More than half of Rotary districts apply for Future Vision pilot

By Antoinette Tuscano
Rotary International News -- 22 May 2009

Maternal and child health is one of six areas of focus for Rotary Foundation Global Grants. Rotary Images

Throughout the Rotary world, districts want to be part of The Rotary Foundation Future Vision Plan pilot.

By the 15 May deadline, 277 districts had filed an application, more than half the 529 districts that will exist as of 1 July 2010.

About 100 districts will be chosen to participate in the pilot.

The selected districts will help test a new Foundation grant structure. To streamline the grant-making process, the plan will offer only two grant types: Rotary Foundation District Grants and Rotary Foundation Global Grants. It also will promote strategic partnerships and refine the district Rotary Foundation committee structure.

The Future Vision pilot will begin on 1 July 2010 and run through 30 June 2013. The Foundation will use feedback from the pilot districts to refine the plan before it is implemented globally in 2013-14.

Pilot districts obtained the approval of at least two-thirds of their clubs to participate. The 2010-11 pilot district governors and Foundation committee chairs will complete mandatory training in 2009-10, which will help prepare the districts for their direct role in managing Foundation grant funds. All districts will receive training on the Future Vision Plan in 2012-13.

Look for Future Vision updates

Opportunities will exist for pilot and nonpilot districts to continue to partner on some Foundation programs and grants during the three-year pilot. Look for updates on the Future Vision pilot at www.rotary.org.

In July, the Foundation will offer a free Future Vision newsletter for anyone interested in learning more about the plan. Registration for the newsletter will be available online in the next few weeks.

10 Comments:

At 1:40PM on 8 September 2010, AC Peter wrote: The very philosophy of Rotary is manifested in Matching Grant systems and restructuing grant system with Vision Plan pilot will concentrate on Dist and not Club which is not desirable in long term.

At 1:17PM on 9 August 2010, Derek Lucas wrote: As a new president I am concerned that this so called pilot trial creates two classes of Rotarians and fails the four way test. Our District is non pilot, our club has an ongoing Eye care project in Honduras which we have had for two years and we secured a MG last year. This year we were told not to apply for a MG as the Honduras district was a pilot district and we could not get world fund money for this project. The advice was either give the project to another club in a pilot district and lose control, or start a new project with one of the 100 not pilot recipient districts, What happened to "Is it fair for all concerned"

At 12:57PM on 12 July 2010, Ronald Block wrote: The limitations which are being faced by the "other" Districts, those not selected, are quite frustrating. There are quite a few who have long term and ongoing relationships and projects with another District and who now have to go through more layers of effort to continue to accomplish their goals defeating the Rotarian spirit and placing unnecessary burdens instead of easing projects.

At 10:47AM on 16 June 2009, Neil Swensrude wrote: Oftentimes , in many areas of our lives, we hear the expression Bottum-up but seldom have the opportunity to actually participate in the concept until the final package is handed to us. The Future Visioning and the Pilot Program is the very best way for all of us to participate in influencing the future of our Rotary Foundation. Neil Swensrude DRFC District 5360

At 3:04PM on 29 May 2009, Greg Landry wrote: If you know a freight train is coming down the tracks toward you, and stopping the train is not an option, you'll fare better trying to steer the train, or adjust its speed from inside the cabin, than standing on the tracks waiting to have it hit you. If the change is inevitable, why not try to influence it so it is the best possible change for all concerned?

At 4:21PM on 28 May 2009, RtnL.M.Hegde wrote: I am happy to note rotary is moving by getting new visions .Let us explore some really need based area which will really useful.

At 4:02PM on 26 May 2009, Geoffrey Faul wrote: I also do not see agreeing to, "pilot a new approach", as "endorsement." This "partnering" scheme carries a number of very significant risks to Rotary. Some "pilots" have their fingers crossed...

At 9:29AM on 26 May 2009, Dr.P.Narayana, Past District Governor R.I.Dist 3180 wrote: It is exciting news. I am sure the pilot Districts will pave the way for better futuristic plans.

At 9:46AM on 26 May 2009, Chris Pretorius wrote: A most impressive result, but not surprising. A careful assessment of the proposed plan convinces one of the possibilities it can and possibly will create.

At 11:07AM on 26 May 2009, Fred Hahn wrote: I believe that the interpretation of the herd effect of responses from possible pilot districts, if there is going to be be change, is just that. Folks want to be in on the ground floor (in the "know") when change is promoted even while the grass roots Rotarians are jumping on "change' rather than supporting what is being proposed. I realize I may be entirely wrong but at the same timeI I am truly concerned about possible grave effects of the direction we are moving. I feel I have many reasonable justifications for my thoughts that are not welcome, which is fine, but I feel uncomfortable not registering my concerns! Fred hahn

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