Page 4 - Rotary 3201 GML July 2022 Edition

Rotary

International

Trustee’s

Message

RI Trustee
2022-2023

As an accountant, I look at the world through the lens one part of the Foundation’s efforts.
of inputs and outputs. We can plan with precision Today, the Foundation has grown into a multimillion-
today for success tomorrow. My profession also dollar charity. Our robust funding model allows
taught me that numbers — those inputs and outputs districts the flexibility to choose which Rotary aspects
— can sometimes tell great stories. they would like to support — polio eradication,
One of those stories is The Rotary Foundation: What scholarships, district grants, global grants, and
it has given the world, starting from a modest input of more. Today’s Foundation impacts the world through
$26.50, is nothing short of remarkable. disaster relief, disease prevention, peace education,
In 1918, that amount — the surplus from that year’s and other areas.
Rotary Convention in Kansas City, Missouri — Everyone in Rotary is part of this great legacy; it is our
was applied, at the suggestion of 1916-17 Rotary responsibility to keep it going. This year, the trustees
President Arch Klumph, to a fund with the purpose have set the goal of raising $430 million. I know the
of doing good in the world. The fund grew modestly expectations are high. But I also know just how much
until 1947, when Rotary founder Paul Harris died and our members can achieve.
donations poured in as a tribute to him. That year, the To get there, we will work together as we always do,
Foundation supported scholarships for 18 students with each club and individual giving what they can. In
— the first indication of the greatness to come. this way, we will ensure that we meet our ambitious
Later the Foundation expanded, providing programs, but achievable goal and move our Foundation
like Group Study Exchange, and humanitarian grants, forward.
which impacted the lives of members and communities So, what are your stories and who can help tell them?
around the world. In 1979, a major grant helped I hope you might consider your own Imagine Impact
immunize 6.3 million children in the Philippines efforts — your story might be something you can
against polio, which led to the establishment of promote just as easily on social media or during a
PolioPlus in 1985. Zoom call. Think about ways to showcase notable
Rotary’s work with polio eradication — helping projects in your clubs and districts.
reduce wild polio from an estimated 1,000 cases daily We all feel the impact that Rotary service and values
in 1988 to just six total cases in 2021 — has been have on us. Now it’s our opportunity to share that
one of the most ambitious humanitarian projects ever feeling with others.
undertaken by a nongovernmental body. That success
story alone shows the significance and widespread Rtn. Ian H.S. Riseley
impact of Rotary and its Foundation. Perhaps what is Trustee Chair 2022-23
even more remarkable is that polio eradication is but Rotary International

4 OUR LOVELY PLANET JULY 2022