Making Dreams Real...

August 2008

Dear fellow Rotarians,

This year, we have set ourselves an ambitious goal: to Make Dreams Real for the world’s children by reducing child mortality. I believe we can achieve this goal, if we focus our efforts and work together. But I also know that at the end of this year, there will be a great deal left for us to do to bring health and hope to all of the world’s children.

If we are to reduce child mortality, in this Rotary year and for many years to come, we need to have Rotarians to do it. Every project we do in water, health and hunger, and literacy helps create a better world. Every project helps change the world, a little bit at a time.

And every project needs caring and capable Rotarians.

Each new Rotarian we bring into our clubs helps to Make Dreams Real . That is why, this year, I am asking Rotarians everywhere to meet bold membership goals: first, to increase membership by 10 percent and, second, to create two new clubs per district.

Like the goal of reducing child mortality, these are ambitious goals that we can achieve – if we set our minds to them. If we look for new Rotarians only among our friends and family, we may not be able to find enough qualified new members. But if we reach out to community leaders who are of a different profession, or a different generation, we will find many potential Rotarians.

It is natural to want to invite people into our clubs who are like ourselves, but that limits the diversity and talent of each club. We must welcome younger members to our clubs, or we will have not only lost an important source of energy and expertise but also failed in our duty to our organization to train the next generation of club presidents, district governors, and senior RI leaders.

Remember: Membership is the responsibility of each of us. Every one of us has an obligation to keep Rotary strong, active, and growing. If we hope to Make Dreams Real for the world’s children in a meaningful and lasting way, we must ensure a new generation of Rotarians to continue our work.

Dong Kurn (D.K.) Lee
President, Rotary International

TRF Chairman's August 2008 Message

Let's rally to meet Rotary's challenge

Dear family of Rotary,

No matter where we live, until polio is eradicated worldwide, the disease will remain only a plane ride away. That's why every community -- and every Rotary club -- has a stake in ending polio once and for all.

The number-one obstacle to reaching our goal is a shortfall in funding. Every club's support is vital to fulfilling Rotary's pledge to match the US$100 million challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

I encourage each club to raise at least $1,000 a year for the next three years and to be creative and think big while developing community fundraisers for polio eradication. Some U.S. clubs have held online and live auctions of items ranging from home repair work to radio advertising spots, works of art, and vacation cruises.
Several Canadian clubs are helping to sponsor a polio survivor's 4,474-mile bicycle trip across their country, with 75 percent of the proceeds going to PolioPlus. And I've just learned that Scottish Rotarians have aimed to break the world record for the most players to complete a round of golf on a single course in 24 hours. With luck, they now hold the new record -- and have scored big for polio eradication.

Look here for some fundraising ideas. Let's keep up the momentum to meet Rotary's challenge and ensure that we fulfill our promise to the children of the world.

Jonathan Majiyagbe
Foundation Trustee Chair

Highlights of actions taken by the RI Board of Directors

July 2008 Board Meeting Highlights

The Board welcomed the appointment of Monty J. Audenart as 2008-09 RI vice-president, Bernard L. Rosen as 2008-09 treasurer, and elected Paul A. Netzel as chair of its executive committee.

The Board formally ratified President Lee's appointment of Doh Bae, William B. Boyd, John F. Germ, and Samuel A. Okudzeto as Rotary Foundation trustees.

On recommendation of President Lee, the Board established the 2008-09 RI committees and resource groups, and approved their terms of reference.

The Board agreed that newly revised zones 4, 6, 10, 13, 17, 22, 26, 29, and 30 shall select committees in 2008-09 to nominate RI directors for election at the 2010 RI convention.

The Board confirmed the 2008-09 RI budget with revenues of US$86.4 million and expenses of US$86.2 million.

The Board approved The Rotary Foundation's 2008-09 budget of US$87.8 million for all Foundation programs, with expenditures coming from unrestricted Annual Programs Fund contributions.

Source: Rotary International

Share your ideas in approximately 100 words on the Aug. '08 Messages and earn a Make-up