BIG IMPACT: Rotary Foundations
BIG IMPACT: Rotary Foundations
By Barbara Burggraf
The speakers at today’s lunch are very familiar. Bruce Fenwick, David Bromwich, Terry McMahon and Brent Alexander spoke about what our Club does to improve our community and the world. The scene was set earlier with a Pop Quiz that was waiting expectantly at our tables. The quiz is titled “Community Service Fund and Related Topics”. If you missed the meeting I am sure you can get your hands on a copy through Joanne. The Quiz was a tough challenge and it took all 8 of us at my table to try to guess some of the right answers. The wonderful thing about the Pop Quiz was the humbling reminder of what a Rotary Club can achieve when members work to holistically to make the world a better place.
Bruce Fenwick noted that over half of our Club members are Paul Harris Fellows. Two thirds of the group are multiple Paul Harris Fellows. Brent Alexander spoke about the great work of the Major Donations Committee who will give out $250,000 in grants spread over 8 worthy organizations. The Major Gifts Committee received grant requests totalling over $2.1 million. The Committee selected a short list of 10 organizations who presented to the Committee. They selected 8 finalists including the Boys and Girls Club; Dare to Care, Meals on Wheels; In Step; Calgary Tool Library and Silvera. Kudos to the Major Gifts Committee for their volunteer time and commitment to improving the lives of Calgarians in need.
Next up was David Bromwich who opened his PowerPoint presentation with a bang. The virtual Fireworks were the work of Chris Harper. David’s very clever PowerPoint contained the right answers to the Pop Quiz. We learned the facts about where our money goes, such as, the Rotary Mattamy Greenway; Stay in School; 22 projects around the world and much more thanks to the proceeds from the Stampede Barbeques, the Mahood fund and many other contributions. Question 16 of the Quiz asks what are the possibilities for what our Club can do with Community Service funds. If you answered Infinite you had the correct answer.
Next up Terry McMahon recognized a very special donor Bill Andrew who has made a significant gift to the Rotary Foundation. Bill joined our Club in 1972 and is very grateful for 44 years of fellowship and making a difference for his community and the world. Surrounded by members of his family, Bill spoke about why he gives back. He mentioned three key word: Time, Talent and Treasure. These are the ways he can make a difference in Rotary. Bill reminds us to give back to Rotary while we live. He is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Rotary family of friends. Bill received a well-deserved standing ovation from Club members.
Rotarian Bill Andrew