Connecting the Dots
An Update from the Foundation Committee
By: Sarah MacGillivray, Secretary, and Public Image Coordinator, District Foundation Committee, RC of Bath Sunrise
Happy New Year to all and hoping that everyone enjoyed the beautiful holiday season. Of course, starting a new year always makes me reflect on the past year and the things that made an impression on me. One of my favorite things from last year was an event that happened on World Polio Day. I was so proud of our District’s own Brenda Cressey, member of the Ogunquit Rotary Club and Past Trustee Chair, who took part in the Focus on Polio event. What a successful event, I know I learned a lot! Dave Considine, the Foundation Chair of the Hampton Rotary Club, dedicated their club meeting to watching the End Polio Now event live, showing support to Brenda Cressey, but also educating all of their club members on the most up to date information on the fight against polio. Who knows what project ideas may have come from this simple idea, and the good work that will come from it?This year I would like to focus on the good that Rotarians in our District are doing. Please reach out and share your stories with me. The collective impact that our Rotary District makes is immense, and I hope we all realize it is made possible because of the active participation and dedication of every single member. We also have to acknowledge that The Rotary Foundation is able to help make our projects possible because of donations that each one of us makes. That means our annual donations to TRF, but also our estate planning or legacy gifts.
As I hope you all remember, a generous District 7780 anonymous donor has made a legacy gift to support the
ShareForever 7780 Million Dollar Challenge up to one million dollars! This generous challenge gift can double the impact of YOUR legacy gift and multiply the impact you will have on Rotary’s work - forever. We will be holding fireside chats around our district to share more information for anyone who is interested in the next steps needed to move forward. If you are interested, please email us at shareforever@rotary7780.org.
For our Club Foundation Chairs, or anyone who would like to learn the ABCs of OUR Rotary Foundation: In addition to our four Rotary Moments for this month, I am also including a link to some very helpful videos. Click HERE to watch them.
Please make sure to share these Rotary Moments with your club members, or even a potential member!
Rotary Moments:
WHAT IS A ROTARY FOUNDATION SUSTAINING MEMBER?
A Sustaining Member is someone who contributes US$100 or more each year to the Annual Fund. These contributions count toward several different kinds of individual recognition and club recognition banners.
For about US$10 a month, you can be a Sustaining Member and help provide life-changing opportunities for people on a yearly basis!
WHAT IS A PAUL HARRIS FELLOW?
Paul Harris Fellow recognition is given to anyone who contributes at least US$1,000 to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved global grant. This recognition, which consists of a certificate and pin, can also be given on behalf of someone else.
More than 1.85 million people have become Paul Harris Fellows since 1957, including notable figures such as former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, and polio vaccine developer Dr. Jonas Salk.
If you’d like to learn more about the history of the Paul Harris Fellow, Click HERE
WHAT IS A PAUL HARRIS SOCIETY MEMBER?
The Paul Harris Society recognizes people who commit to contributing US$1,000 or more each year to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved global grant. The society’s purpose is to honor and thank people for their generous and ongoing support of The Rotary Foundation.
Paul Harris Society contributions count toward several different kinds of individual recognition, and members receive a chevron-style pin and a certificate. Members are also listed in the Paul Harris Society Report.
If you would like to join The Paul Harris Society, the membership form can be downloaded by Clicking HERE
HOW DOES THE ROTARY FOUNDATION RECOGNIZE ROTARY CLUBS?
Donations to the Foundation are essential to securing and expanding our programs throughout the world. We recognize with gratitude clubs that make extraordinary contributions.
- 100% Paul Harris Fellow Club: These are clubs in which all dues-paying members are Paul Harris Fellows. The club receives a banner. This is a one-time recognition, but the intent is that the club will maintain its status.
- 100% Foundation Giving Club: This banner is given to clubs that have an average of US$100 in per capita giving and in which every dues-paying member donates at least $25 during the year to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, the Endowment, or approved global grants.
- Every Rotarian, Every Year Club: This banner is awarded to clubs that have a minimum Annual Fund contribution of $100 per capita during the year and in which every dues-paying member personally contributes at least $25 to the Annual Fund in that time period.
- Top Three Per Capita in Annual Fund Giving: These banners are presented each year to the three clubs in each district with the highest per capita Annual Fund giving.
- 100% Paul Harris Society Club: This banner is awarded to clubs in which every dues-paying member contributes at least $1,000 during the year to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved global grant.
- 100% Rotary’s Promise Club: These are clubs in which every dues-paying member supports the Endowment with an outright gift of $1,000 or more or a commitment of at least that amount in an estate plan. These clubs receive a certificate upon request.
Will you help your club be recognized by the Foundation this year?