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 Trustees lower recognition point transfer minimum

By Donna Polydoros 
Rotary International News -- 5 May 2009 
 
 
 

The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees voted to establish a 100-point minimum for the transfer of Foundation recognition points, effective 1 July

In April, The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees voted to establish a 100-point minimum for the transfer of Foundation recognition points, effective 1 July.

"The Trustees had consideration for all Rotarians globally who have and use recognition points," says Louis Piconi, vice chairman of the Trustees Fund Development Committee. "We are hopeful that the new 100-point minimum will encourage Rotarians to use their points to foster new contributions and further support club and district leaders in achieving fund development goals."

Recognition points are credits that donors receive for contributions to the Foundation that can be transferred among Rotary accounts. Individuals, clubs, and districts can transfer as many points as they have to other individual accounts to increase others' donor recognition amounts, or level of donor recognition.

As of 1 July, points may only be transferred in transactions of 100 points or more, and individual donors will be the only ones authorized to transfer points from their individual accounts. Club presidents and district governors may no longer authorize point transfers for other individuals, but they may continue to authorize transfers from their club or district accounts.

Also, as of 1 July, individual points will expire upon the death of the donor, or the death of the surviving spouse of a Major Donor. (Major Donors have contributed US$10,000 or more to the Foundation.)

Donors begin to earn points after they qualify for Paul Harris Fellow Recognition . They accrue one recognition point for each U.S. dollar contributed to the Foundation's Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus, or approved Matching Grant. Donors receive Paul Harris Fellow Recognition once they have contributed $1,000 or have 1,000 points transferred to them, or once the sum of their cash contributions and points equals 1,000. 

Donors may use their points to help a family member, friend, or other Rotarian achieve Paul Harris Fellow Recognition. Points cannot be transferred to a club or district. Gifts made to the Permanent Fund or Rotary International programs are not eligible for recognition points.

To transfer points, fill out the Recognition Transfer Request Form. The form will be updated on 1 July to reflect the changes to the Foundation recognition points policy.
42 Comments:
At 1:10PM on 14 October 2009, Terry Brown wrote: I am a new Foundation Chair for our Club and the whole points program can be confusing. A good reference is http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/foundation_recognition_points_fact_sheet_en.pdf
At 1:45PM on 6 July 2009, Chris wrote: I would just like to respond to D'Anne Granquist's comment about the clubs paying. Raising funds is quite hard and time-consuming in small countries with very small private sectors. One of our biggest problems is raising money for the administration of the club as donors are reluctant to give for that type of expense. The rise in admin costs, particularly in attending district conference for the mandatory attendees financed by the club, which for us usually involves international travel, is getting a litle rich in terms of our annual fees and subscriptions. So paring expenses not increasing them is conducive to not scaring away potential new members and maximising giving to RF!
At 3:20PM on 1 July 2009, Chris wrote: Generally the one hundred dollar level is better to spread involvement and competition to achieve in the clubs. Am I right in assuming that all points transferred must be matched in cash by the recipient? If not we will just be making PHF's out of points which doesn't make much sense. I also agree strongly that making members pay for their award is really tacky and unRotarian! It would be better to set the PHF level at US $1,015 and not charge because it is the recognition of achieving that is important. You know bought honorary degrees are a dime a dozen - let's not go down that track!
At 3:21PM on 1 July 2009, D'Anne Granquist wrote: Reading through all of the above comments, I see that there is some confusion in regard to what Foundation Chairs can and cannot access via Rotary.org As of this year, Foundation Chairs WILL have access to the reports and summaries previously only available to the Club President and Secretary (the only issue is having one of those individuals insert your name on the Foundation Director line at the website, under club leadership.) As to the changes that were "almost" instituted (i.e. the 500 point minimum, etc) These were communicated to the individual clubs, via their respective incoming President at the PETS (President Elect Training Seminar) in the spring. I am assuming most other Rotary districts have a similar program for their incoming leadership? Ours is district 6250...and PETS is one of the best programs we have to prepare our Presidents for their Rotary year. Finally, I hope not to offend anyone here, but I understand the need to reduce costs associated with Paul Harris awards at Rotary International...yes it seems that the message is being given from RI that the contribution of $1000 is not worthy of a medallion, but in my opinion, if these medallions are desired...why not have the club pick up the expense? After all, the club benefits directly from these donations through matching grants that are available to each individual district based on the giving from previous years. In my opinion, this should not be an "option" for the donor to buy part of their recognition...the club should just pay the expense
At 12:11PM on 29 June 2009, DC Stone wrote: Poor decision. Due to the change, we are already seeing a decrease in contributions from new members due to the loss of a $50 match.
At 9:58AM on 25 June 2009, William Parker wrote: I was dismayed to learn at a Zone Foundation Seminar that The Rotary Foundation (TRF) trustees have elected to charge Rotarians $15 to purchase the Paul Harris Medallion that honors them for donating $1,000 to the Foundation. It is said that "it is not the journey of a thousand miles that is discouraging but it is the rock in one's shoe". I cannot believe that TRF trustees are so short-sighted that they fail to see this new rule that goes into effect on the first of July 2009 is a significant disincentive! They, in essence, are telling the Rotarians who have made the financial sacrifice to donate $1,000 of their hard-earned money that they are now required to pay for their own recognition of this sacrifice! In these times of economic turmoil, it is hard enough for the Club Leadership to encourage giving without this "slap in the face" by the TRF trustees! Please reconsider this decision before it negatively affects TRF giving from around the world!
At 10:32AM on 21 June 2009, Suryanarayan C R , D3201, India wrote: Transfer of TRF points and nameing other person a PHF will increase contribution. But the Club summary should also reflect both the individuals personal contribution and the transfer points the received or transfered. Now we are unable to know if the amount reflected against an individuals name is their own contribution or transfered contribution. I am the club Foundation chair. It is not practical to request the President or the secretary to get the Club summary. TRF Chair should be able to asses the summary.
At 2:48PM on 28 May 2009, Brenda J Farrell wrote: Thank you, thank you, thank you. The $500 minimum was going to make things very difficult for our club to deal with. Also, I agree with Jeanne Christofersson..PLEASE allow Club Foundation Chairs to access the Club Recognition Summary. I'm expected to keep on top of this without the tools to do it. It is very hard when you have to rely on someone else to get the information for you. And since this is constantly being changed, you are bothering others who work for a living to get the CRS for you all the time. I also agree we need to reinstate the medal. Thanks.
At 9:14AM on 20 May 2009, Matt Hufnagel wrote: Great decision to adopt 100 point minimum transfer rather than 500 points. I also believe reinstating the PH Medallion (at no cost) should be done. I presume the decision to kill this tradition is due to the cost. I assume the combined cost of certificate, pin, medallion and shipping could be $20-$30 tops. That's 2%-3% of the value of the $1,000 gift. That is well within norms for the cost of donor recognition that is done in a classy way to inspire lifelong giving. Maybe consensus could be built around giving the recipient the option to decline the medallion, if he or she feels it is an unnecessary expense. As the recipient of the gift, the organziation should be generous - not stingy - in its recognition.
At 10:35AM on 15 May 2009, Rtn Rajendra Yerlnoorkar wrote: This is a nice decision to encourage the donations through rank and file of members.As also it boost the efforts of Club and District leadres to encourage the Rotarians to donate and Clubs to make 100% PHF or Major Contributing Clubs
At 7:45AM on 14 May 2009, Bala wrote: I welcome the suggestion
At 9:21AM on 12 May 2009, Arvind Kanaujia wrote: I think itis a very good decision and will bring in more donations to TRF.
At 9:22AM on 12 May 2009, Prasad Punnoose, 3201-57099-2048405.AG-2009-10) wrote: I join thousands of my fellow Roarians in applauding the Trustees for their bold and sensitive step in reducing the point level to 100. The general feeling had been that TRF had no appreciation for the sacrifice involved in contributing 50,000 of our hard earned income (yes, that's what we have to come up with in our currencies to equal $1000; after all, we don't earn dollars in India!). I totally agree with PDG Bill Harnaagel about the negative message in having to purchase the medallion when some one becomes a PHF. Speaking of PHF/MPHF, I am wondering if it is possible to have another more desirable name, instead of "Major Donor", for those who contribute $10,000 or more to TRF!
At 10:37AM on 11 May 2009, PDG Vishwas Sahasrabhojanee wrote: Thank you hon'ble trustees of The Rotary Foundation for reductionin transfer points limit. This will help enhance the contributions. However, I suggest that the decision be made effective from 1st June 09 rather than 1st July. In my District 3030and overall in India,the real push to the collections is achieved in May-June every year, and the suggested change could result in better results immediately for RY 08-09. Pl consider.
At 10:38AM on 11 May 2009, Rtn.Atul Agrawal RID:3110 wrote: Thanx to the trustees for making a very timely action to make The Dreams Real, since this will help to bring more and more donors to the TRF.
At 10:40AM on 11 May 2009, Jim Hunt wrote: What was the reason for the change to 500 points minimun transfer? I never heard a reason. The change to 100 points is better but why is number needed. The way it was worked well for our club. We matched $50.00 with 50 pts. This worked with EREY program. We have nearly 100% participation of non PHF member. This will change even with 100 pts minium. Our donations will be down. I don't see the problem in first place because it's only keying in whatever the number is.
At 10:41AM on 11 May 2009, S.Balachandran wrote: Very Good,Thanks.
At 10:41AM on 11 May 2009, Floyd Turnbull wrote: Setting the threshold at 100 will indeed encourage new matching donations. Was any consideration made of being able to bulk transfer credits to the Club's account so they could later be authorized and transfered by the President? Would only require one signature for release of funds with a past members "exit interview."
At 10:42AM on 11 May 2009, JIM COLE - DGE - D-5730 wrote: A great move by the Trustees. We need posititive action for our Foundation during the economy downturn. This move will result in continued support of the foundation.
At 10:42AM on 11 May 2009, PDG Al Chesser, DRFCC wrote: I am thrilled to see that the commentary here is mostly positive, but may I add another twist? I was actually in favor of the 500 point rule, but my chief concern is for the limited Foundation Staff that must process transactions ... whatever size they are and whether or not they accompany new cash donations. I hope this change will lighten the huge burden the last several months have brought. Additionally, the process of informing districts about changes like this is laborious and time consuming. Whatever the rules are going to be, I do hope they remain unchanged for awhile. Having said that, I know these decisions are not easy to make and I thank the Trustees for the work they do on our behalf.
At 10:38AM on 11 May 2009, Pete Van Hee wrote: Good move! Now lets reinstate the medal. It seems pennywise and pound foolish after a person has donated $1000 to make them pay an additional fee for the medal..
At 10:38AM on 11 May 2009, Subhash Saraf wrote: It is heartening that ultimately the wisdom of Trustees and the Board of RI prevailed seeing the overall interest running the TRF professionally. Minimum of US$ 100 extends much greater involvement of Rotarian contribution than that would have been with the earlier (wrong) decision of US$ 500, which would have killed the tempo of contributions through transfers and matchings as well as the wonderful theme of EREY of US$ 100 which will now well sustain itself rather boost up.
At 9:02AM on 11 May 2009, Ken Roberts wrote: At the last two International Conferences I voiced grave concern about increaseing the minimum of transfer points. Glad to know that Trustees "woke up" and realized more can be gained at the 100 point level than the previous 500 point level. Thanks for making this decision prior to July 1st. Many Clubs were scrambling to transfer all recognition points under 500 before the end of June. The new policy makes the EREY program much easier promote. Club Foundation Chair
At 9:01AM on 11 May 2009, Jeanne Christofferson wrote: Please keep the Paul Harris award as it has always been, with the recipient receiving a pin and a medallion. Traditions are important and many of the recipients frame the set for their offices which is good PR for Rotary. AND... PLEASE allow the Foundation rep. for each Club access to the Club Recognition Summary! When I am working on Club business it may be at night or on weekends, and not having personal access to current CRS records is a problem. What is the problem with that? Now I have to email R.I. and wait for a person there to forward the current CRS records. Please don't make the job any more difficult than it can already be.
At 4:13PM on 8 May 2009, Roy Kaple, PDG wrote: Please create a Paul Harris recognition pin that will reflect achieved by points so those who have contributed money will still be displaying the standard for which it was intended. "IS IT FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED ? " Or, just wait until $1,000.00 has actually been donated before giving Paul Harris recognition to the combo donors.
At 12:42PM on 8 May 2009, Mark B. Louis wrote: Thank you for rethinking the 100 point versus 500 point minimum. I'm in hope, as others have asked, that the Trustees will also reinstate the awarding of a Medallion when one becomes a PHF. It seems a shame to give up tradition when the dollars saved aren't that substantial in the long run.
At 10:56AM on 8 May 2009, PDG Bill Harnaagel wrote: Good decision. I want to echo the previous comment about reinstating the PHF medallion to present along with the PHF pin. We really send the wrong message if we tell our members when you become a PHF we will give you a pin but you have to purchase the medallion.
At 9:02AM on 8 May 2009, George Wood, DRFC wrote: GREAT NEWS!! This is a very positive decision and will give us the leverage we need to increase giving. Thank you!
At 9:02AM on 8 May 2009, Anette Carling Lowert wrote: Also from Denmark I will like to commendt on the new decision. Danish members at general are not that good in donations, but I think that a minimum at 100 will make it easier to convince some to join - so thank you very much
At 9:02AM on 8 May 2009, Denis Hyland wrote: This is good news. Now lets have the initial Paul Harris Medallion reinstated so that it remains a part of the recognition. A small price to absorb for the potential future benefit.
At 9:03AM on 8 May 2009, S J Wachter wrote: The 500 points would kill the EREY program to encourage new members to contribute and the Club or member to match his $100 donation. Thanks Trustees for keeping the program alive with 100 recognition points.
At 9:03AM on 8 May 2009, PDG. Harold Reece wrote: Special Thank You to the Trustees for changing the minmum transfer of points to 100. This will be a tremendous help in the field in encouraging Rotarians and friends to give and match points. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
At 9:04AM on 8 May 2009, Donald S. Ward wrote: Things made easier...This is truly Rotary in the 21st century. Now if only we can find a way to get the club leadership to share this information.
At 9:04AM on 8 May 2009, Al Garrecht wrote: Great strides have been made with the paperless route. I trust this will soon include the ability for appropriate Club executives to transfer club recognition points. Completing multiple donor forms using the on-line pro-forma is excellent. An improvement would be the ability to fill in the amount and an auto calculator to complete the total. Tks for listening.
At 10:52AM on 7 May 2009, Frank C Murray wrote: This is definitely the right direction to go in order to keep the donations flowing. You must have kept this a secret from the District Governors and The Foundation Chairs as they did not know this was happening. Out here in Ohio we call that blind siding someone (or a Boneheaded Move) but in Evanston (Home of Illinois Politics) that must be the way to conduct business Huh?.
At 4:31PM on 6 May 2009, Paul Diggs wrote: Excellent decision. Thanks to the Trustees for their wisdom. This will certainly result in many more opportunities for matching contributions.
At 4:31PM on 6 May 2009, Arnold King wrote: Thank you. Limiting transfers to a minimum of 500 points would have resulted in reduced contributions to TRF. Thank you for reconsidering this important issue.
At 11:36AM on 6 May 2009, W. (Bill) Robson wrote: I totally agree with the previous comments and applaud the Trustees for their foresight. Well done all, including those Rotarians who let the Trustees know that all was not well with the 500 point level. TRF will be better off for this decision.
At 10:04AM on 6 May 2009, Maricel Santiago Galura wrote: We say "Thank You" to the Board of Trustees for considering the 100 transfer points rather than that of the 500. I am sure that this will encourage Rotarians to help co-Rotarians in their campaign for new contributions.
At 10:02AM on 6 May 2009, Shirley Buttenhoff wrote: Thank you!! for the past 4 years our club has offered to match donations of $100-$250 made between July 1 and Dec. 31 - and have been able to exceed our President's goal, and usually the DG's giving goal half way through the Rotary year. We would not have been able to do that had the transfer remained at the previously announced 500.
At 10:01AM on 6 May 2009, jAMES a. sPENCER wrote: Thanks to the Trustees. The ability to transfer points at the 100 level allows us to use an important tool to encourage, especially newcomers, to participate. A good decision by the Trustees.
At 10:52AM on 1 May 2009, Eugene Beil wrote: I applaud the Trustees for their heeding the pleadings of many throughout the world in setting the minimum at 100 rather than 500. At the 100 level, the system of matching points to encourage new donations to The Rotary Foundation is still very much alive.

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