Rotary Foundation

June 8, 2008       Leave a Comment
By: Stephen Kent

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Last Weeks program - June 3, 2008 - Rotary Foundation
A recurring theme of the Rotary year is the appeal to members to support the Rotary Foundation and its many good works. Of all the programs, Polio Plus Update is perhaps the most significant and best known. Once a world wide scourge, polio is no found in only three countries.

Deb Lutz reminded the club of the Polio Plus challenge to raise another $100 million over the next three years. Combined with a matching grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the resulting $200 million may well fund the final blow against this devastating disease.

At the district level, our club is challenged to raise $12,000 over the next three years. Each of our members has been asked to donate $33 per year for three years, over and above his or her normal foundation giving. Tracy and Andreas Teich have extended the challenge by offering to match up to $3,000 over that period. The latest tally shows we are well on the way to meeting the goal.

Dr. Harry Farris talked about the history of Polio Plus and the Paul Harris Fellowship award given to members who contribute $1,000. At the club's 50th anniversary long time member and secretary Art Milster was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship by the club in recognition of his years of service.

Until 1995 the only way to receive a PH Fellowship was to have it presented by others. That changed in 1995 with the effort to raise $50,000. Members were now given the opportunity to receive a Paul Harris on their own in recognition of their $1,000 gift to the foundation.

Jerome Yantz talked about the other work of the Rotary Foundation. He reminded the club of the many scholarship programs the foundation supports including Group Study Exchange, High school exchange students, Ambassadorial Scholars, Peace Scholars. He also noted that a percent of local contributions return to the district where they are given out as matching grants and district simplified grants.

The Bay City Club is well known for its generous giving. Our members generally meet the annual goals and contribute $15,000 to $17,000 each year. This year's average member contribution is a few dollars behind previous years but Yantz is confident the difference will be made up before the club year ends this month.

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Best wishes to Rotary Exchange Student Mariagna Zimbron as she heads home.

Welcome visiting past president (1981-82) Kyle Haselden, now living in Bellingham, Washington.

President Rob Clark stands amid some of the hundreds of Love Bags collected by the Rotary Club and the Lions Club and distributed to foster children who often have nothing to carry their belongings in as they move into a new home setting.

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CLUB NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS

Reminder that DUES INVOICES have been mailed for the six month period of July through December 2008.

Thanks to Brian Kay for all his work pulling off another great golf outing. This is the club's second largest fund raiser for the year so it's important. If you went to the golf outting and want a make-up, be sure to report it to the club secretary Steve Kent.

The International Night committee will be previewing some of the exciting auction items between now and the event on October 16. Today they showed an example of a pencil portrait by Chris LaPorte. You will be able to bid to have a portrait of your choice made by Chris.

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Upcoming Programs

(See the official schedule at RotaryBayCity.org )

June 10 Rotary Banner restoration project update.

June 17 Family of Rotary recognition. Bring your spouses, kids and other family members.

July 01 Passing of the gavel ceremony. Outgoing President Rob Clark passes leadership of the club to incoming President Deb Lutz.

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Visit RotaryBayCity.org

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Stephen Kent
Steve Kent and his family have lived in Bay City for 40 years. He is VP of Technical Services at MMCC which produces MyBayCity.Com. Kent is active in many Bay City civic organizations. More from Stephen Kent

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