Ward Nelson - The Rotary Foundation 
 

Ward identified two goals: To explain the Rotary Foundation and to convince us to donate. To do that he explained the beginning of the Rotary Foundation in 1917 after Rotary was founded by Paul Harris in 1905 - an organization that is global in reach and effectiveness. Those members who ultimately donate $1,000 to the Foundation are designated Paul Harris fellows, of which we have many, some having donated much more than $1,000 in their Rotary membership.

 

Worldwide the 1.4 million Rotarians have donated $5.7 billion for the works of the Foundation. There are three funds, the Annual Program Fund, Polio Plus, and the Permanent Fund (or endowment fund). The Annual Fund is where our undesignated donations go and after three years, 50% of that comes back to the District to distribute in matching grants that have so richly enhanced communities locally, regionally, and internationally. Our club has provided benches, litter containers, tables, and other furniture around Whiteside Park, the Trezona Trail and Veterans Memorial, and many other locations, with 50% paid from the Rotary Foundation and the rest from our local fundraisers. Currently we have received funding for handicapped accessible picnic table for Veterans on the Lake resort.

 

We also participate in the worldwide effort to eliminate Polio from the globe,  one of the most effective and efficient efforts of our Rotary International and something our Club supports annually with an amount equal to the year - $2,022 this year.

 

Please consider starting a donation or continuing or increasing your donation to this worthy cause.