The
Highlighter
November 2010
Vol 84 No 5
Table of Contents
$26.50 Grows to $1.4 Billion
Roger Schulte
The
Rotary Foundation began in 1917, funded with $26.50 in excess funds
collected for a gift for the retiring Rotary Association President,
Arch Klumph. Further contributions did not pour in until well after
the depression and WWII. At the death of Paul Harris in 1947, RI
asked that individuals and clubs wishing to honor the founder make
gifts in his name to the Rotary Foundation, suggesting $10 per
member. In one year contributions exceeded $1,775,000.
These first contributions funded study fellowships to 37 students from 12 countries – the start of what we now call, Ambassadorial Scholarships. Today this program is the world's largest privately funded international study program for university studies. Its purpose is to promote peace through international understanding and good will among people of all nations. In 2009-10 nearly 700 scholars from some 70 countries studied in more than 80 nations, at a program cost of approximately US$16.2 million.
Since 1947 Rotarians have contributed over $1.4 billion to the Foundation. The annual average is more than $85 million. Because contributions are held for three years and operating expenses are funded out of interest earned during that time, the Foundation is able to use all of the contributions for program awards and program expenses.
District 5300 receives credits of 50% of the total contributions to the Foundation's Annual Program Fund three years after the donations were made. Because Rotarians (and friends) in District 5300 contributed approximately $507,000 to The Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund in 2007-8, and because of carry over from prior years, we have approximately $327,000 in credits to allocate this year at our discretion for various Rotary Foundation-approved programs.
This year the District has designated funds as follows:
$90,000 for Matching Grants. These grants help District 5300 Rotary clubs carry out humanitarian service projects in cooperation with a Rotary club or district in another country. District 5300's clubs are encouraged to make use of these funds by either initiating projects in collaboration with clubs in other countries or by assisting the funding of projects developed by other clubs or districts. Such projects are listed on the website www.matchinggrants.org. The District and the Rotary Foundation will match club contributions up to $5000 by 2.5 times the amount, e.g., if a club contributes $4000, and the project is approved, the District and RI will match that amount by $10,000 for a total of $14,000 toward the project.
$35,000 for District Simplified Grants. These grants enable our Rotary clubs to carry out humanitarian service projects within their local communities or internationally. The proposed project must be a NEW project, be completed, with a final report submitted by May 31, 2011. The District will match on a 1 for 1 basis club contributions of $500 to $1,500 for the project. As of October 15, only two requests for projects have come before the District's Simplified Grant Committee.
$130,000 for Ambassadorial Scholarships. District 5300 will award five "Academic Year Ambassadorial Scholarships" this year for graduate-level study abroad. These scholarships of US$26,000 or its equivalent will be for the 2012-2013 academic year. District clubs may propose and endorse up to two candidates.
$6,500 toward the Group Study Exchange Team. This will supplement Rotary Foundation's contribution to fund both an incoming and outgoing GSE team during the 2010-11 year. This year's exchange will be with District 2450, and our 4 young business and professionals, and Rotarian leader, Paul Finchamp, will be going to Dubai, Bahrain, and Egypt this spring.
$1,000 for GSE Team Expenses. This supplement will be used for training and language study expenses for our outgoing Group Study Exchange team to District 2450.
$64,500 Deferred to 2011-12. Because of the recession and the drive for PolioPlus contributions, contributions to the Annual Program Fund in 2008-09 were less than usual. We decided to defer some of the carry over funds so that there would be adequate Foundation program funds for the District to designate during the 2011-12 year.
What does all of this mean? In a nutshell, half of your contributions to the Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund come back to you. As clubs you then have funds available to use for international and local projects dear to your members. I therefore encourage all Rotarians to give each year to the Annual Program Fund. I believe that if members know about and are involved in the good works of the Foundation, they will give at a level at which they are comfortable and able.
- November is The Rotary Foundation Month. I encourage each club to:
- Schedule at least one program dedicated to a Foundation program;
- Invite as a guest a former Ambassadorial Scholar or GSE team member to your club;
- Bring in photos or a video of successful matching grants;
- Show "The Final Inch" about polio at a club meeting;
- Have a discussion of the types of needs in developing countries that move your members and then select a matching grant to help fund;
- Seek out possible candidates in your community to nominate for Ambassadorial Scholarships or Peace Scholarships;
- Provide all your members with their current level of giving to The Rotary Foundation and encourage them to consider finishing out their contributions to become a Paul Harris Fellow or to advance to the next level of giving;
- Utilize unused "points" in a way that they will motivate members to contribute to the next level;
- Encourage members to include The Rotary Foundation in their wills, trust and/or insurance policies, thereby enabling them to attend this year's Million Dollar Dinner;
- Inform members of District 5300's trip to India and encourage them to actually vaccinate children with the polio vaccine during a National Immunization Day;
- Apply for a District Simplified Grant to help fund a new hands-on project in your own community;
- Take those Polio Pigs out into the community and fill them; and/or
- Develop a campaign such that your club is recognized by one or more of the banners listed below.
Each year the Rotary Foundation presents special club recognition banners as an expression of its appreciation to specific clubs and their members for their generosity in support of the Annual Programs Fund. During the 2009-10 year the following clubs in District 5300 have been distinguished as follows:
Top Three Clubs Based on
Per Capita Giving in District 5300
Rank
1
Las Vegas Southwest ($309.02)
2 Walnut Valley ($279.63)
3 San Marino ($251.98)
100% Rotary Foundation
Sustaining Member Clubs
Clubs that achieved 100% of all active (dues paying) members personally contributing $US100 or more to the Annual Programs Fund during the Rotary year.
San Marino
Azusa
Duarte
Every Rotarian--Every Year Banner Club
Clubs that achieved a minimum of $US100 per capita with every active (dues paying) member personally contributing some amount to the Annual Program Fund during the Rotary year based on a membership as of June 30.
San Marino
Azusa
Duarte
Las Vegas West
Victorville
Group Study Exchange
November 6
Pahrump Valley Rotary Cash Extravaganza
Hesperia's 1st Annual Cowplopapalooza
November 7
Arcadia's "Team Rotary" ,"Walk for a Cure" of Juvenile Diabetes
November 12
Alhambra Rotary Hosts Charity Reverse Raffle and Gala Dinner
November 14
West Covina Sunrise Fundraiser - Honky Tonk Musical and Lunch
November 25
Claremont Sunrise Rotary's 3rd Annual Turkey Trot
Feb 22 - Mar 8, 2011
D5300 Fellowship Tour
Egypt, Jordan, Israel
June 12
International Matching Grants Project
District 5300 clubs have a long and strong history of supporting international projects and this year is no exception. There are currently 16 international projects underway for which District 5300 clubs are either providing financial support, or fulfilling the role of primary International Partner...
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Parting Shot
"Hey, the hat came with the camera."
Next month's theme
Family
Click here for publishing guidelines.
Why I have given to the Permanent Fund of
The Rotary Foundation to help District 5300 reach the goal of at
least One Million Dollars by December 2010.
When I
was inducted into Rotary, a part of that induction addressed that our
funds plant trees that we will never sit under, provide medical services
that we don't see the results of; this says it all. I was inducted
a week after the Green Valley Club was chartered and have tried to live
the Four Way Test of Rotary and Service Above Self as I have moved about
the country. I want to see the legacy continue. Paul Harris had the
right idea when he established Rotary – it is the premier service club
and without Rotary there are millions who would not receive the help
they need.
Glenn of Green Valley Rotary
The timing of the Million Dollar Dinner campaign just fit in with my
personal need to make changes to my will. Due to having sold a
house that was in a trust and the fact that my primary beneficiary (my
wife of 43 years) had recently passed away, it was time to update my
will.
I had been meaning to add the Rotary Foundation
as a beneficiary for some time, but just had not gotten around to it.
All the information coming through Rotary encouraging this reminded me
to fulfill the obligation I had made to myself to leave something to
this great organization and the work that it does.
Joe
of Summerlin Rotary
I always thought that I was not in
the financial ranks of those who give significantly to The Rotary
Foundation's Permanent Fund. During this Bequest Society Campaign I
realized that Rotary had significantly impacted my life over the past 33
years so much more so than the 4 years spent at universities. Just as I
have given to my educational institutions, I therefore felt that naming
The Rotary Foundation in my will was important to promote the
humanitarian projects carried out by Rotarians around the world.
Roger of Upland Rotary
Deborah and I have chosen to
become members of the Bequest Society to expand our commitment to Rotary
as our charitable organization of choice. We are both multiple Paul
Harris Fellows. With the personal experiences Rotary has provided us at
International Conferences, through matching grants, as a GSE Team
Leader, and fellowship in our clubs and our community, what easier way
to say "Thank You Rotary" than by simply including Rotary as a
beneficiary in a retirement plan. It doesn't cost anything today, and
there will continue to be sufficient assets for our children.
Doug of Apple Valley Rotary & Deborah of Victor Valley Sunrise Rotary
Sylvia and I became members because we believe in the work of Rotary,
which incidentally, is why I'm still a Rotarian. It affords me the
opportunity to work locally and have an impact globally. Not
globally in any grand sense mind you, but to reach out and help
individuals we'll never meet to obtain the basics of clean water, food,
proper sanitation, health, and education. Sylvia and I believe we're all
here to make a positive difference in the lives of others, and that the
world should ultimately be a better place for our having been here.
There are many organizations that help those in need, but I
believe Rotary is the only one that has the on-the-ground network that
can apply that help in a way that honors the intent of our gift.
In short, we trust that Rotary International and my fellow Rotarians
will be good stewards of the funds that we leave behind.
Finally, we've chosen to make a bequest because it will be a far more
significant gift than we could ever make while living. Our estate
gift could be a small drop in the huge ocean of federal and state tax
revenue, or it could be a big splash to those here and abroad that are
in need.
It's easy to look at the world around us,
throw our hands up and say, "Everything is going to hell in a hand
basket and there's nothing I can do," but Rotarians say, "There is
something we can do and we'll do it by changing lives, even if it's only
one person, one family, one village at a time." It's that
philosophy, that spirit that we want to support long after we're gone.
Mike & Sylvia of Pasadena Rotary
As I plan my
estate, I want a global impact and TRF provides that.
George of Pasadena Rotary
Here are a couple of
reasons: Rotary International projects help people at the grass roots
level and address their basic needs. Projects such as health
(Polio Plus), water (irrigation and fresh water supply), and sanitation
(water filtration). These projects are also apolitical.
A second reason is that a significant proportion of the money
donated goes to these projects; overhead is relatively low. This
means the recipients benefit more from each dollar given.
And a third reason is that Rotary has been good to me. My
friends are members, the meetings are lively, intelligent and fun, and
the local projects are relevant to the community needs (the food could
be better).
Ken of Pasadena Rotary
"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give" - Winston Churchill
Upon return from my experiences with Group Study
Exchange to Denmark in 1999, I was compelled to 'give back' to the
organization that meant so much to me, and had given me so many
wonderful opportunities. I became a Benefactor, and also became the
Chair of the GSE Committee, so what I didn't have in financial
resources, I could give in time and talent.
Now that
ten years and more have passed, I have had even more opportunities - for
service, for leadership, becoming District Governor. Giving to the
Permanent Fund of the Rotary Foundation ensures my love of Rotary and
support of its programs continues. It will allow others to experience
those same opportunities.
Chris of Alhambra Rotary
Simple: I enjoy giving while alive, it will be difficult to give when
dead!
Dave of East Los Angeles Rotary
Rotary has added so much to my life! I've had the opportunity to
help establish clean water resources in the Yucatan, assist in a medical
clinic in central Mexico, eradicate polio in India, build a computer
school for an impoverished village in rural India, and most recently, to
experience Brazil by being home-hosted with Rotarian families through
Group Study Exchange. These, and the service activities in my
community, continue to enrich my life. Adding to these
activities, are the friendships I have with people of impeccable
character and similar values - people I would not have the opportunity
to call "friend" absent our mutual affiliation with Rotary.
It's an easy decision for me to support the next generation so they
too can experience some of the benefits I've known. It's an honor
to bequeath some of my estate to Rotary International.
Adrienne of Las Vegas Southwest Rotary
The reason
that I have become a member of the Bequest Society this year is that I
have been blessed and I want to pass on a tradition of giving to my son
and granddaughter.
Hough of Victorville Rotary
I am a CPA and a financial planner so making The Rotary Foundation
(TRF) the ultimate beneficiary of my IRA was an easy choice. If I leave
my IRA to individual beneficiaries after my wife and I die, then the IRA
proceeds will be subjected to income and estate taxes that could
approach 82%! So my wife and I decided that we wanted to choose how my
IRA was spent by donating the proceeds to the Permanent Fund of TRF.
100% of the IRA will be invested by TRF. Half of the investment
earnings will go to the World Fund and half will come back to District
5300 to fund our district projects. Thus the IRA will help fund projects
that are important to us instead of going into the black hole of
government spending.
Greg of Pasadena Sunrise Rotary
I attended the RI convention for the first time in June (in Canada).
I witnessed the great deeds that the Rotary organization accomplishes.
As a result, it was an easy decision to step up my contributions to the
RI Foundation.
Mike of Pasadena Rotary
Why don't YOU join us on January 14 2011 at the Million Dollar
Dinner? Go to
www.District5300.org/MillionDollarDinner for the Bequest Society
Membership Card and other information related to donations or contact
Margaret Cooker at pdgcooker@verizon.net.
Arcadia Rotary Spearheads Pakistani Flood Victims Drive
In
an effort to provide assistance to the 12 million Pakistanis rendered
homeless or needing urgent assistance due to extreme flooding, the
Arcadia Rotary Club embarked on a fundraiser last month to raise funds
to provide temporary housing and other emergency supplies through the
ShelterBox program.
"We were shocked by the news reports that 20 million people have been affected by the flooding, with 10,000 schools leveled and 500 hospitals gone," said Arcadia Rotary president-elect Dr. Brad Miller. "We set out to raise $5,000 and met the challenge with contributions from individuals, The Rotary Foundation, and the Arcadia High School Interact Club."
According to Miller, "The Arcadia club challenged local Rotary clubs who usually work on their own projects to work together to help save lives overseas."
"Sierra Madre and Monrovia are working together to raise $5000 and Pasadena Rotary has pledged support for another $5000," said Miller. "For the $5000 raised by our club alone, the Foundation, and our Interact members, matching grants from Rotary International and District 5300 will raise the total to $17,000, enough to buy 17 ShelterBoxes that will shelter 170 people upon delivery."
"We set out to raise $5000 and send five shelter boxes to Pakistan," said Arcadia Rotarian Eric Barter. With donations from the other clubs, and additional matching grants, to be able to send 51 ShelterBoxes shows the power of Rotary at work! It is amazing!"
Inside each ShelterBox is a tent that can house up to ten people for temporary shelter during disasters such as earthquakes or floods. ShelterBoxes also include items such as thermal blankets, cooking equipment and other lifesaving and comfort items, depending on the nature of the disaster, along with food and water purification supplies for up to three weeks.
"The Rotary Clubs of Rawilpindi and Islamabad in Pakistan are working with our clubs in the San Gabriel Valley to oversee the delivery and installation of the ShelterBoxes," added Miller.
Tax deductable donations for the purchase of ShelterBoxes can be sent to the Arcadia Rotary Club, PO Box 660638, Arcadia, CA 91066. Checks should be made out to the Arcadia Rotary Club.
Operation Christmas Child
In
two short hours, 31 Rotarians alongside family & friends, completed the
extraordinary task of wrapping and packing 151 shoe boxes for Operation
Christmas Child! Thank you to Project Chair Rob Goldstein for
taking on this worthwhile project, and to his co-chair Robin Smith for
jumping in with both feet. Thanks to the Woodfield family for helping
complete the shopping for the gifts, to Steve Reiter for opening his
home to organized chaos, to Susan Elliott of Operation Christmas Child
for guiding us through the packing, and to all of the Rotarians who
participated. The boxes, which we can track during their journey,
will be shipped in November to some very deserving children around the
world. Each of you can know that you truly touched the life of a
child you may never meet with the caring and love our Club is known for.
Annual Programs Fund (Every
Rotarian, Every Year)
The
mission of the Annual Programs Fund mirrors that of The Rotary
Foundation: to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding,
goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of
education, and the alleviation of poverty.
Contributions
to the Annual Programs Fund through the Every Rotarian, Every Year
(EREY) initiative are the primary source of funding for Foundation
programs, which cover more than 160 countries and geographical areas on
seven continents. From digging water wells for villages in Africa to
teaching basic literacy skills to children in
Your donation can mean a world of
difference. For example, a contribution of $100 can fund one year of
tuition and books for two children in
If you give $100 per year through EREY, you
automatically become a Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member. By donating
$1,000 cumulative or more, you can become a Paul Harris Fellow.
You also can honor a friend or family
member through a named gift to the Annual Programs Fund.
World
Polio Day
Mayor Rudy Cabriales presented a proclamation to Don Brown and Teressa DeAtley at the Victorville City Council meeting October 19 2010. The Rotary Clubs of Victor Valley Sunrise and Victorville were recognized for their work to eradicate polio in the work and October 24 was declared World Polio Day in Victorville.
Group
Study Exchange Team Selected
The District 5300 Group Study Exchange Team is heading to District
2450 - Dubai, Bahrain and Egypt - in April 2011.
Four team members and two alternates were chosen from a group of 12
applicants. This year's process included a half-day orientation
where 6 finalists participated in team-building activities designed to
let them know one another, and for us Rotarians to get to know them.
DGN Sylvia Whitlock hosted the event in her lovely home. It was
also a potluck, and some brought Middle Eastern home-made food.
2010 GSE team member Jacque Maples worked with GSE Committee Chair
Adrienne Cox in planning the event, and Jacque, whose vocation is
professional development, introduced hands-on activities designed to
enhance the experience.
As to the GSE applicants:
they were a sterling group! It was the most challenging of
decisions to determine which 6 of the original 12 would be invited to
the orientation, and even more challenging to decide which were to be
team members and which were alternates. Each applicant was an
accomplished and charismatic young professional.
Our team, led by Paul Finchamp (Pasadena Sunrise Rotarian and Rotary
Foundation Alumni), includes:
Gina Chattin, age 32,
sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Marino. Gina is the Director
of Media for the Pasadena Rose Bowl Game.
John Montes,
age 32, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Las Vegas West. John is in
residential real estate sales with Realty One Group.
Stephen Yoss, age 25, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Claremont.
Steve is an entrepreneur and information technology expert, and owns his
own business, Executive Leadership.
Silva Zeneian, age
31, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pasadena Sunrise. She is Vice
President of IDS Real Estate Group.
The position of
team alternate is a critical one. The alternate Team Leader,
Raghada Khoury, Rotary Club of Apple Valley, and the member alternates,
Eric Camarena and Michael "Zach" Whitley, will participate in the
planning and learning activities that are scheduled monthly until the
April departure. Should the leader or a member be unable to go on
the month-long trip, we'll have excellent people ready and willing to
jump in.
Paul has expressed a desire to seek
contributions from many of our Rotary clubs to help support the team
members' unfunded expenses. You'll be hearing more from him about
this.
Each of the GSE team has expressed their thanks for this life-changing opportunity! Thanks to those Rotary clubs who sought out qualified candidates and supported them through the selection process.
Looking for a program for November – Rotary
Foundation Month? Contact GSE Committee Chair Adrienne Cox and her
team, who can speak on their adventures in Brazil.
The "Hawk" Soars Once Again
Born
in Gardena, California, on July 2, 1973, Juaquin "HAWK" Hawkins knew
early on what he wanted to do in life; to graduate from college and to
become an NBA player. A graduate of California State University, Long
Beach, Hawkins played pre-season with the Los Angeles Lakers and
Clippers, Bucks, Warriors, and Houston Rockets. He toured with the
Harlem Globetrotters. In 2008, he played for the Gold Coast Blaze.
January, 1, 2008, Australia. NBA player Juaquin "HAWK" Hawkins cannot
talk. He cannot hear. His whole right side is numb. He is rushed to the
hospital. The "HAWK," only 34-years-old, has suffered a stroke. It is
unimaginable that this articulate, intelligent and physically fit
athlete could not recite his ABC's nor remember the names of his
children. For the next 1 1/2 years with the love and support of his
wife, children and childhood friends, Hawkins began the long and arduous
journey back to health.
Today. Fourteen months after
suffering a debilitating stroke, Juaquin Hawkins is back in the game. He
played a major role in leading the IBL Los Angeles Lightning to a league
championship. He has written a book, "Soaring With the Hawk," which will
be released in the fall. A movie about his life entitled, "Seeds of
Hope," is in the works. Juaquin is Ambassador of the American Stroke
Association and co-founder of Hawk Hoops Basketball Camp, a youth
basketball program organization established in 2003. The basketball camp
teaches boys and girls basic basketball skills while encouraging
teamwork, discipline, leadership, and respect. Welcome back, HAWK!
Warning signs of a stroke:
- Trouble walking
- Trouble speaking
- Trouble understanding
- Paralysis or numbness on one side of your body or face
- Trouble seeing with both eyes or one eye
- Headache
If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately or go to your
nearest emergency room. The longer the symptoms go untreated, the
greater the chances of permanent brain damage or physical disability.
Special thanks to Luanne Arredondo for this great program! Our club
had 47 Rotarians and guests in attendance!
Warm for Winter
The Rotaract Club of Las Vegas will be collecting new & un-used gloves & winter hats for elementary school children within the Las Vegas community. We hope you will take part in this joint – effort to provide a warm winter to a child.
Your glove and hat donations will be
distributed to over 200 school children at the annual Santa Clothes
event on December 1st 2010
All gloves, hats, & monetary donations will be collected now through NOVEMBER 15TH!
Donations can be sent to:
Rotaract Club of Las Vegas
C/O Amanda Hurst
4505 S Maryland Parkway Box 452013
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Congratulations to Las Vegas West and Las Vegas Fremont
These two clubs are the first to submit applications for the District Simplified Grant program in the Rotary year! And be awarded cash grants for local projects.
Las Vegas West has created a program entitled, "Building Community - One Book at a Time," cleverly building upon the President Ray Klinginsmith's international theme: Building Communities, Bridging Continents. They received a $1500 grant that will match their $1500 for books to be purchased and provided to at-risk young students in five Clark County elementary schools.
Las Vegas Fremont also submitted a grant that was approved. Their project? Refurbishing the Reading Room at the Agassi Boys and Girl's Club with new furniture, new bookshelves, and reading materials. They also received the maximum amount of an $1500 cash match.
Your club can also get funds by submitting a project, requesting a 1:1 match of between $500 and $1500 for a local or small international project. The project must be completed in THIS Rotary year, must be a new project for the club, and must include a 'hands-on' element.
These funds come back to the District from monies YOU donated to the Rotary Foundation in 2007-08, in a 50% SHARE process, some of which is allocated to the District Simplified Grants program to help clubs do good works.
The form and additional information is on the District website under Rotary Foundation. Think bigger, better, bolder! What does your community need, and how can you best meet that need with matching grant monies? Clubs can join together on projects and we can match both clubs' funding!
District 5300 California Rotary clubs - where are you?
Alhambra Rotary Hosts Charity Reverse Raffle and Gala Dinner
The Rotary Club of Alhambra is hosting its 33rd Annual Raffle and Dinner on Friday, November 12, and proceeds from the raffle and live and silent auctions will benefit Alhambra Rotary Charities Foundation service projects in the Alhambra-area community.
Dinner attendees are urged to attend wearing 70s attire (or cocktail wear) and "warned" to be ready to learn some disco moves. The event, after all, is entitled "Rotary Raffle Night Fever!"
Dinner tickets are $55, the disco is free! Raffle tickets are $100 (500 maximum to be sold) and the last ticket drawn will win $10,000. Other prizes, ranging from $200 to $2,500, will be awarded at strategic points during the raffle. Raffle rules and an application form are available at www.alhambrarotary.com (click on newsletter).