By David Gore

"A Paul Harris Fellow is the recognition applied to the contribution of $1,000 or more by, or on behalf of, any person to The Rotary Foundation ("TRF")."  Many such contributions help fund projects in the donor's community, and frequently these projects are funded through District Grants.  It's part of human nature to contribute to projects done in our own backyard.  The need is easily evident to us by virtue of getting to know our neighbors and the daily struggles they face as they work to improve their situation.  Paradoxically, however, humanitarian needs are often greater in far-flung corners of our world that attract little outside attention.

 

Many Rotarians are unaware that District Grant projects - funded by their annual fund contributions which garner Paul Harris Fellow recognition - may also be used for overseas projects.  Rotarian of Action Kay Bliss and the Rotary Club she belongs to, RC Ojai, are firm believers in using district grant funded projects to accomplish humanitarian goals across the globe.  In the most recently completed Rotary year of 2018-19, the Ojai club frequently worked with its overseas partners to complete projects in four different continents.  Project sites were in Europe (Bosnia, economic development), Asia (India, water and sanitation), Africa (Niger, peace and conflict resolution), and North America (USA, education).

 

True, global grants are the funding vehicles of choice for accomplishing large-scale humanitarian benefits on a world-wide basis.  But district grants also can be used to relieve human suffering and reverse misfortune in a manner that is both simple and highly cost-effective.  Please consider these benefits of your investment in TRF's annual fund.  Your contributions to the annual fund are the lifeblood of funding for District (and Global) Grants.  The icing on the cake is that all of your contributions to TRF's annual fund qualify you for Paul Harris Fellow recognition when they sum to $1,000 or more."

One way to grow Rotary is to form new clubs, even in communities where Rotary is thriving. Here is the message that Rotary International President Mark Maloney has been sharing demonstrating how a single Rotary club likely does not serve all of the leaders in a community.

Here is the link to the video:

https://www.facebook.com/RotaryPresident/videos/369014940481614/

Deepening our impact by expanding membership is a top priority for us. Rotary International has put together a page with many resources – from Assessing your club, Engaging new members, Connecting with prospective members and much more. This information can be found at https://my.rotary.org/en/learning-reference/learn-topic/membership

The District receives many questions about flexibility options for clubs. Rotary has a page that talks about Rotary club models, guide to satellite clubs, guide to corporate membership and more. Take a look at https://my.rotary.org/en/club-flexibility for ideas and information.

Make sure your club has a membership committee and you are exploring all of the options available! More Rotarians means we are more impactful in our communities, around the world, and in our members’ lives!

Let’s Grow Rotary!

Interested in showcasing your project at our upcoming District Conference?

We are asking any club that is interested in showcasing their international or local project at the upcoming D5240 Conference to submit their request by September 9th.

New Video Series Spotlights Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Members Sharing Why “BBRC is the Place to Be”!

As Rotary International works to build its brand and membership numbers around the globe, Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club (BBRC) is doing the same with its new series of video testimonials featuring members sharing some of their favorite Rotary experiences.

Click here to see Bree’s message:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=3PjEWm9HCoQ