In his presentation informing and reminding us about the Rotary Foundation and its importance, JW challenged our club to do things: 1) get everyone on My Rotary, and 2) get to EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year) status. As you’ll read below, he even gave us a primer on the how-to of getting this simple online task performed. He also pointed out that the bar for each member to help achieve EREY is low: a minimum one-time contribution of $25 before 6/30/2023 puts a member into Foundation contributor status for this current Rotary year.
For many Rotarians, even some who are active in their clubs, the Foundation is not well known: how it works, why it’s essential, and how club donations come back to help clubs do their work. In a few words, funds from clubs are invested for three years and then allocated to either the world fund or district-designated funds (DDF). After three years, DDF dollars come back to the District (5960 in our case) and are returned to clubs based on the amount available vs. the projects seeking DDF funds.
Over our 20+ years, total club contributions are over $157,000. We have 2 Rotary Benefactors, 32 Paul Harris Fellows, and four non-member donors to the Rotary Foundation. The Rotary Foundation is over 100 years old, starting in 1917 with a donation of $26.50 by Rotarian Arch Klumph. Foundation funds are invested conservatively to grow the amount available to do good work. CLICK 'READ MORE FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND SOME 'FOUNDATION 101'!
The Rotary website covers many aspects of Rotary’s work through the Foundation. JW showed the screen where contributions can be directed to match Rotary’s six focus areas. He pointed out that 91% of dollars contributed go to the work of the Foundation, with only 9% to administration, which puts the Foundation in the top ranks of charities.
Foundation contributions fuel the work of clubs and districts. At $100 per year, members become sustaining members of the Foundation. Paul Harris Society members pledge $1000 per year.
JW then walked us through the steps necessary to get on My Rotary. He offered to work 1-on-1 with anyone who needed a little “navigational assistance.” Please get in touch with JW at mathesonjw@protonmail.com to set up an in-person or Zoom meeting to set up an account on My Rotary, see how you can get a report of your past donations, and gain a better understanding of how to be recognized as a supporter of the Rotary Foundation.