The following message is courtesy of our Foundation Chair George Blenkhorn
Dear fellow Rotarians,
Whether you are a club president, a district governor, or a Rotary committee chair, we all spend May and June busily preparing for the upcoming transition in July. Soon, another Rotary year will come to a close. But it’s not an ending. In so many ways, it’s just the beginning.
There is only so much we can do in the 365 days we’re given. Our Foundation was founded a century ago and exists today because we Rotarians have a long-term vision — our commitment to end polio and our dedication to sustainable global grants projects are two examples. While we may not see the result of a Rotary project during a given Rotary year, the seeds we plant today will be harvested as rich fruit in the years to come.
This year, we are on target to achieve our goal of raising $360 million, thanks to the generous support of you and so many of your fellow Rotarians and friends. Just think for a moment — of that money, how much will become drops of polio vaccine next year, and whose lives will those drops save? How much of it will be used to fund literacy initiatives? How many people’s lives will be transformed by a global grant water project in two, four, or 10 years?
The Rotary Foundation’s impact grows with each passing year, and so does its reputation. This year, for the 10th consecutive year, Charity Navigator — the leading independent charity evaluator in the U.S. — gave the Foundation a four-star rating. Our Foundation ranks among the top 1 percent of charities it evaluates.
The Rotary Foundation remains on a strong footing, and it will continue to grow and prosper, because we Rotarians work together so well, annually handing off leadership to our trusted friends. As I pass the torch to Past RI President Ron D. Burton, who will bring his unique talents and leadership to the position of trustee chair in July, I know that our future is in good hands.
Rotary leaders also regularly pass the torch to the next generation, which is eager for the chance to serve. Today, more than 200,000 Rotaractors are dedicated to making a difference on the issues that matter to our world and their communities. Show them how The Rotary Foundation can help them achieve their dreams of Doing Good in the World.
I encourage you to invite the Rotaractors you know to get involved with The Rotary Foundation by applying for a scholarship or peace fellowship, partnering with a Rotary club on a global grant project, joining a Rotary club while they are still members of Rotaract, or giving a gift to support Rotary’s humanitarian work around the world. By taking the action of engaging younger professionals today, we are preparing Rotary’s future leaders to leave their own legacy.
Our Rotary Foundation brought so much good into this world in its first century. And with your support, it will continue to do so well into the future. If you haven’t made a contribution yet this Rotary year, I hope you will consider doing so today. And as you go forth, continue to support the Foundation and let others know about its work. You may never hear it with your own ears, but somewhere, future generations will thank you for it.
Paul A. Netzel
Chair, The Rotary Foundation 2017-18
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