RDU magazine online

The Rotary Foundation to be pro-active and serve Rotarians

The Rotary Foundation,which awards grants for humanitarian and educational purposes, needs to be proactive, flexible, visionary and trustworthy. Incoming chairman, R.I.Past President Luis Giay, listed these characteristics in a speech on the future of The Rotary Foundation during Rotary ’s International Assembly,a training conference for incoming District governors held over eight days in February in San Diego, California, U.S.A.

With respect to its short-term future, Luis Giay said the goals for The Rotary Foundation in Rotary year 2006 –07 included eradicating polio and raising The Rotary Foundation’s profile as an advocate of peace and conflict resolution through partnerships with institutions. Encouraging Rotarians to donate an average of $US100 each to the Annual Programs Fund and set a record for major gifts to the Permanent Fund, or endowment fund, were other goals.

Improved grassroots training would increase Rotarians ’ awareness of the The Rotary Foundation ’s mission. The trustees have created the Future Vision Committee to implement a plan for the future. The committee has consulted experts and surveyed more than 20,000 Rotarians. It is working on a so-called Future Vision Plan for the short, medium and long term.It will go into effect gradually from July 1,2006, and should be fully operational by June 30, 2007.