Past Rotary International President and incoming Chair of The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees, Jennifer Jones, says the most important word in Rotary is "impact". This month of November, in celebrating The Rotary Foundation, as People of Action, United for Good in Service Above Self, we recognize the huge global impact of Rotary in so many places throughout the world where there is need because of our top rated Foundation.
For each of our seven Areas of Focus there are many charities, relief organizations, and nonprofits doing the same type of work. But our Foundation allows us to achieve an impact in all seven. The seven Areas of Focus form an interconnected system. In any and all of them the Foundation supports us as peacebuilders.
As past Rotary International President Barry Rassin said, if communities in need want clean water, good health, and a sustainable future for our planet, we achieve a positive impact through our countless volunteer hours, backed by our Foundation.
If marginalized, if not desperate people, envision a world where peace, full literacy, and economic opportunities for communities to support themselves exist, according to Barry, they also believe in Rotary’s mission made possible by our Foundation. And if they want to see mothers and their babies thrive, their vision aligns with the work we do.
Polio eradication is changing the world, one drop of vaccine at a time. Rotary Peace Centers are training peacebuilders to reduce violence and resolve conflict.
At home, The Rotary Foundation, through District Grants, is supporting Rotary service projects in our communities. In the past year Rotary International year approved 1,210 global grants totalling US$72.1 million. Translating that into many thousands of lives improved ……that’s impact!