The work of Rotary begins in the community, and every community has its own unique needs and concerns. While we serve in countless ways, we focus our efforts and resources in (now) seven key areas to maximize our impact. Across the previous six areas of focus Rotarians have included a strong emphasis on caring for the environment and sustainability and indeed some of the criteria for these in applying for grants supports these concepts.
Now this concern for the environment has been taken a logical step further through the addition of the seventh area of focus; supporting the environment. The very strong support for a wide range of environmental projects by Rotary clubs in Auckland and the Pacific means this is welcome news as it opens an avenue of support for larger projects of greater impact. Rotary projects generally offer the opportunity for casual volunteering – just contact your local Rotary club.
More than $18 million in Foundation global grant funding has been allocated to environment-related projects over the past five years. Creating a distinct area of focus to support the environment will give Rotary members even more ways to bring about positive change in the world and increase our impact.
The areas of focus encompass some of the world’s most critical and widespread humanitarian needs, and we have a proven record of success in addressing them:
- Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
- Disease prevention and treatment
- Water and sanitation
- Maternal and child health
- Basic education and literacy
- Economic and community development
- Supporting the environment
Rotary members planning new service projects are encouraged to consider these areas and the many opportunities for innovative projects within them. For more information on Rotary’s areas of focus and about the funding that can be applied for to support projects in these areas go to www.rotary.org and / or just Google ‘Rotary areas of focus’.