The next “Inside Scoop” will be held on July 30th at the Wingate by Wyndam at 7:30 am. These meetings, which are an easy makeup if you need one, are more informal and offer those attending the opportunity to more easily interact about mutual interests and the relationships of Rotary. Please contact David Runk with any questions. His email address is david@csspub.com and his cell phone number is (419) 235-9873.
District 6600 Rotarians,
Once a year, District 6600 offers a special opportunity to hear from Rotary International directly, strengthen your club, and a chance to collaborate on local and international projects. Just as important, we also give you time to connect with fellow club members, build connections with other Rotarians in the area and introduce your family to Rotary. This once a year experience is our District Conference and you are invited!
Today we kick off registration for this year's District Conference, The Safari Adventure, and we're headed to the first class Kalahari Conference Center in Sandusky, Ohio from April 17th-19th, 2015. Kalahari is famous for their indoor waterpark, but they also boast an incredible conference facility, unique lodging options and great food. The facility is going to be the perfect backdrop for the amazing speakers, sessions and entertainment that will all be part of the weekend. There are full conference packages, kids' conference prices and even options to join for a portion of the weekend.
Rotarians from around Northwest Ohio are back from a trip to Honduras.
Our friend Gina Reuter told me a few weeks ago that she was going to be taking a humanitarian trip to Honduras.
I asked her if she would take a few pictures, and share her story with us, when she got back.
Here is Gina's report in her own words.
I recently traveled to San Pedro Sula, Honduras on a seven day international mission trip as part of a team of 11 Rotarians who represented the Tiffin, Bryan, Swanton, Bellevue and Elyria Sunrise Rotary Clubs. Keith Hodkinson from the Tiffin Club also made the trip.
After the initial shock of being immersed in the city with the highest per capita murder rate in the world wore off, and getting used to seeing the heavily armed guards everywhere, it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life.
We spent the week at La Casa de la Nina, a girls’ orphanage in the city. They called it an “orphanage”, but it was more of a home for girls whose parents had either abandoned them or were otherwise unable to care for them.
During our stay we made building repairs, painted, and did lots (and lots!) of clean-up work at the facility. In addition, we were able to provide each of the 14 girls with new shoes, new school uniforms and undergarments, and replenished the pantry with basic food staples. We were also able to provide them with three new computers. I think the best part though, was the interaction we were able to have with these girls throughout the week. They wanted to help us with every task and soaked up every bit of our attention. In a short time we accomplished so much, and formed a bond with them that I know none of us will ever forget. Leaving them was an emotional time for all of us.
It truly was an amazing experience and I learned that, even though our lives here are so different, it’s still the same in so many ways. We’re all human, you know? We laugh at the same things and cry about the same things, in any language. I hope to be able to look at life from another perspective from now on, with a sense of simplicity and gratitude. I encourage anyone who has a similar opportunity to take it – you won’t be sorry!
To ensure our Foundation has sufficient and reliable resources in the future, the Trustees have approved a funding model, effective 1 July. The changes are small but will have a big impact on our ability to support large-scale, sustainable projects for years to come. Watch a video about the funding model.
On 2 December Rotary participated in #GivingTuesday, a global movement dedicated to giving and celebrating generosity. Rotary used this opportunity to promote online giving to the Foundation and to thank our donors who make our life-changing grants possible.
During the #GivingTuesday event, Rotary sent 600 handwritten thank-you cards to donors and volunteers. And the Rotary community came together to make online gifts totaling over $100,000 that will support community-driven projects around the world. Thank you to everyone who participated — you’ve set a high standard for #GivingTuesday in 2015!
Celebrate Rotary’s birthday
How will you be celebrating Rotary’s birthday this month? Visit our new Give the Gift page to see how your donation to Rotary, no matter the size, helps create positive, lasting change.
Support your favorite area of focus through a named fund
Is there a specific area of focus that’s close to your heart? A major gift of $100,000 or more allows you to set up a named area of focus endowed fund, which provides general support to global grants in the area of your choice. If you’d like to learn more, email us at majorgifts@rotary.org to connect with a Major Gifts officer or a member of Rotary’s Fund Development staff.
Grants Updates
Grant model successes
Grant sponsors have been invited to complete a short survey included with the online application tool for district and global grants. Their responses indicate that the grants and the application tool are working well. Most survey respondents rate district and global grants as good or excellent. And grant activity increased after The Rotary Foundation rolled out its new grant model in July 2013.
As of 20 November, the Foundation approved:
298 district grants totaling $17.9 million, compared with 288 grants during the same period in 2013
386 global grants totaling $23.7 million ($9.9 million of that from the World Fund), compared with 209 grants during the same period in 2013 — an 85 percent increase!
Recent Trustee decisions
At their October meeting, the Trustees made several decisions related to grants:
The current agreement with UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education to provide water and sanitation scholarships is extended for one year, pending agreement from UNESCO-IHE.
Clubs and districts may now carry out global grants in non-Rotary countries where the Rotary International Board is actively trying to establish Rotary clubs. Vietnam is currently the only country in this category.
Up to 10 percent of a global grant budget may be used for project-specific overhead and administrative costs of cooperating organizations.
Lineal descendants of honorary Rotarians are now eligible for Foundation awards.
Giving & Grants is a quarterly publication that offers information to help you support Rotary's work through your contributions and grant-funded activities. Formerly Rotary Grants and Every Rotarian, Every Year.
