The 4-way Test-Of the things we think, say or do 1. Is it the TRUTH? | 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? | 4.Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

****JavaScript based drop down DHTML menu generated by NavStudio. (OpenCube Inc. - http://www.opencube.com)****

ROTARY FOUNDATION
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International was created in 1917 for the purpose of “doing good in the world.”. Today, with the involvement of a million Rotarians in more than 24,000clubs in over 165 lands to supervise projects, and with the prestige of Rotary International to focus attention on world problems, the Rotary Foundation is uniquely able to address the object of world understanding and peace through its efficient and effective international humanitarian and educational programs. Approximately $80 million is contributed annually and $120 million is spent on programs with some of the funds coming from interest of the permanent fund. One way you can contribute to the Rotary Foundation is to become a Paul Harris Fellow.

A summary of programs follows:

SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships cover travel, housing, food, tuition for one academic year. Scholars serve as “ambassadors of goodwill” while studying in a country other than their own. More than 1300 scholarships are awarded annually. Categories include:
Graduate
Undergraduate
Vocational
Teachers of Handicapped
Journalism

HEALTH, HUNGER, AND HUMANITY GRANTS (3-H): One-to-three year projects include agri-forestry, health care, education, food production and distribution, community development, living condition improvement, vocational training and literacy.

POLIOPLUS: The Foundation is committed to eradicate polio and seven other childhood diseases in all the children of the world by 2005. Rotary provides the vaccine and trains members for this immunization effort. More than one billion children worldwide have been immunized since 1985. In one day 135 million children were immunized in India.

Our club members have contributed more than $18,000 to PolioPlus.

Back to top
Down to Services

GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE: This program enables teams of business and professional non- Rotarians in different countries to exchange visits of approximately six weeks to develop international friendships and to study business, cultural, and political systems of the host country. Each of two paired Rotary districts in different parts of the world sends and receives a team that visits notable governmental, educational and cultural institutions, while staying in homes of local Rotarians.

Our club has hosted numerous Group Study Teams. Two Rivers business and professional non- Rotarians have gone to other countries on teams. Frank Schmidt, a TR club member was the leader of a team to England in 1995.

SPECIAL GRANTS: Grants support educational or charitable projects of Rotary clubs or districts. Some examples are dental equipment for refugee camps in Hong Kong, drilling wells for poor villages on the Amazon River in Brazil and youth-oriented projects.

In 1992, our club members contributed approximately $ 20,000 and the Foundation granted an additional $20,000 to provide solar powered ovens to Haiti because the Hatians were cutting down their last remaining trees for fuel. The ovens were used by families to cook their meal, bakeries, and hospitals to sanitize equipment.

In 2000 our club members contributed $3675 for the Jaipur Foot project which provided an artificial foot to land mine victims which cost $100 each.

Back to top Down to Services

DISCOVERY GRANTS: The grants provide seed money in the form of travel and related expenses for the development of new international service projects.

PEACE FORUM: The forums are designed to examine the role individual Rotarians, Rotary, and other non-governmental organizations can play in the achievement of peace. This program offers a series of conferences focused on the issues related to conflict resolution and public participation in peacemaking.

Our club usually sends our outbound exchange students to the Peace Forum at Carthage College in Racine.

UNIVERSITY TEACHERS TO SERVE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: Grants are funded of $10,000 for up to 10 higher education faculty members to teach for a period of six to ten months in developing countries.

FUNDS AND PROJECTS

Approximately $60 million annually is contributed to the Annual Program Fund which is used for administrative costs, with the projects of 60% of the balance being decided by the District and 40% decided by the Foundation trustees. Our District contributes approximately $110,000 annually and decides on 5 – 10 projects annually. The world wide contributions to this fund are $49 per member and our district is $29 per member.

Approximately $20 million annually is contributed to the Restricted Fund which is used 100% for specific projects with no allocation of administrative costs. Our club has contributed directly to the Sun Oven and Jaipur Foot projects.

A portion of the earnings from the Permanent Fund (endowment ) is used to additionally fund projects.

An excellent pamphlet You and your Rotary Foundation explaining the Foundation is available from the Foundation 847 866 3000.
Make a pledge to the Foundation.

Back to top