Rotary Foundation Update by Chair Giay

The Rotary Foundation has surpassed its 2006-07 goals, garnering recognition for its credibility and reliability, said Trustee Chair Luis Vicente Giay yesterday at the 2007 International Assembly in San Diego. "There's no question about this — our Foundation is enjoying the greatest moment in its history," said Giay.

More than 200,000 foundations operate in the United States, and The Rotary Foundation now ranks among the top institutions. This year, foundation evaluator Charity Navigator put The Rotary Foundation on its list of 50 best organizations with a maximum rating of four stars.

The reasons for the accolades include the Foundation's efficient administration, sound investments, and excellent control over its programs, said Giay. "Today, one word clearly defines our Foundation and that word is credibility." More important than attention, the organization's credibility has attracted new donors, raising the bar on fundraising initiatives. In fact, in 2006-07 the Annual Programs Fund set its most ambitious goal to date — US$120 million.

Giay stressed that these fundraising initiatives give the Foundation the ability to push priorities such as the organization's peace programs — the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution and Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies."We're working to end war, because we believe peace is possible," said Giay.

Giay listed the Foundation's recent successes:

* The contributions and revenue from investments in 2005-06 totalled $162.1 million.
The Permanent Fund quickly surpassed the $500 million mark and should reach its goal of $1 billion sooner than predicted.
* Excluding investments in PolioPlus, 2,640 Humanitarian Programs grants totaling more than $30 million were approved, a record amount.
* The number of Matching Grants approved that were sustained by the World Fund increased 19 percent, the average amount of each Matching Grant increased 28 percent, and the use of the District Designated Funds grew by 24 percent.
* Since the creation of Matching Grants, more than 25,000 projects have received financing from the Foundation.
* Group Study Exchanges participants surpassed 515 this year, the most in the program's history.
* In addition, the Foundation counted more than 1 million Paul Harris Fellows. "Soon our Paul Harris Fellows will outnumber our Rotarians," joked Giay.

To stay relevant in Rotary's second century of service, The Rotary Foundation must prepare for whatever changes the future holds, said Trustee Chair Luis Vicente Giay at the 2007 International Assembly in San Diego. "It is everyone's responsibility to prepare our Foundation for the future," said Giay. "We want The Rotary Foundation to be the best in the world." According to Giay, preparing for the future means ensuring the Foundation both quickly and simply serves Rotarians. At the same time, the Foundation must remain flexible enough to provide aid whenever it is needed.
Giay chairs the Future Vision Committee of The Rotary Foundation, which advocates proactive problem-solving, increased Rotarian involvement in district-level project administration, and planning for growth.

"Over the next 25 years," said Giay, "some US$300 trillion will change hands and pass from one generation to the next. A large portion of these resources will be transferred to foundations, charitable works, churches, and not-for-profit organizations. Our Foundation must have a well-defined and aggressive policy in place for receiving additional contributions."

Giay emphasized that the Foundation must not miss the opportunity to use these funds effectively. "We live in an age of unprecedented need and unprecedented promise," said Giay. "Everything to change the world is within [Rotary's] grasp."
The Future Vision Committee created its objectives by consulting experts and surveying more than 20,000 Rotarians. The findings from this research formed the future vision plan, which includes short-, medium-, and long-term strategies.
The committee began its work in 2005 and will submit its plan at the Council on Legislation in April. The committee must conclude its work by 2009.

Get Ready to Change the World

Incoming trustee chair shares vision for Foundation's future

The Rotary Foundation's incoming trustee chair shared his dream for what Rotary can accomplish with the support of all Rotarians during a speech to district governors-elect at the 2007 International Assembly in San Diego.

Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair-elect Bhichai Rattakul, who served as RI president in 2002-03, said his goal for the upcoming Rotary year is to contribute to the bigger Foundation dream of making the world better through humanitarian and educational programs. Referring to the Foundation's founder, Rattakul said, "Arch Klumph had a dream for doing good in the world, and we are indeed fortunate to be a part of his dream."

Rattakul outlined a four-point action plan for all Rotarians: Conquer polio, support The Rotary Foundation's programs through the Annual Program Fund's Every Year, Every Rotarian initiative, ask Foundation alumni to join Rotary clubs, and redouble efforts to bring peace and goodwill to the world.

Eradicate polio
Although incidents of polio have been reduced from 350,000 cases a year to 2,000 since 1988, the promise of eradicating polio has not yet been fulfilled. "The battle is still on," said Rattakul. "There are still children who need those drops of vaccine."
Polio can be eradicated, but Rotarians must continue supporting the effort through their time, energy, and financial contributions. "We must pledge to march ahead with even stronger determination until the work is done," said Rattakul.

Support the Foundation through EREY
"I dream that every Rotarian will experience firsthand the joy of service by actively participating in our Foundation programs next year and every year thereafter," said Rattakul. The success of Foundation's programs depends on the contributions of individual Rotarians. "It is through these individual efforts that we have the combined strength to change lives," he emphasized.

Encourage alumni to join Rotary
Rotary Foundation alumni have the same mindset about service as Rotarians do, and, when asked, they are likely to join a Rotary club, said Rattakul. "Let us reach out to them. Let us continue to invest in our Foundation alumni by giving them the opportunity to serve others through Rotary," he said. Foundation alumni include Ambassadorial Scholars, Rotary World Peace Fellows, and Group Study Exchange teams.

Foster peace and goodwill
"It was our founder, Paul Harris, who said that 'the way to war is a well-paved highway, and the way to peace is still a wilderness.' Today, I think many of us feel lost in that wilderness," said Rattakul.

While all of the Foundation's programs contribute to peace and understanding in some way, two deal with it directly: Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution and the Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies program.
"Financial support for these programs is crucial. The Trustees have set the target to raise US$95 million by 2015, which is necessary to fully support Rotary's dream of peace in our world and make it a reality," said Rattakul.

Each year at the assembly, the incoming trustee chair announces goals for the coming Rotary year. Governors-elect will take these messages back to clubs in their districts as they begin planning for the year ahead. "Through you, I want to share these dreams with the Rotarians in your district and take action," Rattakul said. "Remember, when Rotary Shares, our dreams will come true."