Rotary
International John Kenny's May 2010 Message
May 2010
My fellow Rotarians,
Shortly after the earthquake
hit Haiti in January, Rotarians began making phone calls and sending
e-mails to discuss how they could help. When Rotary International
posted its first story on Rotary's immediate relief efforts, Rotarians
took this discussion online. The very first comment about the story
expressed what so many Rotarians were thinking: "If they begin
sending Rotarians over to help in any way, please let me know if
I can help."
This plea was multiplied
over the following days on Rotary's website and our social media
pages. Rotarians also reported what they were doing: collecting
thousands of dollars to fund ShelterBoxes and Aquaboxes, contributing
to Rotary's Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, and organizing ways to
transport food, supplies, and medical personnel to the devastated
country.
On the ground in and
around Haiti, Rotarians were also busy. Local Rotarians helped distribute
the ShelterBoxes to some of those left homeless. Rotarian Claude
Surena, a physician, took 100 injured earthquake victims into his
home, which he managed to turn into a makeshift hospital despite
the damage it had sustained. District 7020 established a relief
fund, flew in planes loaded with medical supplies, and strategized
to provide assistance in the weeks following the disaster.
And it is in those weeks
– and months and even years – that Rotary can make its
greatest contribution. Rotary is not a disaster relief agency, but
we are very good at long-term recovery. After all the media attention
dies down, Rotary will still be there on the ground – in Haiti's
case, with 17 local clubs and thousands of willing partner clubs.
If Rotary's recovery efforts in Bangladesh, Honduras, Indonesia,
and countless other countries are any indication, Rotarians will
be in Haiti long after public interest has faded and the media have
moved on.
In this month's Global
Outlook, you can learn more about Rotary's success in helping communities
and countries rebuild after a disaster – not only replacing
what was lost but making it better as well. The Rotarian passion
for helping those in need, combined with our perseverance and grassroots
presence, will continue to bring hope to those whose lives have
been torn apart by disaster.
Our response to the
tragedy in Haiti manifests Rotary's concern and desire to help those
less fortunate and offers evidence of what Rotary does best: give
service. Thank you all for what you are doing.
The Future of Rotary
Is in Your Hands.
John Kenny
President, Rotary International
TRF Chairman's
May 2010 Message
Why Rotarians
support our Foundation
Over
the past months, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing a number
of Rotarians and their spouses inducted into the Arch C. Klumph
Society. I’m always interested in hearing why these Rotarians
give so generously to our Rotary Foundation. Their reasons vary.
Bob Selinger, who experienced the practical assistance of his fellow
club members during a health crisis, says that “you couldn’t
ask for a more giving or loving organization.” Bill and Jean
Wilson believe that by giving to the Foundation, they are “saying
yes to a better world.” Peggy Bloomfield was inspired to give
by her son, Bill, also an Arch C. Klumph Society member. His reason
for giving: “It’s our responsibility to leave the sandbox
better than we found it.”
Of course, you don’t
have to give US$250,000 to have a good reason for supporting The
Rotary Foundation. Most Rotarians have humanitarian goals they want
to achieve. And like recent Arch C. Klumph Society inductees Jack
and Vivian Harig, they know that “giving to the Foundation
allows Rotarians to do extraordinary things worldwide that they
normally couldn’t do themselves.” Those extraordinary
things are what make our Rotary Foundation so critical in today’s
troubled world, and your support is what makes it possible to continue
this vital work.
Glenn E. Estess Sr.
Foundation Trustee Chair
Source: Rotary International
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