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A historic day for Rotary

26 November 2007 
 
 
 
 

Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, Rotary International, President 2007-08

Robert S. Scott, The Rotary Foundation, Trustee Chair 2007-08

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

This is a historic day for Rotary. It is our great pleasure to inform you of a new partnership between Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that will provide a much needed US$200 million in support of our top goal of a polio-free world.

The Gates Foundation has awarded The Rotary Foundation a challenge grant of $100 million, which Rotary will match, dollar for dollar, over three years. This is the largest single grant ever given to a volunteer service organization and represents a tremendous validation of the approach and success of our PolioPlus program.

This partnership comes at a critical juncture for the polio eradication initiative, which needs an infusion of funds to reach the eradication goal. For this reason, the initial $100 million will be distributed by The Rotary Foundation through grants to the World Health Organization and UNICEF in direct support of polio immunization activities in 2008.

Your participation in this effort is crucial to making it a success. The Rotary International Board of Directors and the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation have unanimously agreed to accept this challenge grant to ensure the success of the PolioPlus program. We feel confident that this extraordinary commitment from the Gates Foundation and Rotary will serve as a catalyst for further donations from others to help us realize the dream of a polio-free world.

In 1985, we promised every child a world free from the threat of polio, and we are almost there. This funding agreement between Rotary and the Gates Foundation is a huge step forward, bringing us even closer to our goal. Success is our only option.

Wilfrid J. Wilkinson                                   Robert S. Scott

Rotary International, President 2007-08    The Rotary Foundation, Trustee Chair 2007-08

Read the official press release

Read more in RI News

Make a contribution to eradicate polio

30 Comments:
At 11:53AM on 30 June 2008, issadeen rilwan wrote: thanks for your services and the world need more helps from you
At 9:01AM on 10 March 2008, Rtn.Sebastian wrote: This is a great step and a great relisation which the Rotary Foundation and the Gates Foundation have come forward with for an even Greater Global Cause!CONGRATULATIONS!!! AND May THIS SPRIT OF ROTARY IN SERVICE SPREAD ON!!
At 3:07PM on 11 December 2007, Elegbeleye Samuel (president Abule Egba RC Club) wrote: This is great
At 9:52AM on 21 December 2007, John Enright wrote: This is an exciting event that can give Rotary International the final push it needs to help eradicate polio world-wide, once and for all. Lets Go Rotary!
At 10:50AM on 7 December 2007, A P RAMARAJ wrote: The great sevice should come to an end for brighter World with all the coorporation between us
At 10:50AM on 7 December 2007, Rtn.ABHIJIT ASHTEKAR wrote: rotary in,polio out !!!
At 10:17AM on 6 December 2007, laide johnson Rotary club Falomo District 9110 wrote: Thank you Bill Gates.It is a challenge to all earth dwellers to make the world a better place by sharing generously.
At 3:58PM on 3 December 2007, Varghese Thomas wrote: Bravo, Thankyou Bill Gates,This is a proud moment for all rotarians, I am the secretary of Rotary Club Tiruvalla Dist 3210 Thakyou
At 9:25AM on 3 December 2007, Brian Russell wrote: It's a terrific gift that indeed validates Rotary's approach to eradicating polio from the planet. Speaking as a the son of a Microbiologist, this is one virus the world can do without. Thank you Bill and Melinda Gates. Your trust will be honored in the work of Rotary.
At 9:27AM on 3 December 2007, Ayoub Mahmoud Ayoub wrote: Cheers. Now we can step forward in the so many filed waiting our pioneering role in community servcie and interenational cooperation and understanding. Ayoub Mah. Ayoub PP RC Heliopolis-Egypt
At 9:28AM on 3 December 2007, ASISH BASU wrote: THANKS TO BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION FOR THIS HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP. WE MUST TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ERADICATE POLIO FROM THIS PLANET.
At 11:24AM on 3 December 2007, Bala wrote: Dear Rotarians its now our turn to go out full fledged to over come this evil virus. there are hearts to support with funds .
At 3:13PM on 30 November 2007, sukhminder singh wrote: Rotary is doing right way to eradicate polio & thats why Bill gates have extend his hands for a noble work. Now its our all rotarians duty to give our all effort to eradicate polio & make polio free world
At 9:40AM on 30 November 2007, Glenn A. Bautista wrote: If this globe is likened to our physical body, Rotarians are like the enzymes in our system that will not allow any form of decay, imbalance and disharmony caused by their evil counterparts. Bold Rotarians all over the world are the guardians of health, environment, order and peace through Rotary's commitment to its varied community plans, projects and activities, much more for the less fortunate ones. Rotary truly shares. Chair. "Glenn" / International Service Group / Rotary Club of Paranaque -Sucat, Philippines / http://rotarycparsucat.multiply.com/
At 10:08AM on 28 November 2007, Buc Beattie wrote: Great news! Thank you Bill & Melinda Gates. Warren Buffet, come on down! Now let's get that 1% of remaining Polio sufferers off the board and get on to attacking the worldwide water issue and Rotary World Peace through the Humanitarian Grants program.
At 10:06AM on 28 November 2007, Jide Soyemi wrote: This year is ending with one of the greatest good news. Thanks to Rotary and Gates Foundations. At last we can kick-out Polio from the future. All Rotarians worldwide should brace up to the Challenge of dollar to dollar. We can.
At 10:04AM on 28 November 2007, Rtn Salina J Pathan on behalf of Rotary club of VapiRiverside. wrote: Thanks to Bill and Milinda Gates Foundation. Your contribution will be remembered today and forever for a very noble task and we are sure THE WORLD WILL BE POLIO FREE.Rotarians keep up the work.
At 10:01AM on 28 November 2007, Tom Guno wrote: We from RC Ayala Heights D3780 salute this wonderful couple for their selfless dedication to humanity. It is now on us Rotarians to prove that they have made the right decision. Mabuhay.
At 10:01AM on 28 November 2007, farhadtavatli wrote: Hello everybody. I believe for two resones rotary is the best. 1- mature and hard worker crew. 2- best president Mr.Wilkinson (Bruce :) ) god blase you Mr.Wilkkinson.
At 10:00AM on 28 November 2007, RUSS DAGGETT wrote: Bless the Foundation and the fight. Polio will be licked
At 9:55AM on 28 November 2007, Peter Stam wrote: Let us all get behind this challenge and each give $100.00 to Polio Plus to raise the needed funds.
At 11:07AM on 27 November 2007, M Khairul Alam wrote: Its most exciting news for every Rotarian of the world
At 11:07AM on 27 November 2007, Rotr. Aborisade ola wrote: This is a life time opportunity and which I believe Rotary will judiciously used.At last! Our tommorrow will pray for us. SUGGESTION; I think it will be IDEAL if ROTARACTORS are fully involved in the fight because we have the skills,Energy and Dedicated to this course than Our fathers.Give all the DRR's the MUST to do responsibilities of going to the un emerging remote area where most us of neglected and where this dreaded this springs from if the city had been takenn care off,to educate and immunized the people. All needs to do is to make this RESOURSES available we are ready to fight the course. AM PROUD TO BE AMEMBER OF THE FAMILY.
At 11:06AM on 27 November 2007, V.Sharples wrote: With Bill Gates teaming up with Rotary to eradicate polio, the sum is greater than the parts. Bravo!
At 11:05AM on 27 November 2007, Jamie Pole wrote: Great move...Let's welcome a polio free world !!
At 11:05AM on 27 November 2007, J.W.(Bill) Lindsay wrote: Cheers for Rotary and the Gates Foundation from the newest club in Virginia -The Rotary Club of The Historic Triangle in Williamsburg. We are proud to be Rotarians and we support PolioPlus!! Charter date: July4,2007.
At 11:04AM on 27 November 2007, tpn tabimina wrote: thank you so much bill & melinda gates foundation for your undying support to the needy especially for the polio eradication. Thanks also to Rotary International!
At 11:04AM on 27 November 2007, George R.Pichet wrote: Good News for PolioPlus Partners and all participants. The final goodbye to Polio. Thanks to Bill Gates and Rotary Foundations.
At 11:02AM on 27 November 2007, D.H. Norfleet wrote: Technology at work worldwide!
At 3:17PM on 26 November 2007, Y.S.PRAKASH wrote: GOODBYE TO POLIO, THANKS TO ROTARY

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