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The
Rotary Foundation. The
Rotary Foundation of RI, provision for which is made in article XII of the RI
constitution and article XXI of the RI bylaws, was established in 1917 as an
endowment fund. It was named The Rotary Foundation by the 1928 convention. In
1931, it was organized as a trust, and in 1983 established as a not-for-profit
corporation under the laws of the State of Illinois, U.S.A. The by-laws of The
Rotary Foundation are found in the yellow pages of this manual. The
Objective of the Foundation
The
objective of The Rotary Foundation is the furthering of understanding and
friendly relations between people of different nations through the fostering of
tangible and effective programs of a philanthropic, charitable, educational, or
other eleemosynary nature. The
mission of The Rotary Foundation is to support the efforts of Rotary
International to achieve world understanding and peace through international
humanitarian, educational and cultural exchange programs. Appointment
and Organization of Trustees Article
XXI of the RI by-laws provides for the appointment of 13 trustees by the
president, with the approval of the RI Board. The by-laws of the Foundation
provide that the trustees determine their committees and the duties of each. The
chairman of the trustees shall appoint the members and chairmen of all
committees and any sub committees. Committees of the trustees and their
membership are listed in the Official
Directory. General
Secretary of The Rotary Foundation The
general secretary of the Foundation shall be the same person as the general
secretary of RI elected by the RI Board for that same Rotary year. The general
secretary shall be the chief administrative
and financial officer of The Rotary Foundation subject to the direction of the
trustees and the chairman and responsible for the implementation of the
trustees’ policies and for general management and administration of the
corporation. (Rotary Foundation By-laws, article V, section 5.8) The general
secretary may delegate any of these duties for the Foundation to senior managers
under the general secretary’s supervision in the Secretariat. (93) Rotary
Foundation District Committees The
RI Board and the trustees have agreed that each governor shall, well before
taking office, appoint a District Rotary Foundation Committee (DRFC). The DRFC
consists of a chairman and eight subcommittee chairmen. All members of the
district committee and its sub committees are appointed by the governor.
If possible, the DRFC chairman and sub committee chairmen should be past
governors. Members should serve staggered three year terms to provide continuity
and to avoid total turnover of the committee membership each year. Sub
committees should include, insofar as possible, Rotarians who have had
experience in each field of activity for which the respective sub committees
have responsibility. The following sub-committees are suggested: 1)
Annual Giving 2) Planned Giving/Major Gifts or Permanent Fund 3) Foundation Information 4) Scholarships 5) Group Study Exchange 6) Grants 7) Alumni 8) Polio Plus
Descriptions of the duties of each of these sub committees may be found
in “The Rotary Foundation Handbook” (300-EN). 17. Programs of The Rotary Foundation The
RI Board and the Foundation Trustees have approved, as tangible and effective
means of furthering the objective of The Rotary Foundation, the following
programs: Rotary
Ambassadorial Scholarships Rotary
Grants for : University
Teachers Group
Study Exchange Matching
Grants for International Humanitarian Projects Helping
Grants Disaster
Relief Grants
Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants 3-H
Planning Grants Grants
for Rotary Volunteers Carl
P. Miller and DDF-Funded Discovery Grants New
Opportunities Grants Peace
Programs Polio
Plus Polio
Plus Partners
The application process, eligibility criteria and relevant dead lines for
all Rotary Foundation programs are explained in “The Rotary Foundation
Handbook” (300-EN). Rotary
Ambassadorial Scholarships The
Ambassadorial Scholarships program is the world’s largest privately funded
international scholarships program. Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships
are awarded for study or training in another country where Rotary clubs are
located. During the study period, Rotary Scholars serve as ambassadors of
goodwill to the people of the host country. There are five types of
Ambassadorial Scholarships available: Academic-Year
Ambassadorial Scholarships Academic-year
scholarships are for one academic year (usually nine months) of study in another
country. Multi-Year
Ambassadorial Scholarships Multi-year
scholarships are flat grants for two or three years of degree oriented study in
another country. Cultural
Ambassadorial Scholarships Cultural
ambassadorial scholarships are for three or six months of intensive language
training and cultural immersion in another country. Japan
Ambassadorial Scholarships Japan
Ambassadorial Scholarships is a pilot program available to Japanese districts
which provides for increased opportunities for Japanese language training and
cultural immersion in Japan. (Trustees 93) Vocational
Study Scholarships Vocational
Study Scholarships is a pilot program designed to provide opportunities for
candidates to engage in practical training in another country. (Trustees 95) All
five types of Ambassadorial Scholarships are designed to support the overall
mission of The Rotary Foundation — to further international understanding and
world peace —through the following program objectives: •
Send ambassadors of goodwill to improve international understanding; •
Instill a high degree of international understanding in all scholars within
the context of the high ideals which Rotary embodies; •
Impart needed skills to scholars, especially those from developing countries; •
Educate scholars from developed countries
in the unique problems and challenges faced by developing countries. Rotarians
support the Ambassadorial Scholarships Program, not only with their
contributions to the Foundation, but also in giving their time sponsoring and
hosting scholars every year. With guidance and leadership, the program can
produce men and women with the compassion and understanding to provide solutions
to human needs. District
Eligibility for Scholarships Ambassadorial
Scholarships are available for club and district sponsorship based on the funds
available in the District Designated Fund (DDF), and the district’s decision
regarding SHARE
allocations
to the Educational Programs category. Donated
Scholarships Districts
in high-income countries can help support deserving candidates from low income
countries and thus work toward the third goal of the Ambassadorial Scholarships
Program — “to impart needed skills to scholars, especially those from
developing countries”— by donating a scholarship to the district of their
choice. To further Rotarian involvement and fellowship, a combined selection
process is used to choose candidates for donated scholarships. See the “SHARE
Allocation
Workbook” (184-EN) for more details on how to donate a scholarship to another
district. In addition, the trustees approved a plan to provide districts with an
opportunity to designate a portion of their District Designated Fund in any
amount toward a pool for scholarships to be awarded to candidates from
low-income countries. (Trustees 98) Qualifications A
candidate for a Rotary Foundation scholarship must demonstrate outstanding
potential as an “ambassador of goodwill” which can be measured by such
qualities as leadership skills, communication skills and commitment to service.
Applicants must have completed at least two years of university or college work
or must have a secondary education and have been employed in a recognized
profession for at least two years when the scholarship begins. Selection Application
deadlines are set by individual clubs but should not be earlier than March or
later than 15 July preceding the 1 October Foundation deadline. All district
endorsed applications must be received by The Rotary Foundation no later than 1
October preceding the award year. Applicants who are approved by The Rotary
Foundation Trustees will receive confirmation of their study institution
assignments by15 December. Program
Implementation The
key to the success of Rotary’s Ambassadorial Scholarships Program is the role
of the Rotarian
counselors in
the sponsor and host districts in achieving the ambassadorial goals of the
scholarship. The governor shall appoint a sponsoring Rotarian counselor for each
outbound scholar sponsored by the district and also appoint host Rotarian
counselors for international scholars assigned to study in the governor’s
district. Rotarians assuming these appointments are responsible for educating
scholars on the ideals and activities of Rotary, integrating the scholars into
the community, and maintaining ongoing communication with the scholars before,
during and after their study year. In
order to fulfill their ambassadorial
responsibilities, scholars
must visit and speak to Rotary clubs, Rotaract clubs and non Rotary groups;
participate in the district conference, Foundation dinners, and in the programs
and service projects of Rotary and Rotaract clubs during the scholarship period.
Following their return home, scholars must participate in programs at club
meetings, district conferences, Foundation dinners and alumni activities;.
and
assist with orientation for outgoing and incoming scholars. It is the
responsibility of the sponsor and host counselors to help facilitate these
speaking obligations and opportunities for scholars to be actively involved in
Rotary club and district activities. (Trustees 93) Further
details concerning this program, qualifications of candidates and application
procedures may be found in the current edition of the leaflet “Rotary
Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships” (132-EN), “Ambassadorial
Scholarships and University Teacher Program Guide for Rotarians” (012-EN) and
“Ambassadorial Scholarships Handbook” (133-EN). Rotary
Grants for University Teachers The
Grants for University Teachers program blends two of Rotary’s most important
emphases — education and volunteer service. The primary purpose of the Grants
for University Teachers program is to further international understanding and
friendship while strengthening higher education in low income countries. These
grants are awarded to higher education faculty to teach a field of practical use
at universities or colleges in low-income countries (other than their own) for a
service period of 3-5 or 6-10 months. Low-income countries are defined in terms
of per capita GNP. These grants are sponsored by districts which have allocated
specific funding for such a grant under the SHARE
system
and are administered by The Rotary Foundation. Because University Teachers are
providing a service, Rotarians as well as non-Rotarians are eligible. Applicants
must hold (or, if retired, must have held) a full-time college- or university
level position for three or more years. Further details regarding this program
may be found in the current edition of the leaflet “Rotary Grants for
University Teachers” (193-EN) and “Ambassadorial Scholarships and University
Teacher Program Guide for Rotarians” (012-EN). Group
Study Exchange (GSE) The
Rotary Foundation Group Study Exchange program is a unique cultural and
vocational opportunity that promotes international understanding through
organized travel, personal contact and home stays. The program provides an
opportunity for teams of young professional men and women to exchange visits
between paired areas in different countries. Each team is led by a Rotarian team
leader. Spouses may not accompany the team. (Trustees 96) The
program is designed to develop professional and leadership skills among young
men and women in the initial years of professional life to better prepare them
to address the needs of their communities and an increasingly global workplace.
It also provides World Community Service opportunities to establish humanitarian
projects between the host and sending countries which may address specific needs
for health care, education or other humanitarian concerns. The four- to six-week
Group Study Exchange experience involves: Vocational
Activities which
provide opportunities to observe vocations as practiced in another country and
participate in a reciprocal exchange of ideas in their respective fields, which
ultimately will benefit all communities involved;
Cultural Experiences which
allow participants to study another country, its people and institutions and to
promote an appreciation of cultural diversity worldwide;
Fellowship
Opportunities which
encourage team members and hosts to meet, communicate and live with each other
in a spirit of fellowship and good will, to consider each other’s problems,
aspirations and community concerns, and to foster lasting friendships and
international understanding; and
Rotarian
Involvement in
providing young, formative professionals an experienced perspective of their
vocation in another country and culture and in participating in the process of
sending, receiving and sharing educational experiences of study teams that will
enhance the world wide mission of Rotary. District
Eligibility for Group Study Exchange To
qualify for an award, a district is required to certify that by action at its
district conference, at its district assembly, or by ballot-by-mail, two-thirds
of the clubs in the district have indicated their approval and support of the
application and agreed to serve as hosts to a visiting team if called upon. A
completed application citing a clear purpose and goals to be achieved by the
exchange must be submitted to the Foundation by 1 November. Each district may
express preference for the district or area with which it wishes to be paired,
but final pairing decisions are made by the trustees. The trustees recognize the
value of district pre-arranged pairings (self-pairings) and give favorable
consideration to pairings that involve diverse cultures, languages and regions.
(Trustees 96) Qualifications Team
members must currently be engaged in any recognized business or profession on a
full time basis, be involved in the initial years of their vocational life, and
be within an age range of 25-40. Candidates also must demonstrate qualities of
leadership, flexibility and tolerance in order to further the international
understanding purpose of the program. Team members should have reasonable
fluency in the language of the host country. Team leaders must be experienced
Rotarians, especially in International Service, well informed on the home
country and Rotary. The leader should demonstrate fluency in the language of the
host country. Past district governors may serve as team leaders provided that
there has been an open selection process offering this leadership opportunity to
district Rotarians and where special requirements of the exchange, such as
language, vocation and other needs, result in the past governor being chosen as
the best qualified candidate.(Trustees 97) Selection A
district should select a team composed of the most qualified applicants,
regardless of gender. The district Group Study Exchange selection committee
shall select the team leader and all team members from those candidates
interviewed and endorsed by a sponsoring club. The district governor shall
verify the eligibility of the selections and endorse the applications. Program
Implementation While
a traditional GSE team is composed of individuals from different professions, a
number of creative variations are possible. Single vocation teams with members
of similar professions (such as medicine, education, drug abuse counseling, or
agriculture) allow for a more in-depth study of specific vocations as practiced
in another country. Cultural teams include artists, musicians, or linguists who
share their talents with Rotarians from host districts. Exchanges which support
the development of projects involve team members who seek out humanitarian needs
in hosting districts and return home with one or more Foundation humanitarian
grant proposals. Members of Polio Plus GSE teams share technical expertise to
bring about the eradication of polio. It also is possible to have exchanges with
neighboring countries and new Rotary countries or, with trustee chairman
approval, a non Rotary country. (Trustees 96) In
general, the study team is in the care of the host district from the time of
arrival to the time of departure. Even when the tour plan involves other
districts, the host district undertakes and is responsible for creating the
study plan, preparing the itinerary, providing local transportation, hosting the
team, and arranging activity and as much home hospitality as possible. It is
important that the exhausting nature of the study tour is recognized and that
adequate free time is included in the schedule. Further
details concerning this program, qualifications of candidates, application
procedures and funding parameters may be found in the current edition of the
leaflet “Group Study Exchange” (160-EN), the “Group Study Exchange
District Leaders Handbook”(165-EN) and “Group Study Exchange Team
Handbook” (164-EN). Matching
Grants for International Humanitarian Projects The
goal of the Matching Grants program is to assist Rotary clubs and districts to
carry out World Community Service humanitarian projects in co-operation with
Rotarians of another country as a way to contribute to the furtherance of the
objective of The Rotary Foundation. (Trustees 92) The Foundation will match up to 100 percent of club and
district contributions for an approved International Service project not to
exceed a maximum grant of US$50,000.The program: 1)
promotes internationality through the interaction of clubs and districts
on an international scale; 2) strengthens clubs’ capabilities to provide better service to their communities; 3) provides funding for small, one-time only humanitarian service projects of clubs and districts involving active, personal participation; 4) is a tool for club and district World Community Service; 5) helps improve the quality of life for those less fortunate; 6) provides support for those projects that are not supported through other Foundation or RI programs. (Trustees 92) Projects
will be considered which: 1)
provide for humanitarian needs to benefit the economically disadvantaged
and provide assistance that is not being met by local or other resources; 2) have significant Rotarian involvement and have visible Rotary identification; 3) benefit a community as a whole; 4) involve participation and monitoring by Rotarians of clubs or districts in at least two countries. One country must be the local project country (where the project is located), and one will be the international sponsor country. Grant applicants are partners in the service project and must work together closely to complete the project. To ensure this kind of cooperation, each participating club or district must establish a committee of at least three Rotarians to oversee and report every six months to each other and to The Rotary Foundation on the project’s progress and completion; 5) are distinct from any other projects for which the same applicants have already received a Matching Grant involving the same beneficiaries, within the past five Rotary years.
Grant projects must not be designed to help any individual(s) to obtain
an academic degree or professional advancement, or for any individual(s) to
attend a seminar, conference or international exchange or involve the
establishment of a permanent foundation, trust or permanent interest bearing
account. Matching Grant funds (which include club and district funds to be
matched by the Foundation) cannot be used for the purchase of land or buildings
or the construction of substantial buildings; for payment of salaries or other
personnel costs (other than necessary, one-time-only contracted technical
expertise); or to support the operating/administrative expenses of any
organization. Before funds can be disbursed for a competitive Matching Grant,
the sponsoring clubs or districts shall present an acceptable plan to
demonstrate that The Rotary Foundation and Rotary International will be publicly
and permanently recognized in a manner commensurate with the size and nature of
the grant from the Foundation. (Trustees 94). Helping
Grants Helping
Grants are designed to facilitate international service projects in areas where
Rotary clubs are not present or where the local Rotary club, because of either
inaccessibility or distance from the project site, cannot provide significant
Rotarian involvement and oversight. These grants are similar to Matching Grants
except that the maximum amount of a Helping Grant is US$15,000 and contributions
to the project from sponsoring clubs and districts are matched by the Foundation
as a 50 percent match; that is, US$2.00 from the sponsor will be matched by
US$1.00 from the Foundation. Disaster
Relief Grants As
an activity within the Matching Grants program, The Rotary Foundation will make
small Disaster Relief Grants of up to US $5,000, recognizing that such an amount
is primarily a concrete expression of humanitarian concern and cannot be
expected to meet a significant proportion of the actual needs incurred as a
result of a disaster. A Disaster Relief Grant may be made by the RI president
when a disaster notice is issued by RI in response to a request submitted from
the governor in the affected area. These grants are a supplement to the RI
disaster notice system and to the financial assistance offered by Rotarians
around the world. These grants are limited to a maximum of one grant per
disaster. Districts also may use District Designated Funds to respond to RI
disaster notices.(See also “Disaster Relief” in Chapter 7.) Health,
Hunger and Humanity Grants The
purpose of the Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants program is to improve
health, alleviate hunger, and enhance human and social development as a means of
advancing international understanding, goodwill and peace. The advancement of
this purpose is through major projects which are too large for club or district
financial and personal resources. (78) Consideration
is given to projects that comply with the criteria listed below. The project
must: 1)
be designed to improve health alleviate hunger, or enhance human and
social development, as a means of advancing international understanding,
goodwill, and peace; 2) involve active participation by a substantial number of Rotarians; 3) have the support of local Rotarians, Rotary clubs and/or dis-tricts; 4) constitute an International Service project; 5) be too large for any one club, district or group of clubs or districts; 6) provide benefits of a long term, self-help nature; 7) reasonably ensure continued support after involvement by The Rotary Foundation and/or RI is discontinued; 8) not involve the purchase of land, or the purchase or construction of substantial buildings; 9) not involve liability to The Rotary Foundation or to RI except to provide the amount of the grant. (79)
To apply for a 3-H Grant, applicants must first submit a three to five
page proposal which outlines the project and the participation of Rotarians in
the project, and include a one-page project budget. If it meets 3-H program
requirements, the sponsors will be asked to complete an application which will
be submitted to the trustees for consideration. Although 3-H Grants may involve
the co-operation of non-Rotary organizations, the project must be clearly
identified as initiated, controlled and conducted by the Rotary clubs or
districts involved and follow The Rotary Foundation guidelines relating to
non-Rotary organization cooperation. 3-H
Planning Grants Planning
Grants are designed to subsidize the advance planning of Rotary clubs and
districts designing 3-H projects of significant size and impact. Grants of up to
US$20,000 are awarded on a competitive basis. Grants
for Rotary Volunteers Rotarians,
Foundation alumni and Rotaractors registered under the RI Rotary Volunteers
program, who have located a service site in a country other than their own, and
who plan to serve between four to eight weeks, may be eligible to receive a
Grant for Rotary Volunteers, which provides funds for travel and basic expenses.
For information on the RI Rotary Volunteers program see Chapter 5, “Vocational
Service. ”Non-Rotarians may be eligible for Grants for Rotary Volunteers
provided that they serve in a clearly identified Rotary project or an approved
3-H or Matching Grant project and have specialized skills or expertise for the
project. Funding for one-year Long Term Volunteers is awarded through District
Designated Funds at US$20,000 per volunteer. Carl
P. Miller and District Designated Fund Discovery Grants Discovery
Grants, originally established by a gift from Past President and Mrs. Carl P.
Miller, promote International Service projects that have the potential to become
major co-operative service efforts involving clubs and districts in two or more
countries. Discovery Grants provide support for the travel and related expenses
necessary in the development stages of the International Service project. Grants
of up to US$3,000 are awarded twice yearly to clubs or districts on a
competitive basis. Application forms are available upon request from The Rotary
Foundation. Deadlines for receipt of applications are 1 July and 1 January.
(Trustees 91, 92) Districts
also may apply for Discovery Grants using their District Designated Funds. These
DDF-funded grants are not competitive and are approved year-round. New
Opportunities Grants New
Opportunities Grants are funded through the District Designated Fund and provide
districts with a resource to design and undertake creative International Service
projects which are in keeping with the mission of The Rotary Foundation and
Rotary ideals, but which do not meet eligibility criteria for funding through
existing Foundation programs. Peace
Programs Rotary
Peace Programs are designed to support creative activities which promote
co-operation, goodwill and development. The grants are designed to utilize the
worldwide membership, programs and resources of Rotary to achieve greater
knowledge by Rotarians, the general public and opinion and policy makers of the
strategies that enhance cooperation between nations, cultivate goodwill and
peaceful understanding among people, and promote economic and human development.
(Trustees 96) Rotary
clubs and districts wishing to apply for subsidies from the Foundation for Peace
Programs should submit applications to the trustees or directors most convenient
to their areas. (Trustees 91) Polio
Plus The
goal of eradicating polio, with certification of eradication by 2005, is a
“priority of the highest order” for Rotary International. After several
years of involvement with polio related activities, the Polio Plus Program began
in 1985 with a commitment to raising US$120 million to provide polio vaccine to
any developing country that requested it. By 1988, Rotarians raised over US $240
million and mobilized thousands of volunteers to assist in
massive immunization campaigns and polio eradication activities around
the world. Rotary was in large part the catalyst for the World Health
Assembly’s adoption of the goal of global polio eradication by the year 2000.
In addition to providing vaccine and support for its delivery, the Polio Plus
Program now includes any activity that directly supports the eradication
of
polio. Activities include organizing “National Immunization Days,” tracking
the virus through surveillance programs, vaccinating particularly vulnerable
children in hard-to-reach places, and informing national governments and other
funding sources of the urgency, the need, and the benefits of investing extra
funds to eradicate polio. The International Polio Plus Committee (IPPC)
co-ordinates all Polio Plus elements, directs all regional and national Polio
Plus committees, and recommends policies and strategies to the Trustees of The
Rotary Foundation to help achieve polio eradication. Each country or region
carrying out polio eradication activities has a Polio Plus committee to oversee
these activities. All Polio Plus committees are listed in the Official
Directory. Further
information about committees can be obtained from the Secretariat. Grant
proposals to support polio eradication efforts are developed through formal
consultation with the appropriate Interagency Co-ordinating Committee partners
such as national Ministries of Health, UNICEF and the World Heath Organization.
The International Polio Plus Committee reviews proposals to ensure consistency
with Polio Plus policy and funding priorities and makes appropriate
recommendations to the trustees regarding those grant requests. In accordance
with action taken by the 1995 Council on Legislation, the Trustees of The Rotary
Foundation affirm that the global eradication is, and must remain, the premier
goal of Rotary International and its Foundation until the day the world is
certified as being rid of the polio virus. (Trustees 98) Polio
Plus Partners The
Polio Plus Partners program permits all Rotarians to share in the goal of polio
eradication by contributing funds to specific mobilization and surveillance
activities. As such, it also supplements the available funds necessary to
complete the eradication of polio. For further information and a list of
“open” polio eradication projects, please contact the Secretariat. For
further information about the Polio Plus program, please refer to “TheRotary
Foundation Handbook” (300-EN), the Polio Plus Program Annual Report on
Operations, or contact the Secretariat for a current fact sheet. Foundation
Grant Project Monitoring Many
3-H or Matching Grant projects are monitored by independent Rotary volunteers
assigned by the trustees to evaluate the effectiveness of the grants in
achieving the project goals and purposes. Should the Foundation require
assistance for routine grant project monitoring, review or intervention, the
governor may be considered a possible resource for such help. When requested by
the Foundation, the governor (or a designee) shall make a concerted effort to
assist in a problem situation in the district including securing a response from
project sponsors for clarification, information and required reporting; helping
to determine the status of a project; reiterating the Foundation guidelines; and
handling local disagreements. Governors are encouraged to visit Foundation
grant-funded projects, commend local clubs for their work and help identify,
resolve or prevent problem situations from occurring. Governors also are
encouraged to make site visits to assess the outcome of past projects. (Trustees
92) Further,
governors shall be ex-officio
members
of project committees for district-sponsored Matching Grants and 3-H Grant
projects. Club presidents shall be ex-officio
members
of project committees for club sponsored Matching Grants and 3-HGrant projects
for the purpose of reducing the likelihood of irregularities in handling of
grant funds. (Trustees 93) Ineligibility
for Foundation Awards The
RI Board and the trustees have agreed
that, in order to exemplify the ideal of service, no award under programs
supported by The Rotary Foundation will be made to a Rotarian, with the specific
exemption of all volunteer services as identified by the trustees; an employee
of a club, district, or other Rotary entity, or of RI; and a spouse, a lineal
descendant (child or grandchild by blood and any legally adopted child), a
spouse of a lineal descendant; or an ancestor (parent or grandparent by blood)
of any person in the above two categories. (93) The
ideal of service is best exemplified by a policy which provides, in effect, that
those who contribute to the Foundation should not also be the beneficiaries of
the programs of the Foundation either directly or indirectly. The Rotary motto
“Service Above Self” is best exemplified through charitable and educational
programs based on unselfish service to deserving persons who are not Rotarians
or their relatives. Persons ineligible under this policy remain ineligible for a
period of thirty six months after a Rotarian resigns his or her club membership.
(Trustees 93) Foundation
Alumni All
former Rotary scholars, Group Study Exchange participants and University Teacher
Grant or Rotary Volunteer Grant recipients, as well as individuals who have
traveled as part of a Discovery or New Opportunities Grant, are considered
alumni of The Rotary Foundation. The alumni relations efforts of The Rotary
Foundation are undertaken to help program alumni develop a continuing
affiliation with Rotarians and other Foundation alumni from around the world. As
former program participants, alumni have developed a sense of commitment to the
world community and continue to share Rotary’s vision of furthering
understanding and peaceful relations among the world’s people. Sponsoring
districts are encouraged to consider the following actions to enhance
relationships with Foundation alumni in their districts and to help achieve the
intended objectives of the programs in which they participated: 1)
formally greet all scholars upon their return home; 2) ensure that returned scholars complete required presentations primarily in the sponsoring district, namely: a)
at least five talks at Rotary functions during the first year after
return home; b) at least three talks to non-Rotary audiences after return home; 3) arrange for articles on alumni activities in university and other appropriate publications; 4) invite alumni to the district conference; 5) invite alumni to annual Foundation dinners or other functions; 6) organize regular reunions of dis-trictalumni; 7) keep district alumni records current; 8) consider alumni as potential Rotary members; 9) invite alumni to contribute to the Foundation as appropriate; 10) ask alumni to participate in orientation programs for outbound program participants in the district; 11) encourage invitations to alumni to attend or participate as speakers at special district and club functions. (Trustees 93)
Additionally, it is the district’s responsibility to update and
maintain a current list of all district alumni, to advise The Rotary Foundation
of any change of address/phone/fax numbers for district alumni, and to ensure
that the person responsible for this district list passes it on to his or her
successor. Rotary
Foundation Scholar Alumni Awards Two
Foundation Scholar Alumni Awards are given annually to scholar alumni. The
Achievement Award is given to alumni who have achieved a high degree of
distinction in contributing their time, leadership abilities and expertise to
the enrichment of their profession or vocation. The Service Award is given to
those who have demonstrated a personal commitment, through voluntary or
professional efforts, and beyond the ordinary duties of the work place, to the
pursuit of greater understanding and peace through service to humanity. The
Rotary Foundation Month The
RI Board and the trustees have agreed that annually during November “The
Rotary Foundation Month” shall be observed during which clubs shall be urged
to devote at least one club program to the Foundation. (64, 81) 18.
Fiscal Matters, Foundation Support and Donor Recognition Purposes
for Which Funds of the Foundation Shall Be Expended The
1983 articles of incorporation for The Rotary Foundation of RI (part of which
are placed immediately before the Foundation bylaws in the yellow pages of this Manual)
give specific information on the “Purposes” of Rotary’s Foundation and the
“Dedication of its Income and Assets. ” Policies
Regarding Stewardship of Rotary Foundation Funds by Clubs and Districts The
trustees recognize that the funds received from Rotarians and other donors
around the world are voluntary contributions reflecting their hard work and
dedicated support. These donors have entrusted The Rotary Foundation with their
contributions with the faith and understanding that they will be used
effectively and for the purposes for which they were given. There fore, the
trustees, acting in their capacity as stewards of these funds, stress the
importance of proper fiscal management in any activities associated with the
programs of The Rotary Foundation. The trustees rely on the integrity of the
clubs and the Rotarians engaged in project implementation to ensure that funds
are used effectively for the purposes for which they were given. The trustees
will promptly investigate any irregularities coming to their attention and take
what-ever action may be appropriate. The recipient of a grant, the grant’s
sponsors and all others associated with the project are expected to: 1)
treat Rotary Foundation funds as a sacred trust to be constantly
safeguarded from loss, misuse, or diversion and to be used only for the stated
purpose which shall be strictly interpreted; 2) exercise the highest attention to the prevention of even the appearance that Rotary Foundation funds are being used in an improper manner, whether such appearance may be in the eyes of Rotarians or the general public. Such attention is expected to go beyond that afforded to the use of private or corporate funds; 3) assure competent and thorough oversight of the project with clear delineation of responsibility; 4) conduct all financial transactions and project activity relating to the grant at least at the level of standard business practice and always in consonance with the “Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions” and in the full spirit of The 4-Way Test; 5) report immediately any irregularity in grant-related activity to The Rotary Foundation; 6) implement projects as approved by the trustees in their grant award. Any deviation from the agreed terms or changes in the implementation of the project must receive prior written authorization from The Rotary Foundation; 7) arrange for independent financial and performance reviews and/or audits in accordance with current trustee policy and guidelines; 8) report on both program and financial activities on a timely and detailed basis. (93) Annual
Independent Financial Reviews for Humanitarian Grants of The Rotary Foundation All
grantees of Humanitarian Program Grants from The Rotary Foundation are
encouraged to have an annual independent financial review. For those grants in
the amount of US $15,001 or more,
an annual independent financial review
is required. Tax
Advantages and Contributions In
some countries, contributions to The Rotary Foundation or related enti-tiesmay
be deducted in connection with the filing of income tax returns or may receive
other tax considerations. Clubs and individuals should ascertain from local
authorities whether Foundation contributions receive tax advantages in their
respective countries. In the United States, The Rotary Foundation of RI has been
recognized as a tax-exempt, charitable entity under section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code. Further, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service has classified
the Foundation as “one that is not a private foundation as defined in section
509(a) of the Code.” (Letter dated 12 September1986.) Some tax deductibility
or benefit is currently available for some contributions in Australia, Canada,
Germany, India, Japan, Korea and the United Kingdom. Raising
Funds for the Foundation The
RI Board and the trustees have agreed that no limit shall be set with regard to
the maximum amount of The Rotary Foundation funds. As an officer of RI, the
governor has direct responsibility for promoting The Rotary Foundation within
the district, to the end that the aims and purposes of the Foundation in
furthering world understanding and peace may become better known and supported. The
SHARE System Participation
in the programs of the Foundation is an important part of the success of the
Foundation. In order to allow districts a voice in how contributions are spent
and to enable districts to participate to the fullest extent possible, the
trustees developed the SHARE
system
(Trustees 90) for the allocation of funds. All district Annual Programs Fund
giving is divided into two categories. Sixty percent of a district’s Annual
Programs Fund giving is credited to the District’s Designated Fund. The
governor — after consultation with the immediate past governor, the
governor-elect, the governor-nominee for the following year, the district
Foundation committee chairman, and other Rotarians in the district in a manner
appropriate to that district — will advise the general secretary of the
district’s allocation of any amount credited to its District Designated
Fund.(Trustees 91) The
World Fund, which is credited with the remaining 40 percent, pays for other
Foundation programs such as the annual Group Study Exchange award for which
every district may apply, 3-H Grants, Matching Grants, Grants for Rotary
Volunteers, Rotary Peace Programs and any new pilot programs.(Trustees 93) Details
of the SHARE
system
may be found in “The Rotary Foundation Handbook” (300-EN) and the SHARE
workbook
published annually. Contributions
to the Foundation In
recognition of the fact that The Rotary Foundation has developed on the basis of
voluntary contributions, reference to contributions to the Foundation as a
condition of club membership, or any reference implying such condition, shall
not appear on the membership application card. The amendment of Rotary club
by-laws to provide as a condition of membership the making of contributions to
The Rotary Foundation, and any reference thereto on the Rotary membership
identification card, is not authorized. It
is suggested to governors that they stress through regular channels, such as the
district Rotary Foundation committee, the district assembly, district and club
Foundation seminars, and club visits, the importance of Rotary clubs and
Rotarians making annual contributions to The Rotary Foundation. The RI Board and
the trustees have agreed that every club and every Rotarian should be a
contributor to The Rotary Foundation. Each Rotarian, and particularly all new
members, should
be
encouraged to contribute annually to the Foundation and to consider making a
gift provision in his or her will or other estate plans. Contributions
may be made to three funds: The
Annual Programs Fund receives
the annual programs fund contributions and the corpus pays for the grants and
awards made by the Foundation. Contributions are used approximately three years
after they are contributed. The investment income from these contributions
during that period is used to pay for program operations, fund development and
general administration expenses of The Rotary Foundation. The
Permanent Fund is
an endowment fund from which only the earnings are spent in support of
Foundation programs. Its objective is to ensure maintenance of a minimum level
of program activity and facilitate new or expanded programs in the future. RI
encourages Rotarians to consider providing special support to the Permanent Fund
as a celebration of Rotary’s approaching centenary and as a demonstration of
commitment to Rotary as a movement for the centuries and a world leader in
international service (95-184). The
Polio Plus Fund pays
all grants made in support of the Polio Plus Program and its goal of the world
wide eradication of poliomyelitis by 2000 and the certification of its
eradication by 2005, the 100th anniversary of Rotary. The Rotary Foundation is
no longer soliciting Polio Plus contributions, but donors may designate
contributions to this fund. Contribution
Recognition Policies Donors
contribute to The Rotary Foundation to support its programs. To acknowledge
Foundation donors, the trustees provide various types of donor recognition. All
contributions are credited to a Rotary club designated by the donor, assisting
the club in attaining higher per capita total contributions and higher all-time
giving. Permanent
Fund Gifts 1)
Gifts in any amount may be made to the Permanent Fund; 2) Undesignated Permanent Fund giving, like undesignated annual giving, will be encouraged over gifts from which earnings must be applied to specified uses (or restricted purposes); 3) Any donor who has made a provision in estate plans for a gift to the Permanent Fund, or who makes an outright gift of US $1,000 or more to the Permanent Fund, is considered a Benefactor. Unless otherwise specified by the donor, the proceeds of any estate disposition in favor of the Foundation will be placed in the Permanent Fund with the annual earnings from the gift going directly to support programs funded by the World Fund and the donor being considered a Benefactor; 4) Benefactors receive certificates as well as insignia to be worn in conjunction with Paul Harris Fellow or other appropriate pins; 5) Names of Benefactors in each district are sent annually to the governors and are published as appropriate in various Rotary publications; 6) Permanent Fund contributions create eligibility for general Foundation major gift recognition (cumulative US $10,000 and above). Irrevocably committed life income and life insurance gifts also are recognized. Bequests A
donor who wishes to make a gift to the Foundation may name The Rotary
Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation with its principal offices in Evanston,
Illinois, U.S.A., as a beneficiary in his or her will. Anyone who notifies the
trustees that he or she has remembered the Foundation in a will receives
benefactor recognition from the trustees. Paul
Harris Fellows A
Paul Harris Fellow is someone who contributes, or in whose name is contributed,
US$1,000. A
new Paul Harris Fellow will receive, upon request, a personalized certificate
with presentation folder, a lapel pin, and a medallion. The most common types of
contributions eligible for Paul Harris Fellow Recognition are Annual Programs
Fund contributions. However, the following restricted contributions also are
eligible for Paul Harris Fellow Recognition: World Fund, Polio Plus,Polio Plus
Partners, approved Disaster Relief projects, the sponsor portions of approved
Matching Grants, the sponsor portions of approved 3-H Grants, and approved
Helping Grants. A
Multiple Paul Harris Fellow is a Paul Harris Fellow who has contributed, or in
whose name is contributed, additional US $1,000 gifts to the Foundation. Details
are available from the Secretariat. A Paul Harris Sustaining Member is an
individual who contributes, or in whose name is contributed, a minimum of US
$100, with the understanding that the individual will become a Paul Harris
Fellow through a total contribution of US $1,000. Contributions are applied
toward an individual’s Sustaining Membership by request, ideally through the
submission of a Recognition/Contribution
Form at
the time the contribution is made. The Rotary Foundation does not extend
tangible recognition to Sustaining Members. Rotary clubs are encouraged to find
creative ways to recognize Sustaining Members. Donor
Named Program Activities Individuals
or corporations can have Rotary Foundation Scholarships awarded in their names
by contributing the full cost of one academic year of international study which
corresponds to the SHARE
District
Designated Fund amount required for a nine month Ambassadorial Scholarship.
An Endowed Named Scholarship, to be awarded in those years in which the
principal earns sufficient interest to cover the full cost of one academic year
of international study, is available for a gift of US $150,000 or more.
Endowment funds restricted to support other specific program activities can be
established by individual donors for a minimum gift of US $150,000. Details are
available from World Headquarters or the district Rotary Foundation committee. Service
Awards The trustees recognize Rotarians who have rendered significant service to The Rotary Foundation by awarding them The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service. A certificate is presented to each recipient. Those whose outstanding service to The Rotary Foundation is on a broader basis, extending beyond the district level and over an extended period of time, are recognized by the trustees with The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award, for which a plaque is presented. A further description of these awards is included in “The Rotary Foundation Handbook” (300-EN). Additional information, eligibility criteria and nomination forms may be obtained from The Rotary Foundation at World Headquarters or from a local service center. | |||||||||
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