 

I suggest we add a 7^th, equally important area of focus:  that is Climate Change and a Sustainable Environment, and how it affects all the other six areas.

I thought my suggestion of the environment as a new 7^th Area of Focus might be  a bit edgy but its not every day you get to talk to the Rotary International President and Board of directors.

 

As we were leaving the stage President Barry Rassin grabbed my hand and thanked me for suggesting the new 7^th area. I am sure he was already considering adding the Environment as an area of focus since his home is in the Bahamas and is threatened by raising sea levels.

Early this year Carol and I became the first Rotarians to choose the new 7^th Area of Focus, the Environment with an additional AKS donation.

 

We joined the Arch Klumph Society for two reasons. One was altruistic and the other self-serving.

As we view the daily news and see wars, wild fires, underfunded education, unhealthy water, inadequate healthcare....the list goes on. We feel sorry for the challenges so many people face and wish we could help them.

Well we can....we are Rotarians!!

 

There are 1.2 million of us in 35,000  clubs in 167 countries. Together we can and do make a difference in the World. Rotary International has identified our 7 areas of focus to combat these challenges. Our contributions to the Rotary Foundation at any level is a positive step.

 

YOU can make in making the world more livable.

 

The second reason we joined AKS is financial. Financial planners say we should have at least $750,000 and hopefully one million dollars for our retirement. They also say about a third of your portfolio should be in fixed income investments. Fixed investments available today and the past many years including U.S.Treasurys, CDs, and Bond ETFs  pay between almost zero % and up to 3.5% as shown on this slide.  And the higher rates carry risk and are not guaranteed.

 

Our donation to AKS is called a Charitable Gift Annuity, CGA for short. Rotary guarantees us a 5% return for the rest of our lives which covers the fixed income portion of our portfolio. I would rather get a 5% return. This rate is based on several variables and when established is locked in by contract with the RI Foundation and with no risk. At your demise you leave knowing that you have left a legacy that will continue doing good work in your name.

 

And one more advantage, you get a very nice tax deduction for your donation!

 

Yes $250,000 is a lot of money. But if you consider it the fixed income part of your retirement and set joining AKS as a goal for your retirement, I think you will be pleased with your decision to join AKS.