Category: Rotary International

  • World Health Organization Reports new cases of Polio in Nigeria

    World Health Organization Reports new cases of Polio in Nigeria

    The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in mid-August that polio is having a resurgence in Nigeria.  New cases of polio were discovered in two paralyzed children from families in separate towns in July.

    The End Polio Now campaign of The Rotary Foundation (TRF) continues to raise money so no child is disabled by polio ever again. During the last few years only Pakistan and Afghanistan were the countries that had not completely eliminated the disease.

    It is now more critical than ever that every member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis seriously consider making a contribution to The Rotary Foundation’s End Polio Now efforts!

    Give online today so we can eradicate this crippling disease.

    Rotary Direct allows Rotarians to contribute online monthly, quarterly or annually.

    Take advantage of our Club’s giving incentives:

    1. First five Rotarians to donate using Rotary Direct get 100 extra points toward PHF recognition.
    2. First 10 new donors will get an extra 100 points toward PHF recognition, as well.

    Your contributions make a difference.

    Additional background from The Rotary Foundation:

    Rotary’s first major program to eliminate polio was the formation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988. The GPEI’s original members were Rotary, the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and UNICEF.

    At that time, 350,000 children were afflicted by polio every year. Today, that number has been reduced by 99.9 percent.

    Over the years, others have joined the effort, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and governments throughout the world. Rotary continued its fundraising efforts and as of 2015 had contributed more than $1.5 billion to the eradication effort. In addition, Rotary’s advocacy has resulted in contributions of over $9 billion from world governments.

  • Rotary International Foundation’s 100th Year of “Doing Good” in the World

    Rotary International Foundation’s 100th Year of “Doing Good” in the World

    (L-R) Rick Conner, Mark Blade, Anita Harden, Matt Burnett, Teresa Walker, Kelly Tingle, Michael Salemi
    (L-R) Rick Conner, Mark Blade, Anita Harden, Matt Burnett, Theresa Walker, Kelly Tingle and Michael Salemi

    Setting the stage for The Rotary International Foundation’s (RIF) second century of being a powerful force for “doing good” in the world, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis kicked-off its official celebration of RIF’s centennial year at our Club’s Tuesday, August 2 luncheon with new incentives to contribute to RIF and nine Paul Harris Fellow presentations.

    David Yeley, chair of the Club’s RIF Committee said, “the importance of making annual contributions to RIF so the eradication of polio, providing access to clean water, healthcare, basic education and promoting peace in our troubled world are critical to the success of ongoing RIF programs around the globe.”

    Rotary Direct allows Rotarians to contribute online monthly, quarterly or annually. Get started, today!

    New Giving Incentives Announced:

    1. First five Rotarians to donate using Rotary Direct get 100 extra points toward PHF recognition.
    2. First 10 new donors will get an extra 100 points toward PHF recognition, as well.

    First time Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) awards were presented to Michael Salemi and Kelly Tingle. Seven other members were recognized for increased levels of giving. Accepting a level one pin was Theresa Walker. PHF level two pins were awarded to Matt Burnett and Anita Harden. Mark Blade and Rick Conner were presented level four pins. John Blakley was recognized with a level five pin and Pat Garten with a level eight.

  • Giving empowers Rotarians (video)

    When you give to our Foundation, you help fund community development projects around the world. We hope you enjoy this video, which illustrates how your giving empowers Rotarians to make make a meaningful difference in the lives of people in need.

    Check out the video

  • July 7, 2015, Rotary International President-Elect, John Germ

    germ-bladeOn Tuesday, July 7, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis welcomes Rotary International President-Elect, John F. Germ as our program. Our Club will also induct our very own Indianapolis Rotarian Mark Blade as the new District 6560 Governor for 2015-2016. Stay tuned for more details.

  • Rotary International Foundation – Doing Good In the World – Donate Now

    The Rotary International Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary International and is supported solely by contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

    Through Foundation Grants, Rotarians are able to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

    Rotary’s top priority is the global eradication of Polio. Polio Plus is Rotary’s most recognized program, and through Rotarians’ fundraising efforts, Rotary has contributed over $1.3 billion to the campaign. Since 1985, Rotary members have helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children against polio. Today all but three countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria) are free of polio. Every $1 Rotarians donate is matched 2 to 1 by the Gates Foundation. Your donation works three times as hard.

    We are happy to report that our Club Rotarians have given 25% more this fiscal year to the Rotary International Foundation than last year. But we can and should do more. While 75 Rotarians have taken the step of being Every Rotarian Every Year giving to the Rotary International Foundation, 275 have given nothing. We welcome a contribution of any amount. The Club is providing matching Paul Harris recognition points for any donation through June 30, 2015. Now is the perfect time to get double points toward your first or subsequent Paul Harris Fellow award level. YOU MUST SEND YOUR PAYMENT TO THE ROTARY OFFICE TO GET YOUR PAUL HARRIS MATCHING POINTS CREDIT. Make your check payable to Rotary International Foundation and send it to the Rotary office at 650 North Meridian Street, Suite 1A, Indianapolis, IN 46204.  Or, call the office and provide your credit card information for your donation, today.

    Thanks in advance for your, service above self, contribution.

  • Rotary International Foundation Needs Your Help!

    peace fellowshipsYou may know that Rotary is the world’s first service club. But did you know Rotary is widely regarded as the world’s largest private provider of international educational scholarships. Seeking applicants for these global humanitarian scholarships falls under our club’s Rotary International Foundation Committee, and we need your help. Indianapolis is a wonderful city, one of the largest in the country, and bursts with talented and skilled friendly Hoosiers who we would love to see merit one of these fellowship opportunities.

    Each year, Rotary awards 100 scholarships to individuals from around the world to receive fully funded academic fellowships at one of the Rotary Peace Centers. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses. Two types of peace fellowships are available.

    You may know of someone!!!

    Rotary Peace Fellowship:

    • 15-24 month program leading to a Masters in peace studies and conflict resolution
    • Not open to Rotarians
    • Study period includes a 2-3 month internship
    • Applicants must be ‘out of school’ at least 3 years, and be either professionally, academically or as a highly involved volunteer engaged in peace and conflict resolution (thus not open to students just graduating from college or university intending to start graduate studies immediately.
    • Practical work experience essential)
    • Studies offered in the US (Duke/UNC), Japan (International Christian University), Sweden (Uppsala University), England (University of Bradford) and Australia (University of Queensland)
    • 60 fellows selected each year, placed 12 at each peace study center

    Professional Development Certificate

    • 3 month program leading to a certificate
    • Open to Rotarians, but they must pay for this program is selected (about $12,000)
    • Study period includes a 2-3 week field study
    • Applicants must be ‘out of school’ at least 5 years, and be either professionally, academically or as a highly involved volunteer engaged in peace and conflict resolution (practical work experience essential)
    • Study offered in Thailand (Chulalongkorn University)
    • 50 fellows selected each years, 25 each session (January-April and June-August)

    Deadline, 20 March! contact Betty Tonsing and I will send details. I can be reached at btonsing[at]aol.com, or by calling my cell at (574) 807-2382.

  • World Community Service Committee Grant Helps Children in Guatemala

    World Community Service Committee Grant Helps Children in Guatemala

    [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”3″ gal_title=”2014 Guatemala”]

    Rotarian, Debra Des Vignes recently returned from a trip to Guatemala where she presented a check from the Rotary Club of Indianapolis’ World Community Service Committee to Common Hope, a nonprofit that empowers families. Funds will make possible the purchase of much-needed medicine and supplies for the clinic. Each member of the clinic spoke about how the funds from Rotary will greatly aid in their work especially since they are seeing roughly 100 extra (unexpected & not in their budget) patients each month. Check out one of the blog posts from Debra Des Vignes about her experience in Guatemala.

  • Rotary International Foundation Month

    November is Rotary International Foundation Month Worldwide. Your Rotary Club of Indianapolis Rotary International Foundation Committee has weekly announcements scheduled throughout the month of November. We hope you will participate and attend Tuesday programs in November.

    Don’t miss our program on November 4! Floyd Lancia, Zone 30 Regional Foundation Coordinator will speak briefly. Tim Lee, State Regional Coordinator will also be in attendance. On November 14th, Past Indy Rotarian President and District Governor-Elect Mark Blade will speak on the Rotary International Foundation. On November 18th, Indy Rotarian Judge Tom Fisher will speak. And, on November 25 Indianapolis Indy Rotarian Bill Batt will speak. At each program, pledge cards will be made available and collected.

  • Bono’s Message to Rotarians (video)

    Bono’s Message to Rotarians (video)

    “Whenever I go doing my work in Africa, The Rotarians have been there before me. It is very humbling thing to discover just exactly what “Service Above Self” adds up to when you see it in practice in the field” ~ Bono

    Check out Bono’s Video!

  • Rotary International Foundation Special Program

    RotaryMBS_Azure-PMS-CThe worldwide foundation of Rotary International funded by member annual donations serves the Rotary mission worldwide including all health care programs, humanitarian programs and educational programs including Polio Plus.

    The expectation within Rotary is that Every Rotarian participate and give a minimum of $100 or more Every Year or at least something each year to the Rotary International Foundation.

    Now is the perfect time to make your donation or increase your giving if at all possible. To encourage new giving and to increase the number of sustaining contributors (donors of $100 or more annually), the District has announced a Spring Foundation Match of recognition points for contributions given April 15- May 31 of $100 to $500. In short, you can get double points toward your first or subsequent Paul Harris Fellow award levels.

    Just make a check payable to Rotary International Foundation and give your check or cash to anyone from our club office for processing.

    For further information or any questions, please check with any club Rotary International Foundation committee member: David Yeley, chair, Joe Arruda, Mary Jane Sorbera, Orion Bell, Alice McColgin, Betty Tonsing, Thomas Fisher or David Spring.