Category: Rotary International

  • Rotary International Foundation Special Program

    The 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.

  • The Rotary Membership Message

    The Rotary Membership Message

    RI President Ron BurtonDuring Membership and Extension Month, Rotary International has  planned a variety of activities to help you get  club members involved and share the passion for Rotary. Building strong and vibrant clubs is critical for Rotary’s future. Here are some steps we can take this month to attract new members and engage the ones we already have:

    • Join Thunderclap and share a powerful membership message with the world on the last day of August. Thunderclap is a tool that allows thousands of people to connect their social media accounts to send a single, simple, amplified message all at once. Spread a message on Facebook and Twitter that is sure to be heard. Learn more about Thunderclap and how it works.
    • Take part in our Membership Challenge and set concrete plans for increasing our club’s membership. We choose our goals — such as referring a new member, inviting a friend to our club or service project, or connecting with alumni. Once we submit our goals, we’ll get an email listing steps to take to meet our goals.
    • Watch RI President Ron Burton’s message on membership.
    • Learn more about regional membership plans with the new infographic. Regional membership plans, now in their second year, take advantage of each region’s unique needs, customs, and historic trends to greatly enhance the ability of district leaders to bring in new members and retain existing ones.
    • Look for a new publication Connect for Good (formerly known as Rotary Basics) in the September issue of The Rotarian to get insights on engaging members and keeping them involved.
  • New Grants Application System Through Rotary International

    New Grants Application System Through Rotary International

    Rotary International has changed how they structure Rotary grants. The new system (previously known as Future Vision) focuses primarily on three grant types—district, global, and packaged. It is both more efficient and sustainable, and will help make a greater impact around the globe.

    There is now a new website for all Rotary grants information. Looking to learn about the new grant system? Applying for a grant? Get information on managing your grant? You’ll find it all here.

    In Grant Basics, you can learn more about the grants offered to Rotarians and how to apply for them. The Learning & Reference section houses an extensive resource library, including useful reference documents, training materials, and much more.

  • NEW! The Rotary Foundation of Indianapolis / Rotary International Foundation Program

    The Rotary Club Indianapolis will match all contributions of $100 or more to the Rotary Foundation of Indianapolis with 100 Paul Harris Fellow recognition points of the Rotary International Foundation. The 1-1 matching program will begin December 1, 2012 and end June 30, 2013 with a cap of 65,000 recognition points. We hope this matching program will encourage more members to contribute to our Foundation. A letter from Rotary Foundation of Indianapolis President Sue Tempero will be sent to all Club members requesting contributions to our Foundation. For more information or questions, please contact Rotary.

  • Rotary International Foundation Committee Announcement

    Rotary’s six areas of focus – peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development are made possible by your giving to Rotary International Foundation. This is how Rotary meets the diverse needs of families and communities around the world.

    Within Rotary, the traditional emphasis is EREY, Every Rotarian giving a minimum of $100 or at least something each year to the Foundation. Our Committee’s emphasis is that everybody participate this fiscal year in some way. Last year, our club gave almost $30,000, but we still had 2/3 of our members not participating at all.

    To encourage new givers and to increase the number of sustaining contributors (donors of $100 or more annually), the district has a new points match program good all fiscal year that will match contributions given via a CREDIT Card monthly, quarterly or annually that totals $100 to $500 this fiscal year. Just complete a contribution form providing your credit card number, expiration date, 3 digit number that appears on the back of your card and the amount you want to donate annually (one time donation), quarterly or monthly. As little as $10/month will complete a $100 pledge by the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2013.

    Of course, you can elect to do a check made payable to “The Rotary Foundation” or give cash if so desired. Those donations just will not get the matching points toward becoming a Paul Harris Fellow.

    Now is the time to do your EREY gift. Just provide your completed form to our office for processing. Please do something. Collectively, our giving through Rotary can do and does so much good.

    For further information or any questions, please check with the office or any club Rotary International Foundation committee member: Michael Ault, Colleen Kilrain, Mary Jane Sorbera, Marge Tarplee, Mark Weir or David Yeley.

  • Global Ambassadorial Scholarship Opportunity

    Your help is needed to identify qualified candidates who are sincere in wanting to make a positive difference in the world. Those who fit that description might want to apply for the District 6560 Global Ambassadorial Scholarship for 2011.

    This scholarship replaces the Ambassadorial Scholarship of the past. Rose Jackson, who is currently studying in Kenya, was our district’s first Global Ambassadorial Scholar and was nominated by our club. This scholarship will provide an award of $30,000 for 2 years of graduate level work culminating in a degree that encompasses one or more of the six focus areas adopted by The Rotary Foundation’s Future Vision Pilot program:

    • Disease prevention/treatment
    • Economic and community development
    • Education and basic literacy
    • Maternal and child health
    • Peace and conflict resolution
    • Water and sanitation

    The applicant must not be a Rotarian, or related to a Rotarian.
    If you know of someone you feel would be qualified and interested, please contact the Rotary Office for more information. Applicants must download and complete the Global Grants Scholarship application, and submit it to the Rotary office in early January 2011. Interviews will take place in February.

  • November is Rotary International Foundation Month!

    What can you do to help?
    Please give to the Rotary International Foundation by sending a contribution to the Rotary Office or by bringing your contribution to a meeting in November and giving it to one of the Rotary International Foundation committee members who will be at special tables at the Scottish Rite each Tuesday in November.

    Our goals are to End Polio Now, have Every Rotarian give to the Rotary International Foundation Every Year and in the process, create new Paul Harris Fellows ($1,000 lifetime giving). If you would like your gift to go to the End Polio Now Campaign, please make a note of that with your gift.

    Thank you from the Rotary International Foundation Committee.

  • Ambassadorial Scholar, Rose Jackson in at Nakuru National Park, Africa

    Ambassadorial Scholar, Rose Jackson in at Nakuru National Park, Africa

    Greetings from Nairobi Rotarians. I have now been in Kenya for 2 months and am beginning to know my way around. We are passing into rainy season which means warmer weather, some pretty intense downpours, and beautiful purple Jacaranda trees and pink Bougainvillea bushes throughout the city. I am steeped in the fun of midterm exam time and getting to know the local Rotary scene. I have been amazed by just how active the clubs are out here and can’t wait to get more involved in some of their projects. I am planning on visiting a clean water project out west, an irrigation project up north, and a Rotary sponsored school for the blind out east in the coming months. Until that time, studying hard, setting up my life, and being thankful everyday for your support. Say hello to Indiana for me and enjoy my favorite midwest fall season!

    Best, Rose Jackson

  • Group Study Exchange

    The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for business people and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country’s culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

    In a typical four-week tour, applicants participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families.

    For each team member, the Foundation provides the most economical round-trip airline ticket between the home and host countries. Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district. Download this PDF for more information.