PolioPlus Program
PolioPlus, the most ambitious program in Rotary's history, is the volunteer arm of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. For more than 25 years, Rotary has led the private sector in the global effort to rid the world of this crippling disease. Today, PolioPlus and its role in the initiative is recognized worldwide as a model of public-private cooperation in pursuit of a humanitarian goal.
- To date, Rotary has contributed more than US$1 billion.
- Rotary’s leadership, beginning in 1985, inspired the World Health Assembly to pass a resolution to eradicate polio, which paved the way for the formation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988.
- Thousands of Rotarians around the world have volunteered during National Immunization Days to immunize children.
- The PolioPlus program helps Rotary fund operational costs, such as transportation, vaccine delivery, social mobilization, and training of health workers, and support surveillance activities.Read more about what happens before, during, and after a National Immunization Day (NID).
- Rotarians work to encourage both donor and polio-affected governments to commit the political and financial resources needed to eradicate polio.
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District 7950
Governor
Joe Clancy
Welcomes You
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May 2013 (District Conference Month)--Message from President Sakuji Tanaka
Dear fellow Rotarians,
From the moment I was nominated as Rotary International president, I knew I would choose a theme that would focus on peace. This is why I planned three peace forums – to give Rotarians an opportunity to think about peace, to talk about peace, and to share their ideas on building peace together. The final Rotary Global Peace Forum takes place this month in Hiroshima, Japan.
We hear the word peace every day. But most of us spend little time thinking about what peace is. On its simplest level, we can define peace by what it is not. It is a state of no war, no violence, and no fear. It means that you are not in danger of hunger, or persecution, or the suffering of poverty.
But we can also define peace by what it is, and by what it can be. Peace can mean freedom of thought and of speech, freedom of opinion and of choice, and the ability for self-determination. It can mean security, confidence in the future – a life and home in a stable society. On a more abstract level, peace can mean a sense of happiness, of inner serenity, of calm.
However we use the word, however we understand peace, Rotary can help us to achieve it. Rotary helps us to meet the basic needs of others – to provide health care, sanitation, food, and education when and where they are most needed. It helps to meet the inner needs as well, for friendship, connection, and caring. And Rotary helps us to build peace in its most traditional sense, by reducing the causes of conflict. It builds bridges of friendship and tolerance among people and nations. It helps us to understand one another.
However we define peace, whatever peace means to us, we can bring it closer through service. Peace, in all of the ways that we can understand it, is a real goal, and a realistic goal for Rotary. Peace is not something that can only be achieved through treaties, by governments, or through heroic struggles. It is something that we can find, and that we can achieve – every day, and in many simple ways.
And so I thank you for your commitment to Peace Through Service – and to a Rotary goal of a more peaceful world.
Fellow Rotarians:
Rotary International Districts 5770 and 5750 are supporting the relief and recovery efforts related to the tragic events in Moore, Oklahoma, and the destruction from the tornado that hit there on May 20. Many families and friends have suffered great loss. It is estimated that there were between 12,000 and 13,000 homes destroyed or damaged, in addition to businesses and schools.
Tax-deductible donations to help in those efforts are being accepted. Those who would like to help by donating may send checks to:
Oklahoma Rotary
Bi-District Tornado Disaster Fund
P.O. Box 13800
Oklahoma City OK 73113-3800 USA
Contributions may also be done online using VISA, MasterCard or Discover by clicking the "Donate Now" link below:
DONATE NOW
Funds received by our Rotary Bi-District 501(c)3 Foundation will be used exclusively for the benefit of those affected by this terrible event. Donations are tax deductible and all donations will be acknowledged.
The effort in helping the community and individuals who have been affected by these destructive forces is being coordinated by leaders from Rotary District 5770 (which includes Moore and Cleveland County) and Rotary District 5750 (which includes south Oklahoma City), and will work in conjunction with and in support of the Moore Rotary Club and local and state officials.
This information is also available at the District 5770 Web Site.
Click here to view the professional photos from this years District Conference in Plymouth!
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Monthly messages of Foundation Trustee Chair Wilfrid J. Wilkinson
May 2013
In Canada, May is usually a beautiful month. Spring has blossomed, trees and flowers are in bloom, and everyone is filled with a renewed energy as winter finally comes to a close. The changing of seasons can also serve as a time for action as Rotarians bring a fresh perspective to the goals they set for the 2012-13 year.
Every Rotarian, every contribution, and every project makes a difference every year. Through The Rotary Foundation, we can all do our part to work toward global peace from the ground up. Has your club worked on a humanitarian or educational project through the Foundation? And if not – why not?
There is still time to make your contribution. There is still time to give a community the chance to drink clean water, a young girl the opportunity to attend school, and a mother the access to the safe maternal care she needs. Contact your district Rotary Foundation chair and see how you and the other Rotarians in your club or district can participate.
I understand the impact these difficult economic times have had on all of us, but we still need your help. Foundation programs and projects all start with money. I hope each Rotarian reading my message will have given something based on his or her own situation. It doesn’t take much from each individual when you have the support of more than 1.2 million members, but that assumes 100 percent support. If you’ve given, I thank you sincerely. But if you haven’t, I hope you will as together we make May a great month for Rotary and for our Foundation.
20th International Night is a Win-Win for All !
By Rona Mann
More than 100 Rotarians, exchange students, their parents, families, and friends filled the ballroom at White's April 22nd for what was billed as The 20th Anniversary of International Night.
Started by the Westerly Club in 1993, this event has grown to be one of the most popular events on our yearly calendar. In total, 18 students were introduced and spoke to the crowd about the countries they were from, the countries to which they would be going; and their hopes, dreams, fears, and thoughts about the process. The "kids" were forthcoming, funny, wistful, and wonderful, utterly charming a crowd who had dined on roast beef, seafood newburg, and partaken of a decadent chocolate fountain with tempting dessert nibbles.
A printed program bore the names of all the students who had come and gone through our district over the past two decades of the program along with photos of the kids and quotes and letters from students and parents during the past 20 years.
The event was co-sponsored by Westerly, Cumberland-Lincoln, Nauset Orleans, Martha's Vineyard, North Kingstown, and Woonsocket.
BEQUEST SOCIETY
Help secure the future of
Rotary's educational and humanitarian programs by including The Rotary
Foundation in your estate plans. To learn more and to bring education on
this topic to your club, contact Rotarian Gary Rayberg at 781-682-6209 ext 208
or e-mail to grayberg@roibusinessbrokers.com.
All Bequest Society members receive
recognition from the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation. Donors may elect to
receive an engraved crystal recognition piece and a Bequest Society pin. There
are several ways to leave a bequest to the Foundation and all amounts are greatly
appreciated.
To learn more contact Gary or click on this
link. Bequest Society.
“We Are Rotary” is a new weekly radio show that broadcasts live from the AM790 (WPRV) studio in East Providence, Rhode Island each Thursday from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The show features guest Rotarians (local, national and international), call-ins from listeners, and lively conversation about the mission, membership and programs of Rotary International. The show is co-hosted by Rotarians David Clifton, 2007-08 district 7950 governor from the Sharon (Mass.) Rotary Club, and Betty Galligan, 2005-06 past president of the East Providence/Seekonk Rotary Club. Click below to tune in!