Rotary Club of Northlakes Toukley In Touch November 2014 | Page 8
November is Rotary Foundation Month
By Bruce Allen,The Rotary Foundation - South Pacific & Philippines
The month of November is the month Rotary
International dedicates to the programs and activities
of the Rotary Foundation and this gives us a wonderful
opportunity to focus our attention on the many great
things that our foundation delivers to our world.
We take so much for granted as we enjoy our privileged
life. Water streams from every one of the 16 or so taps
in our houses, medical aid is just around the corner, a
strong and active education system provides a future
for all our children and with the exception of a few, we
want for nothing. How different it is for one-third of the
world’s population!
Including our efforts in the area of polio eradication,
your Foundation provided something like $180 million
last year to support clubs and districts in their efforts
to ‘do good in the world’. If you add the money supplied
by clubs and districts to complete these projects we
would have a conservative spend of something like
$450 million so we are not a small, insignificant
organization. We are a highly relevant significant group and we should never fail to make that point with our
friends.
Nothing ever comes cheap and everything The Foundation does costs money. When the money runs out so
does our ability to make a difference. Clubs can take the bull by the horns and agreed to pay their TRF
commitment now rather than wait until the traditional ‘rush’ period of June. We will get our money working
sooner rather than later and that will help enormously. If all clubs in Australia could do this then The
Foundation would be in a much stronger position.
We can also help as individuals. Those of us with Centurion commitments who aren’t tied into a scheduled
payment plan could consider paying this month. It’s only $100 per person but collectively it has the power
to do so much. Those of us who haven’t yet made the Centurion’ leap of faith’ might give the possibility a
little extra thought. That extra$$1.92 a week can make such a difference to the people depending on us for
a better life.
The Rotary Foundation is your own charity and I’m just asking you to be part of it.
Bruce Allen
Rotary Club of Northlakes Toukley
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