You can't do what you don't know (Rotary Foundation)

 
Rotary does well with providing training for its members.  This enables those starting a new role to get a head start in learning the ‘mechanics’ of their new role and to draw on the experience of those who have been in the role a while and everyone gets the latest and greatest in news, techniques and resources to do their job well.  And so it was with the recent Rotary Foundation information evening entitled “What does The Rotary Foundation Do?”
 
Over 40 Rotarians attended plus the District Eclub, based in Tahiti, listened in on “Zoom” which is an example of the increasing use of communication technology in training meetings which is especially important as a third of District 9920 is overseas (not counting Waiheke Island).
 
This opportunity has been offered to all of our Pacific Island Clubs.
 
After DG Roger Harvey’s welcome, PRI President Bill Boyd, a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation, spoke on the stellar charity rating for our Foundation, the pressing need to continue supporting Polio, and the $70m available from the Bill Gates Foundation on a 2 for 1 basis for Polio donations. He went on to say how changing the Foundation to Future Vision has made our grant model one of the best in the world.    
 
Then members of the Foundation Committee all contributed giving an overview on their portfolios:
  • Ron Seeto – Polio Plus and the Paul Harris Society
  • Byran Theunisen – Rotary Peace Fellowships
  • AG Shefali Mehta – Ambassadorial Scholarships
  • Mary Taylor – Vocational Training Teams (presented by IPDG Jennie Herring)
  • IPDG Jennie Herring – How to give to our Foundation
  • Peter Wilcock – Global Payments System
  • Richard Thorpe – District Grants
  • PDG & Zone Coordinator Leanne Jaggs – Foundation Centennial
 
Each of the above is able to answer questions on their ‘speciality’ anytime so just call them.
 
Rotary Foundation Committee Chair PDG Willard Martin said the meeting had been a great opportunity to promote the many facets of our Foundation and to remind members of the importance of making it your charity of choice, especially as this is the Rotary Foundation Centennial.
Note that the Rotary Foundation Centennial will be celebrated with a Rotary Family Day at Ellerslie Race Course on Sunday 19th February 2017
 
If you want to know more about the Rotary Foundation or have a Guest Speaker for your club please contact Willard E: 4martins@clear.net.nz