Highlights of Actions Taken by the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation
April 2013
April 2013, Trustee minutes
The Rotary Foundation Trustees met on 13–18 April 2013 in Evanston, IL, USA and reviewed six committee reports and recorded 55 decisions. The following are highlights of actions taken.
Fund Development and Recognition
The Trustees established a new fundraising goal of $125 million by 30 June 2015 to more fully cover Rotary Peace Centers program costs.
The Trustees agreed to eliminate the spendable earnings threshold for all endowed global grants, effective 1 July 2013, to allow districts more flexibility when using spendable earnings from endowed funds.
The Trustees agreed to provide certificates of appreciation to districts that annually give 20 percent or more of their available DDF to PolioPlus, beginning in 2012–13 and further agreed that these districts that annually give 20 percent or more of their DDF from 2013–14 until polio eradication is certified will be recognized on a plaque hung in a prominent location at RI World Headquarters.
Programs
The Trustees made several program changes including:
- allowing the purchase of school desks (when accompanied by a detailed and verifiable plan to improve basic education and literacy) as within the scope of the basic education and literacy area of focus;
- changing residency requirements for Rotary scholars to allow for residency outside the host district;
- expanding and extending the strategic partnership with Aga Khan University while allowing the relationship with Oikocredit to expire;
- raising the number of scholarships with UNESCO-IHE from eight to 16 for the 2013–14 academic year;
- amending policy for Rotary Foundation Global Grants for humanitarian projects and District Grants to prohibit the construction of additions on to existing schools or hospitals.
Stewardship
The Trustees suspended three clubs and one district from participation in TRF programs for reporting violations and stewardship concerns. They also approved a stewardship plan for 2013–14.
Finance
The Trustees approved a contributions budget for 2013–14 totaling US$239,740,000 and a total program awards expenditures budget in 2013–14 of $241,144,000.
Foundation Facts (as of 24 April 2013)
Paul Harris Fellows: 1,380,043
Foundation Benefactors: 89,591
Major Donors: 17,804
Arch C. Klumph Society Members: 426
January 2013
January 2013, Trustee minutes
The Rotary Foundation Trustees met from 12–13 January 2013 in San Diego, CA, USA. The Trustees reviewed five committee reports and recorded 35 decisions. The following are highlights of actions taken.
Administration
The Trustees elected Trustee Michael K. McGovern to serve as their vice-chairman in 2013–14.
Fund Development and Recognition
The Trustees selected forty-three Rotarians to receive The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award, the Foundation’s highest service recognition. The Trustees also selected the winner of The Rotary Foundation Global Alumni Service to Humanity Award to be presented at the 2013 RI (Lisbon) Convention, and also selected a winner of The Rotary Foundation Alumni Association of the Year Award, to be presented at the 2013 Rotary Alumni Celebration in Lisbon.
The Trustees changed some terminology used for the funds of the Foundation as follows: The Annual Programs Fund is now the Annual Fund; and the Rotary Foundation Permanent Fund is now the Endowment Fund.
Programs
The Trustees:
- agreed to recognize districts giving 20 percent or more of their available District Designated Funds to PolioPlus as a way of securing financial support until polio is eradicated, and requested the general secretary and International PolioPlus Committee chairman to develop the recognition plan;
- approved 10 Rotarians to receive the International Service Award for a Polio-Free World;
- approved PolioPlus grants to Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Horn of Africa, India, and Pakistan;
- expressed their condolences to the families impacted by the recent killings of health care workers during polio immunization campaigns in Pakistan and approved a grant of up to US$18,360 to the Pakistan National PolioPlus Committee to compensate the families;
- Agreed to provide blanket travel insurance coverage for individuals traveling on Rotary Foundation grants and Rotary peace fellowships, beginning 1 July 2013.
Foundation Facts (as of 31 December 2012)
Paul Harris Fellows: 1,369,091
Foundation Benefactors: 88,958
Major Donors: 17,417
Arch C. Klumph Society Members: 413
October 2012
October 2012, Trustee minutes
The Trustees of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International met from 22-26 October 2012 in Evanston, Illinois, USA. The Trustees reviewed seven committee reports and recorded 52 decisions. The following are highlights of actions taken.
Administration
The Trustees elected Trustee John Kenny to serve as their chairman-elect during 2013-14. They deferred the election of a 2013-14 vice-chairman to their January 2013 meeting.
A restated Rotary Foundation Code of Policies was adopted for grant activity under the Future Vision Plan. It will be effective for all pre-award grant activity for grants to be awarded after 30 June 2013, while the current Foundation Code will be effective only through 30 June 2013 (and thereafter, to be effective solely for grants awarded pursuant to programs discontinued on or before 30 June 2013).
Fund Development
The Trustees noted that a total of US$228,698,000 was received from districts, clubs, alumni, Rotaractors, Interactors, Rotary Fellowships, and individual Rotarians to End Polio Now, and thanked Past Trustee John Germ for his outstanding leadership in surpassing the goal of Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge.
The Trustees acknowledged and deeply appreciate the generosity of donors who have provided approximately US$73.4 million for the Rotary Peace Centers Major Gifts Initiative as of 30 June 2012.
The Paul Harris Society was approved as an official donor recognition program effective 1 July 2013. The Society recognizes those who personally contribute US$1,000 or more each year to the annual fund, polio, or an approved Rotary Foundation grant.
The Trustees approved several changes to the fund development volunteer structure as follows:
- 41 major gifts advisors will be appointed by 1 June 2013 for a three-year pilot period;
- A network of Rotarian “allied professionals” will be established to enhance planned giving efforts;
- Regional Permanent Fund committees will be discontinued effective 1 July 2013;
- The Foundation’s Fund Development Committee will be increased from four to nine members, with six non-trustee Rotarians appointed for multi-year terms.
Programs
The Trustees approved PolioPlus grants for Afghanistan, Chad, DR Congo, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Southeast Asia region, Southern Sudan, Sudan, West and Central Africa, and WHO/UNICEF for research activities.
All individuals receiving direct funding from district grants, global grants and packaged grants, including participants in scholarships, vocational trainings and travelers for humanitarian projects, will now be recognized as Rotary Foundation alumni. Districts are requested to share the names and contact information of district grant alumni with the general secretary in order to facilitate ongoing communication and involvement with RI.
Stewardship
One-day training and recruitment seminars for The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers are scheduled to take place before the 2013 (Lisbon) and 2014 (Sydney) conventions.
Finance
The Trustees accepted the 2011-12 audited financial statements and report on The Rotary Foundation. Results will be published in the Foundation’s annual report.
Foundation Facts (as of 15 November 2012)
Paul Harris Fellows: 1,366,162
Foundation Benefactors: 88,421
Major Donors: 17,069
Arch C. Klumph Society Members: 399
June 2012
The Trustees of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International met from 19-21 June 2012 in Evanston, Illinois, USA. The following are highlights of actions taken.
Fund Development
The Trustees were advised that as of 19 June 2012, Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge had received US$221,394,000 toward the target of US$200 million, which included 472 major gifts totaling US$29,123,854.87. The US$3.5 million gift from Google was not included in the major gift total.
The Trustees endorsed a worldwide Annual Programs Fund goal of US$120 million for 2012-13.
Programs
The Trustees:
- Agreed to provide funding for the PolioPlus Partners program through 30 June 2013 to continue support for social mobilization and surveillance activities of National PolioPlus Committees in polio-endemic, high-risk, and importation countries.
- Approved PolioPlus grants for Chad, DR Congo, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, and the Polio Research Committee.
- Approved a World Fund match for cash contributions made by non-Rotarians and non-Rotary entities, where the contributions form a part of the financing of projects initiated by Rotary clubs and districts.
With regard to the Future Vision pilot, the Trustees:
- Modified vocational training team and humanitarian project travel requirements, which will offer more flexibility to sponsors of global grants when the Future Vision Plan launches in July 2013.
- Modified the maternal and child health area of focus policy statements to allow lifesaving surgeries that lack capacity building.
The Trustees agreed that disaster relief is not a Rotary Foundation role, but will continues to encourage Rotarians to support disaster recovery efforts through the new Future Vision grants structure. The Rotary Foundation will no longer establish special accounts for receipt of disaster relief and recovery funds. Local committees may continue to establish such accounts, as the need arises.
Finance
The Trustees approved the 2012-13 budget for revenues and operating expenses, the Permanent Fund spending rates, spendable earnings and the allocations to program awards, program operations, fund development and general administration. In addition, they approved a change in the methodology for calculating the spendable earnings.
Noting that temporarily restricted cash contributions received for global grants and term gifts are not part of the Annual Permanent Fund three-year investment cycle, the Trustees agreed to utilize 5 percent of these funds to support TRF operations effective 1 July 2013.
Foundation Facts (as of 30 June 2012)
Paul Harris Fellows: 1,351,589
Foundation Benefactors: 87,428
Major Donors: 16,787
Arch C. Klumph Society Members: 391
March 2012
March 2012, Trustee minutes
The Trustees of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International met from 19-21 March 2012 in Evanston, Illinois, USA. The following are highlights of actions taken.
Programs
The Trustees
- Reaffirmed that global polio eradication is the urgent priority of The Rotary Foundation and that continued support is essential.
- Adopted changes to the Guidelines for Construction of Low Cost Shelters for Matching Grants.
With regard to the Future Vision pilot, the Trustees
- Reaffirmed the minimum US$15,000 award amount for global grants, and that at least 30 percent of contributions to fund global grants exclusively for humanitarian projects must come from outside the project country.
- Agreed that packaged global grants shall be named “packaged grants” and club and district developed global grants shall be named “global grants” effective 1 July 2013. “District grants” nomenclature remains unchanged.
- Approved in principle “area of focus” policy statements that will define funding parameters for global grants.
- Approved a project enhancement process within the water and sanitation area of focus, and agreed that up to then Future Vision pilot districts shall test the concept during 2012-13.
Stewardship
The Trustees agreed that Foundation-approved global grant scholarships shall be exempt from payment and processing restrictions that are a result of suspensions from participation in Foundation programs.
The Trustees suspended three clubs and one district from participation in Foundation programs, all for noncompliance with Foundation reporting requirements or misuse or mismanagement of grant funds.
Finance
The Trustees approved a budget for total program award expenditures of US$146,087,000 in 2012-13, US$80,572,000 of which will come from the unrestricted annual programs fund. Consideration of the 2012-13 budget for revenues and operating expenses was deferred to the Trustees’ June 2012 meeting.
The Trustees also agreed to the continuation of the match currently provided to PolioPlus contributions, which is US$0.50 from the World Fund for every US$1.00 of District Designated Funds (DDF). This is an incentive for districts to contribute DDF until the certification of the eradication of polio. This match will be applied on a first come/first served basis and capped at US$3.5 million annually for the next five fiscal years.
Foundation Facts (as of 31 March 2012)
Paul Harris Fellows: 1,329,827
Foundation Benefactors: 86,714
Major Donor: not available
Arch C. Klumph Society Members: not available
January 2012
January 2012, Trustee minutes
The Trustees of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International met on 14-15 January 2012 in San Diego, California, USA. The following are highlights of actions taken.
Administration
The Trustees rescinded an earlier decision that created a separate travel policy for The Rotary Foundation Trustees.
Fund Development and Recognition
As of 17 January 2012, Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge had been met. US$24.9 million of this was in major gifts. However, the challenge will continue through to 30 June 2012 as originally planned.
Forty-five Rotarians were selected to receive the Distinguished Service Award in 2011-12 for their outstanding service to The Rotary Foundation. The Trustees also chose a winner of The Rotary Foundation Global Alumni Service to Humanity Award to be presented at the 2012 International Convention, and a winner of The Rotary Foundation Alumni Association of the Year Award, to be presented at the 2012 Rotary Alumni Celebration, both in Bangkok.
Programs
The Trustees:
- Acknowledged the supplementary grant of US$50 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, noting this is not a matching grant
- Approved funds to support production costs for a film on the achievement of one year without any polio cases in India
- Approved ten nominations for the 2011-12 International Service Award for a Polio-Free World
- Approved PolioPlus Grants for Afghanistan, Chad, DR Congo, Horn of Africa, India, Nigeria, and Southern Sudan
- Suspended a previous decision to select a new Rotary Peace Center and appointed a subcommittee to consider a full range of options for future development of the Rotary Peace Centers program
Foundation Facts (at 31 December 2011)
Paul Harris Fellows: 1,315,836
Foundation Benefactors: 85,936
Major Donor: not available
Arch C. Klumph Society Members: not available
September 2011
September 2011, Trustee minutes
The Trustees of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International met from 19-23 September 2011 in Evanston, Illinois, USA. The following are highlights of actions taken.
Administration
The Trustees elected Trustee Dong Kurn Lee to serve as chairman-elect and Trustee Stephen R. Brown as vice-chairman during 2012-13.
Fund Development
The Trustees agreed to offer donors the ability to designate Annual Programs Fund contributions to any of the six areas of focus, effective October 2011. Such contributions will qualify for the same donor recognition as gifts such as Every Rotarian, Every Year; Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member; Paul Harris Fellow; Major Donor and Arch C. Klumph Society, and will be included in club and district goal and per capita calculations.
Programs
The Trustees:
- Recognizing that Rotarians wish to immediately come to the aid of communities impacted by disasters, agreed to accept restricted contributions and District Designated Fund donations for special accounts that will be forwarded to a committee of Rotarians to carry out disaster recovery and relief projects identified locally. Donors will have the ability to make online contributions for more than one disaster fund at any given time.
- Approved a strategic partnership with UNESCO-IHE and agreed that Future Vision pilot clubs may use packaged global grants with UNESCO-IHE beginning 1 July 2012.
- Approved PolioPlus Grants for Afghanistan, Angola, Chad, DR Congo, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Uganda, West Africa, and WHO/CORE.
- Increased the 2011-12 PolioPlus Program Awards budget from US$63,510,625 to US$95,440,625.
- Looked with favor on the tentative draft program for the 2012 and 2013 Rotary alumni events in Bangkok, Thailand and Lisbon, Portugal.
- Agreed to discontinue sending any new Rotary Peace Fellows to the Rotary Peace Centers program at Universidad del Salvador in Buenos Aires, Argentina, effective immediately. A search for a new Rotary Peace Center university is underway.
- Agreed to allow Rotary clubs and districts not participating in the Future Vision pilot to utilize Matching Grants to fund low cost shelter projects, and to pilot this initiative throughout 2011-12 and 2012-13.
- Concurred with the RI Board on a new partnership model and guidelines for working with other organizations.
Stewardship
Noting a decrease in world reporting for humanitarian and Future Vision grants in the July 2011 analysis, the Trustees encouraged districts to improve their reporting percentages for future analyses.
Regional training seminars for The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers will held at the 2012 (Bangkok) International Convention and before the 2013 (Lisbon) Convention.
The Trustees authorized approval of grants where Rotaplast International serves as a cooperating organization, based on the agreement that grant funds are used in a manner that is consistent with The Rotary Foundation Code of Policies and the terms and conditions of TRF grants.
Finance
The Trustees received the 2010-11 audited financial statements and report on The Rotary Foundation. The results will be published in the Foundation’s annual report.
Foundation Facts (tentative, as at 30 September 2011)
Paul Harris Fellows: 1,324,823
Foundation Benefactors: 86,930
Major Donors: 14,982
Arch C. Klumph Society Members: 339