In a few days, Rotarians across the planet will focus
attention on The Rotary Foundation. This week's Rotarian magazine
focuses on the Foundation with a nuts and bolts section about this important
aspect of Rotary. I encourage each of you to take a few minutes this
week to read this section. You will come away with the much better appreciation
of this important facet of our organization.
Locally, our Area Foundation Dinner next week will
highlight the support members of our five clubs have given in the past
twelve months to the Foundation. Nineteen of our own members will receive
Paul Harris Recognition at the dinner. I am proud of each of you. Newer
members Bob Buhlis and Ron Knaus deserve
special note for completing their first Paul Harris in record time.
The head of our "Club 85" members, Jim Young,
will be singled out for special recognition as he receives his 10th
Paul Harris and becomes a Major Donor to the Foundation.
I want to give special thanks to Shirl Mendonca
for her work each year in keeping our foundation donations straight
and getting all the paperwork to Rotary International. This is a big
job and Shirl handles it each year for our members.
Mostly, my gratitude goes to each of you who contributed
this year to our club's total. When the year ends, we will have contributed
over $400 per member to the Foundation. I expect that this will be the
highest average of any club in our district, if not the State.
Take a good look at this month's Rotarian.
Pages 36 and 37 highlight many of the programs supported by your donations.
Of course, many of us had the opportunity to take part in "On to
Uganda", one of the many matching grants approved last year by
the Foundation.
As Past District Governor Dave Denny said at the recent
Zone Institute in Sacramento, "Once a Rotarian participates in
an international Rotary project, they will support The Rotary Foundation
for the rest of their life."
