Rotary’s own charity — funded by Rotarians for programmes identified by Rotarians and administered by Rotarians at the project site
At a recent lunch held to promote Rotary’s own Charity “The Rotary Foundation” Ronnie White, the Foundation committee chairman of The Rotary Club of Comber, said that “Foundation,” which is Rotary International’s only charity, is very significant and had given approximately £1 billion to worthy causes since inception (perhaps its best known activity is the eradication of 99% of polio cases worldwide in the last 20 years at a cost of nearly £300m).
Whilst giving has continued to rise each year to £80m in the last calendar year the need unfortunately continues to outstrip the money available. Rotary is therefore appealing to Rotarians their families and friends to consider personal giving as well as testamentary gifts.
Ronnie White stressed that “Foundation’s” mission is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education and the alleviation of poverty.
An important aspect of “Foundation” is therefore the educational grants which currently takes 25% of available money for:
• Rotary world peace fellowship
• Ambassadorial scholarships
• Rotary grants for university teachers
• Group study exchanges
A unique feature of its humanitarian charity work is that local projects which meet the criteria receive 100% matching funding from the “Foundation”.
The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE)
This 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.
Rotarian Ronnie White explained that Rotary District Ireland in cooperation with the Northern Districts of Australia were planning a group exchange to East Timor in 2008 and are currently looking for suitable candidates. He appealed for anybody interested to contact him for further information about the program. Ronnie White’s Mobile Number is 07774419520.
If you would like to become involved in the activities of Comber Rotary Club you can find out more “About us” by visiting http://www.comberrotary.org/
Photo Caption:
Rotary Foundation Chairman Ronnie White (Seated) explains his programme to committee members (Left to right) Walter Kelly, Mike Moore and Cyril Johnston
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Submitted by phillip on Fri, 2007-11-16 18:47.
