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He said he comes with a personal message, not as representative of the District Foundation Committee or the Rotary Foundation, but listed out many of their Rotary friends who have encouraged, guided and supported their efforts to spread the Rotary Legacy message.
What we now know is that the Rotary Foundation started in 1917 when RI President Arch C Klumph proposed that an endowment fund be set up “for the purposes of doing good in the world”. It has a great mission statement which has two parts, “to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, good will and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education and the alleviation of poverty. If you like it’s aims and how it will achieve those things.
RI and the Foundation’s Board of trustees review Foundations goals each year – it is always ensuring it is getting the best results from the grants, etc. it makes. Russel likens foundation to an apple tree planted by our Rotary Forefathers, nourished by the donations of Rotarians and Clubs, nurtured, protected by the Board of Trustees, who distribute the fruit it bears annually to districts to use in projects managed by Rotarians that address health, education and poverty. It is a tree that will continue to grow and bear fruit. Fruit which nourishes, each apple full of seeds all capable of developing into another productive tree. How many seeds in each Foundation apple? Better yet, how many apples in each seed?
Russel briefly explained the history of PHF recognitions and structure of Foundation in our District and showed a number of overseas slides of District Rotarians at work on Polio Plus and several local and overseas projects which were funded by TRF Grants and managed by Rotarians. Russel gave an overview of the Centurion Program, EREY, Bequest Society, then spoke at length on the D9780 Paul Harris Society pointing out that if we count our blessings most of us have some capacity to contribute to Foundation/Polio Plus and asked members to consider making Foundation their Charity of Choice.
He said, whether we remember Foundation in our Wills, go without one cappuccino a week to become a Centurion or $20- per week to give $1,000 US PA to be a member of the Paul Harris Society, whatever fits our budget or situation, as every cent helps. He reminded us of PDG Ted’s recent letter regarding Centurion/EREY and he had application forms for Centurions, The Bequest Society, Foundation Donation Forms and D9780 Paul Harris Society available for anyone who wanted same. He pointed out that donations of $2- or more to the Australian Rotary Foundation Trust are tax deductable. So PDG Ted Gaffney needs to know the details of every donor.
Before taking questions Russel said "One thing we should never lose sight of is that a Paul Harris Fellow can be given by a Club or an individual in recognition (a Big Thank You) for extraordinary service, generous support etc. to Rotary or the Community, it is not an award and certainly should never be seen as such. In fact for the first 7 years after the Rotary Foundation started giving Paul Harris Fellow recognitions to individual donors of USD$1,000- or more, no one or Club could give the donation and nominate another as the recipient of the PHF."
"So when people say no one should be able to buy a Paul Harris Fellow, RI Foundation’s Board of Trustees would point out that from day one Foundation has needed financial support from Rotarians, so whenever any Rotarian’s personal donation dollar credits reach another USD $1,000 Foundation recognises their significant contribution by thanking them and giving them a PHF."
Foundation wants to formally recognise all contributions thus encouraging further giving. As well as ensure that tax deduction receipts are sent for all personal donations of $2- or more. Please don’t see it as an award but as it was meant “It is a big thank you”.
Questions were taken and Russel finished by offering to take calls from anyone who wanted further details or guidance on the D9780 Paul Harris Society, how to find Bequest and Permanent Fund Contribution Forms, etc. All other enquiries should be made to the relevant District Foundation Sub-committee chairperson.
Before sitting down Russel said, by supporting Foundation our drive for “Our world not as it is, but as what it could be..” will continue to be driven closer to that goal long after we are gone.
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