Dean started off in a bit of a stressful “flurry” as her electricians had tripped all the electricity in the house just 15 minutes prior to joining us. She was as cool as a cucumber recognizing the tremendous work of President Marlene Doherty and our club. She brought greetings from John Germ, Chairman of the Rotary Foundation and all the Trustees.
November is Foundation month so why donate? For Dean, it allows ordinary people like us to do extraordinary things in all the seven Areas of Focus. For example, to fight Covid, to bring fresh drinking water to a village, to build schools for girls, the list of opportunities is endless. Dean sees challenges as opportunities to help others. Our fight against Polio gives us the skills to fight Covid and Rotary has taken on a multitude of projects to do just that all made possible by our contributions to the Rotary Foundation. Those donated dollars are invested and multiply. Even the Taliban in Afghanistan are allowing Polio vaccinations to continue and even be administered by women. This is not just providing the vaccines but also ensure there is medical support with a supply of much need PPE for fighting Covid. Paramount is keeping the health workers safe. To date $46M USD has been used in the fight against Covid.
There must be an equitable distribution of vaccines to the poorer countries. Rotary International has signed an agreement with COVAX to provide those vaccines. Canada just recently announced it will start with a donation of 10M doses. Rotary International is working on a policy statement and it will be controversial for some. Responding to both Polio and Covid-19 are dual priorities. This year’s goal is $50M USD – that goal was barely reached last year. Rotary Canada donated $1M USD to the campaign.
Rotary recognises that to continue this journey they need to adjust to provide a safe, accessible, diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for our members, our employees, and our partners. As of June 30, 2021 $5.5B USD has been given to projects in communities around the world. What a tremendous milestone. Other areas of note include the Peace Fellowship programs which have grown 150% since 2015. The first yearly Program of Scale grant gave $2M USD to a malaria eradication program in Zambia. Funds also came from UNICEF for $2M and the Bill and Linda Gates Foundation for $2M. These large-scale grants are focused on helping even more people.
The challenge for all of us is to increase contributions to the Annual Fund and Polio Plus while equally increasing donations to the Endowment Fund. The goal is to reach $2,025M USD by the year 2025. Why? So, Rotary has a sustainable World Fund and cuts to grant funding will no longer be necessary. So, what is the future? Rotary is the crucible for grass roots change. Just one idea can change the world. The circumstance of our birth should not determine our future. Every individual should be entitled to equal opportunities. We must overcome challenges and injustice. Dean ends her talk with her mantra:
“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”
― Nelson Mandela
Rotary has a long walk ahead to bring about freedom and equality. First ask yourself what does it mean to me to give to the Rotary Foundation then give whatever you can.
Joe Klassen thanked Dean for her very inspiring presentation today. The task has been hard but possible with perseverance from leaders like Dean. It is exciting to hear that in three years time Polio will be eradicated. The Club will make a honorarium donation to ShelterBox in Dean’s name as a thank you.
Dean was called to next present the awards to Narmin and Sa’adat Keshavjee as Major Donors to the Rotary Foundation. It takes incredibly generous people to be major donors. It is money, yes, Dean used the “money” word that allows the wheels of motion for Rotary to continue to do what we do. So, thank you for your generosity on behalf of all recipients from the programs and projects that your funding will generate and from the Rotary Foundation. Marlene presented Narmin with her Major Donor Level 1 charm and Sa’adat with his Major Donor lapel pin and to both a crystal from the Foundation. Congratulations were given via a standing ovation!!! |
Marlene thanked Team 3 participants for todays meeting. Sadly, David Williams has received a colon cancer diagnosis and will be stepping back from his weekly duties at the Club. We will hold David in our thoughts, our hearts and in our prayers. The Move for Polio Campaign has ended. Thanks to our Club Champion, Don Edie, all the participants and all the donors. Stay tuned for the final results on December 16. The Building Community Pin goes to Malcolm Harrison for his work in organizing golf, Team 1 Captain, and his work in organizing volunteers for the Food Bank once again. At the All President’s Meeting Marlene announced that Calgary West is launching two fundraisers, has given out a Paul Harris Citizenship Award, has given an award to a new Major Donor, has inducted a new member, Mona Wasfy, Bill Quinney has numerous volunteer opportunities underway and is kicking off Foundation Month with Dean Rohrs. A lot to be proud of fellow Rotarians!
What a “magical” meeting and everything was juggled to have the meeting end with the 4 Way Test jingle and new karaoke tune. No meeting next Monday, November 8 but please register for Rotary Remembers on November 11. The November 15 meeting will be a hybrid meeting and if attending at the Grey Eagle you will be required to present your QR code as proof of vaccination. Meeting adjourned at 12:56 pm.
.png)
