Future Vision pilot districts announced
By Antoinette Tuscano
Rotary International News -- 11 June 2009
Students in Istanbul learn to read and write through a Rotary-sponsored program. Basic education and literacy is one of the six areas of focus for Rotary Foundation Global Grants.
Rotary Images/Monika Lozinska-Lee
Rotary International has officially announced the 100 districts selected for the Future Vision Plan pilot, which will test a new, streamlined Rotary Foundation grant structure. See the list of pilot districts .
District applications went through a careful and rigorous review process. Foundation Trustee Chair Jonathan Majiyagbe and General Secretary Ed Futa selected the pilot districts on behalf of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Participation in the pilot requires a firm, three-year commitment from the district. Once a district enters the pilot, it cannot withdraw.
Representative sampling key in pilot district selection
District selection was based on a number of factors, including:
- Geographic distribution
- Size, both in terms of number of clubs and number of Rotarians
- Participation in the current Foundation program structure
- Strength of district leadership and committee structure
- Potential for hosting humanitarian projects, scholars, and vocational training teams (based upon development needs and institutions for higher learning or vocational training)
- Tiers of Annual Programs Fund giving
- Handling of stewardship matters
- Number of low-income countries
Efforts were made to statistically mirror the larger Rotary world. For example, 31 percent of all Rotary districts are in the United States, compared to 28 percent of the pilot districts. Latin America has 15 percent of the districts worldwide and 18 percent of the pilot districts. Close percentage comparisons can be drawn in each of the other selection criteria as well. Such a representative sample will ensure that a diverse range of issues are addressed during the pilot and that the positive outcomes can be replicated when all districts are participating in the new model.
Next steps for pilot districts: Forming a leadership team
By 1 August, participating districts must appoint a district Rotary Foundation committee chair who will serve for the three years of the pilot (2010-13). District governors-elect and incoming district Foundation chairs will then begin the process of forming Foundation subcommittees. Read more about the district leadership structure .
In addition, pilot districts will undergo training in 2009-10 that will prepare them to work with the new grant structure and take on increased responsibility for managing Foundation funds.
Pilot and nonpilot districts partnerships
Pilot and nonpilot districts may continue to partner with one another on any existing Foundation project in 2009-10. For new projects during 2010-13, pilot districts must use district grants to partner with nonpilot districts. See examples of how pilot and nonpilot districts can work together (PDF).
Nonpilot districts
More than 170 districts that applied for the pilot were not selected. In many cases, difficult choices were made to strike a balance that accurately reflects the diversity of the Rotary world.
Nonpilot districts will continue to operate under the current program structure until the new grant model is implemented globally in 2013-14. These districts are encouraged to begin developing larger grant projects in the areas of focus to facilitate a seamless transition to the new grant-making model in July 2013.
All districts will be updated on the pilot’s progress. Nonpilot districts will receive training on the new grant-making model in 2012-13.
Questions?
E-mail The Rotary Foundation.