Foundation looks to the future with new goals

By Ryan Hyland
Rotary International News - 16 January 2008
Monika Lozinska-Lee/Rotary Images

At the International Assembly, Foundation Trustee Chair-elect Jonathan Majiyagbe outlines the Foundation's 2008-09 goals.

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Enhancing Rotary’s public image and asking clubs and districts to partner more with The Rotary Foundation are just two of the new 2008-09 Foundation goals.

Foundation Trustee Chair-elect Jonathan Majiyagbe asked the more than 530 district governors-elect attending the International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, to accept the duty of achieving the goals and to Make Dreams Real .

The 2008-09 Foundation goals are:

1. Keep our promise to eradicate polio .

2. Embrace the two pillars of support for The Rotary Foundation: the Annual Programs Fund through Every Rotarian, Every Year and the Permanent Fund .

3. Participate in Your Foundation/Our Foundation, a "lend a hand" program for sharing funds from club and district foundations to permanently establish the Rotary World Peace Fellows program and support global polio eradication.

4. Enhance Rotary's public image .

5. Support the Future Vision Plan of The Rotary Foundation.

The first two items are similar to the 2007-08 goals of eradicating polio and ensuring contributions to the Foundation. The last three, however, are new.

If Rotarians work together toward the third goal of supporting Your Foundation/Our Foundation, Majiyagbe believes the Foundation can both permanently endow the Rotary World Peace Fellowships program and help eradicate polio.

"Many Rotary clubs and districts have their own endowment funds or foundations, some of which have greater funds than our Rotary Foundation," he said. "In the past, The Rotary Foundation has sometimes viewed these entities as competitors for Rotarian contributions, but I would like to change that perspective. I would like to see our relationship move from that of competitors to partners."

The Foundation can accomplish much more if club and district foundations contribute at least 10 percent of their funds to the polio eradication effort and the peace fellowships program, said Majiyagbe. He also urged Rotarians to use their affinity credit cards , which have raised US$5.5 million for the Foundation since the program’s inception in 2000.

With so much to accomplish, now is the ideal time to work on the fourth goal of enhancing Rotary's public image, a task that must be carried out at the grassroots level. "Better public acknowledgement will help us attract new members to our Rotary clubs, and it will help us attract new donors to our Foundation," he said.

The last goal of supporting the Future Vision Plan will help keep the Foundation viable, make it more efficient, and "meet the needs of the ages," said Majiyagbe.

Rotary Foundation Goals Brochure 2008-09

6 Comments:

At 11:20AM on 12 April 2010, Ashim Ghosh wrote: I like to be a Rotarian and like to contribute some donations online basis against a membership . I like to make myself available for the eradications of extreme poverty in India . Also like to be a global viewer of Rotary Programmes.

At 10:24AM on 13 June 2008, Jeff Welch wrote: Majiyagbe's comment "Many Rotary clubs and districts have their own endowment funds or foundations, some of which have greater funds than our Rotary Foundation," he said. "In the past, The Rotary Foundation has sometimes viewed these entities as competitors for Rotarian contributions, but I would like to change that perspective. I would like to see our relationship move from that of competitors to partners." should be taken to heart. Giving to a district or club foundation should NOT come at the expense of the Rotary Foundation. The work of the Rotary Foundation unites us as Rotarians around the world.

At 8:16AM on 20 May 2008, Dr.(Mrs.)SUHAS P NAMBIAR wrote: All the five recommendations are highly relevant. But one thing should be noted - the third recommendation is very significant. It is definitely true that the rotary alumni ( mainly ambassadorial scholars and peace scholars) can be the best ambassadors of rotary to bring peace to the world. Through them the public image of rotary can be enhanced by linking all scholars under one umbrella and make them understand their responsibility to work for the humanity as they enjoyed the benefit of rotary. Then it is their moral responsibility to contribute for the growth of rotary. But RI should see how many are victimised through this program once they are back in their homeland and how can they be saved by lending a hand. Then I assure the future vision of rotary will be shown by these souls who suffered for a cause to save rotary image. Therefore it is a must to understand the honest and righteous alumni souls and give them help in whatever form need. Then only the network will have a strong base and would earn the trust of the alumni who feel secure in this world. Just like a shepherd who search for the lost sheep till it is restored.

At 10:42AM on 11 February 2008, Ahmed Saada, D-2450 Alumni Subcommittee Chair wrote: I need to stress the importance of reconnecting with TRF alumni. They are the fruitful outcome of a successful investment. Not only that they form an excellent pool for recruiting new members, but they can also provide financial support to the foundation. More efforts are still needed to integrate alumni into the family of Rotary. I believe that they ought to be considered as partners in service, until they become active Rotarians. We should maintain contact with all alumni and continue to use their talents and expertise.

At 9:56AM on 18 January 2008, Karen Babin, Zone 31 RFAC wrote: I applaud the 5 emphases noted, but I hope that the strong effort to reconnect Foundation Alumni with the Family of Rotary will continue to receive the attention that it deserves. Our former Rotary Foundation scholarship and grant recipients are an important asset for membership growth and financial support.

At 8:47AM on 17 January 2008, Kishabhau Godbole wrote: Clubs and Districts will help TRF by contributing for World Peace Programme.TRF may consider recognizing even contributing Rotarians , along with clubs and districts for achieving targets. Programme should be in place to take Care of APF & PF contributions are not affected in doing so.

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