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D1100 Foundation Newsletter - Autumn 2004.
FOUNDATION MATTERS -- Oh Yes it does!
Hello There! Well, here I am in the third month of the second year of my term of office as District 1100 Foundation Chairman, and its time for the Autumn Newsletter. I can hardly believe it either. So where have we come from? Where are we now? Where are we planning to go?
I'll deal with the last question first. In this, the Centennial year of Rotary, the wish is to see the support of ERIC (Every Rotarians International Charity) increase overall and achieve a per capita contribution of $100.( About £55.00 at current exchange rates). Many clubs already achieve this level of support, and ,frankly, I don't think that its an impossible dream. With the help of Gift Aid, its pennies per day, about 15 p by my calculations, less than a newspaper, less than a cup of tea, and I can't park my car anywhere in Cheltenham for an hour for that money. Get to it, lads and lassies all, you know it can be done, ERIC needs and deserves your support.
ANNUAL PROGRAMMES FUND
Last year, DG Mike Gelder set a target of $100,000 contribution to the Annual Programmes Fund, and interim figures suggest that we may only achieve 86% of that sum. It's a bit disappointing, particularly when you know that some clubs collected the money but did not transmit the cash in time for it to be included in the years totals. This is a pity, because it affects the amount of cash District will have available in 2007 for Matching Grants and District Simplified Grants. It may also affect a Clubs eligibility for Matching Grant support if the history of contribution to the Annual Programmes Fund does not meet District Criteria.
However, the GOOD NEWS is that in RIBI overall, the 29 Districts contributed a record amount,$2,700,255 with a per capita figure of $42.66. The 'Spread & Save' initiative kicked in more than £300,000 nationally, and maybe there are some filled or nearly filled jars yet to be transmitted. Not a bad idea to let the scheme roll on through this year too, it seems a fairly painless way of maintaining support, particularly if its Gift Aided. Talking of Gift Aid, I hear that some Clubs may not apply the Government rules correctly and so lose out.
Sarah Hick tells me that there are some clarification details on the way to Clubs fairly soon.
PERMANENT FUND
I make no apology for bringing your attention to this Fund, its designed to provide a capital sum, only the interest and product of the investments of the fund can be applied to projects. Its built up by donation in one form or another, in many cases the donations are in the form of legacies or similar pledges. i.e. be a Benefactor. Recent press coverage has raised the possibility that IHT levels be raised to 50% over certain levels, so it means that by adding just a few well chosen words to your will, you can reduce your level of IHT liability at no cost to yourself. It need not be just Rotarians who can do this, family members can be included. There are different levels of Benefactors and recognition can be given if you wish. I am happy to give further details, just ask.
POLIO ERADICATION CAMPAIGN
Neal Farr of the Ledbury Club has agreed to continue to act as the PEC guy for ERIC this year. We are almost there, thanks to the super support of Clubs over the past years. However, the programme just doesn't stop, there are still a few pockets of infection yet to be eliminated, so support is still required. All contributions are appreciated, and have you got your car stickers? They are only a quid a time and they help you to do your bit to give the project the publicity it deserves..
FOUNDATION CALENDARS AND CHRISTMAS CARDS
There's just time to place a late order for the Centennial Calendar, if you get your skates on. They are £3.00 each, a £1.00 goes to Foundation and orders for 50 or more can have the Club or Company logo overprinted at no extra cost. Another good way to raise the Rotary profile. Send your orders with cheques please to Rtn Dick Rose, Rotary Calendar Co-0rdinator, 26 Reynards Copse, Highwoods, Colchester CO4 4 UR
AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARS
Andy Clements of the Bristol Breakfast Club has picked up the role of Co-0rdinator for the Scholars this year. We are hosts to four Ambasadorial Scholars , they are, Lucy Stroup, Justen Thomas, Julian Mc Bride from the USA and Fuapepe Fesili Stanley from Samoa. You will be able to welcome them at the District Council meeting on Tuesday the 12th of October. Do invite them to speak at your Club, and endeavour to meet them at the District Conference in Torquay, or at the zone weekends in Gloucester, Worcester and Swindon. Subject to the demands of their studies, they'll be pleased to come along .
GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE.
In the Spring Newsletter, I wished the outgoing GSE team to Romania ,Bon Voyage. Little did I know then that the Team leader would withdraw at a late stage due to personal reasons, and guess who filled the gap? Right first time, yours truly! It was an unforgettable experience and the Team will give a short presentation at the District Council Meeting on the 12th of October. We saw many things including projects being undertaken by Rotary Clubs in Romania, many of which might qualify for Matching Grant support. Do also invite them to your club to tell you all about their experiences. My very sincere thanks and appreciation goes to Jill Johnston for all the hard work and attention to detail that went into the planning and organisation of the exchange.
In February 2005 we will be host to the incoming Team from Mumbai, India. and Richard Hollick of the Stonehouse Club is in charge of the planning and composition of the vocational experience. He has been very encouraged by the response from Clubs to his questionnaire, and we know that this District is capable of giving one of the very best GSE experiences in the world. He is also heartened by the response for candidates for Team leader for the return visit, interviews are planned to take place sometime in October, so applications please as soon as possible.
MATCHING GRANTS
This year, IPDG Mike Gelder of the Clevedon Club has taken over, from Colin Eynon, the responsibility for administering the Matching Grants. I think its appropriate to place on record the appreciation and thanks of the District Executive of all the work that Colin has done over the term of his responsibility.
Applications for Matching Grants can be submitted up to the 31st of March 2005,but remember that applications are considered on a 'first come ,first served basis', so if you have a project in mind apply as soon as you can, before the cash is exhausted. If you feel that you need help with the criteria then give us a call, there is a wealth of knowledge and experience about in District.
Congratulations are due to the Clubs of Keynsham Chew Valley and Kingswood who are collaborating with a project in South Africa with the help of a Matching Grant. You see, you don't have to be alone, collaboration can and does work.
DISTRICT SIMPLIFIED GRANTS
I am pleased to report that last year, the first year of operation, the District Simplified Grant concept was a success with four projects completed.
This year we have 11 grants available of $1000.00 each and at the timer of writing 7 applications have been received. Remember to check the criteria, but briefly, projects should be novel, capable of publicity, and not necessarily international, they can be local. Put on your thinking caps and your skates and submit the application as soon as you can, the District will see that they are processed quickly
ROTARY VOLUNTEERS.
This is a scheme whereby Rotarians with experience and skills that can be used in parts of the developing world can be supported.
Your Club might have someone who would fill the bill and be a Centennial Volunteer. More info can be obtained via the RI Website http://www.rotary.org/foundation/index.html. Log on and find out what you can do.
ROTARY ALUMNI
PDG Alan Martin continues with the seemingly thankless task of getting Clubs to communicate Alumni information. We do seem to risk the loss of our investment by not keeping in touch with those who have benefit from Rotary activity and funds, don't we? Do help Alan with his job and give him the info he needs.
AND FINALLY………
This year, DG Paul and I will try something different in the communication stakes, by involving the Assistant Governors in Foundation activities. Levels of knowledge and experience vary amongst individual Rotarians, and the District Executive is no exception. The aim is to increase knowledge and interest at all levels in the hope that good communication will enhance the awareness of the value of Rotary Foundation, ERIC Informal estimates suggest that last year, the Clubs in District 1100 raised and contributed somewhere in the region of £1,000,000 to various charitable causes, and barely £ 100,000 to our own charity. This suggests that there is ample scope left to give support to ERIC, and how many clubs receive help from other Charities? I think we all know the answer to that one.
So where have we been? Well not a bad show of support and use of ERIC, but maybe more
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