| The Rotary Foundation--'Doing Good in the World' |
| Editor: Chuck Bartling |
| Posted on Oct 30 2009 |
 | In 1917, past Rotary International President Arch Klumph created an endowment fund with the purpose of "doing good in the world." The initial contribution to this fund was $26.50. In 1928, when the endowment fund had grown to more than $5,000, the fund was renamed The Rotary
Foundation, and it became a distinct entity within Rotary International. |
Today, The Rotary Foundation has grown to more than $1 billion. Who has made this possible?
Rotarians like you through your support of the various programs of The Rotary Foundation. I thank
you. The Rotary Foundation thanks you, and most importantly all those human beings the world over in whose lives you make a difference, they thank you.
I sincerely believe that there is nothing more noble in this world than to make a positive impact on the life of a human being. And that is what you do by your support of The Rotary Foundation. I urge you to continue supporting TRF.
To assist you in becoming a new or multiple Paul Harris Fellow, our district will match a contribution of $500 cash with 500 points. This will be available to all District 6440 Rotarians on a first-come basis until the available points are exhausted.
Our work of doing good continues. We have to fulfill our promise to eradicate polio. We are fortunate that polio has been eradicated in the U.S. However, polio is still prevalent in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Nigeria (P.A.I.N.) Polio is a contagious disease and we cannot stop now. At the recent R.I. International Convention held in Birmingham, England, the Secretary General of the UN, Baan Ki Moon, said: "Rotarians, I am with you in the fight against polio. Let us get rid of this
disease now!"
Eradicating polio is the No. 1 priority of The Rotary Foundation and we will continue until the job is
done. I ask every club in our district to pursue a program to create awareness and raise funds for
polio eradication. Participate in the District 6440 polio eradication cookbook program. As we commemmorate Rotary Foundation Month, I encourage every club to have at least one program featuring The Rotary Foundation. Invite Foundation alumni (Ambassadorial Scholar, GSE member, Peace Scholar) as a guest speaker. Publicize the works of the Foundation that your club has supported in your local newspaper, radio, and TV.
On November 24, we celebrate Thanksgiving. I have a lot to be thankful for--my family, my
friends, my Rotary family, the opportunity to be a Rotarian, and the honor of being your District
Governor. Thank you. My wife Pam and I wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday. THE FUTURE OF ROTARY IS IN YOUR HANDS.
Bill Ferreira, Governor, District 6440 |
