The Rotary calendar reminds us that November is Foundation month. It is the month that many clubs make a special effort to present programs related to the Foundation and/or hold events that highlight the impressive work of our Rotary Foundation.
It has been the practice in District 6420 to hold a dinner in November specifically for the Foundation. Questions often asked are “why”? Wouldn’t it be better to just make a contribution to the Foundation that represents the cost of the dinner? What benefit do we receive by attending, particularly given the cost of the dinner?
The annual Foundation dinner provides an opportunity to thank all of us who support through our contributions the Foundation’s very important projects locally and internationally. In 2016-17, there were 102 first-time donors in our district. One of the ways to ensure this commitment continues is to recognize you. My personal heartfelt thanks goes out to each of the 102 because you were a big factor in a major increase in our support of the Foundation in 2016-17. We want you to remain engaged.
To me, this recognition evening is important. Just take a look at the many ways the Rotary Foundation recognizes donors at various levels. Pins, certificates, crystals bearing images of doves which represent peace, and so on. Whether quietly and privately, or in a more public setting, we all appreciate being recognized.
A celebration in November reinforces our commitment to the Foundation. The dinner is the one event during the year focused exclusively on the Foundation. It is a vehicle to exchange ideas and provide new information. This year, our own Paul Stromborg, chair of the District’s End Polio Now subcommittee, will be providing important and current information about this continuing battle. Our Annual Giving Officer at the Foundation in Naperville, Michelle Gasparian, will be joining us and sharing her unique perspective as an “insider” as a Foundation staff member.
We are honored to have our own Mary Beth Growney-Selene with us. A very engaging and popular speaker when she was our Rotary International Director, she now is intimately involved with the Foundation as a member of the Board of Trustees. It is guaranteed we will benefit from her keynote presentation.
If you attend the celebration in November, you will take away a renewed commitment to the work of the Foundation. I look forward to seeing all of you.
Together, we truly are better.
Ruth Lee, PDG, DRFCC