Lifecycle of a Service Project (Part 3): Acquiring Resources

Rotary International is presenting the third webinar in this five-part series about designing and implementing sustainable service projects. The series highlights strategies, best practices, and the Rotary resources available to help clubs and districts undertake successful, sustainable service initiatives, using real-life examples from Rotarians.   In part 3, you will:  Learn how to find partners -- other clubs and organizations -- with which to collaborate in order to increase the impact of your project Find out how to secure funding, volunteers, and needed resources for your service project  Become familiar with Rotary resources that can help make your service project a success Space is limited to 500 attendees, so register today! Note that all times are Chicago time (UTC-6). Convert to your local time. To register, click on the links below:                        English: Tuesday, 28 January, 10:00-11:00                             English: Tuesday, 28 January, 18:00-19:00

 

President Burton on the death of Nelson Mandela

Rotary members worldwide are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Nelson Mandela, a man who overcame unimaginable hardships to emerge as one of the greatest leaders of our time -- and one of our greatest humanitarians.

 

Mr. Mandela shared Rotary’s commitment to humanitarian service and world peace, and twice as President of South Africa accepted Rotary recognition for his commitment to helping those in need, especially the children of southern Africa. In 1995, President Mandela received the Rotary International Award of Honor. Two years later, he accepted Rotary’s highest award, the Rotary Award for World Understanding. In true fashion, he donated the $100,000 grant accompanying the award to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

 

Rotary is especially grateful for his strong support of the global effort to eradicate the crippling disease polio, our organizaton’s highest priority. Mr. Mandela himself helped administer oral polio vaccine to the children of South Africa, which has been declared polio-free.

 

Our deepest condolences go to Mr. Mandela’s family, to his millions of admirers worldwide, and especially to the People of South Africa, including the country’s Rotary members, who knew him as a friend and staunch supporter of humanitarian service.

 

Despite this great loss, Mr. Mandela’s legacy of courage, determination, and commitment will forever inspire us to move forward in our effort to achieve a better, more peaceful world.

 

Ron D. Burton

President, Rotary International

Are you a Butterfly ?

During my year as a Governor, my Club visit speech was based on the “Butterfly Effect”. In chaos theory, the Butterfly Effect is the sensitive dependency on initial conditions in which a small change at one place can result in large differences in a later state. In Rotary parlance, a tiny act on the part of one person can have the effect of touching so many people’s lives across the globe.

How then does this relate to Rotary? Think about where we started. Each one of our acts makes an impact. What we do, when we do it, and how we do it, lives on forever. When Paul Harris met in 1905 with his three business friends would he have ever dreamt what Rotary would be today? He did something that made an impact across the world. That was the butterfly effect on Rotary.

 

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is celebrated during November of each year and the achievements of our Foundation cannot be ignored.  It has taken the tiny act (an idea or thought) of one person plus the tremendous support of the Family of Rotary and our generous sponsors that has led to numerous major achievements which have changed the lives of millions of people.

 

Somebody in the Philippines had an idea that we needed to stop the scourge of Polio in our country and one idea started an accumulation of ideas. It was September 1979Rotarians and delegates of the Philippine Ministry of Health looked on as volunteers administered drops of the lifesaving Sabin polio vaccine to about 100 children in Manila. In that same month then RI President James L. Bomar Jr. put the first drops of vaccine into a child's mouth, ceremonially launching the Philippine poliomyelitis immunisation effort and Rotary's first Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grant project was underway. In that same month Bomar signed the contract committing Rotary International and the government of the Philippines to the joint five-year effort to immunise about six million children against polio in a US$760,000 immunisation drive.The success of the project ultimately led to the creation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative with Rotary as a spearheading partner. It also set the stage for Rotary's signature campaign to rid the world of polio.

 

We have just three countries that are affected by Polio with less than 500 reported cases last year. We are almost there because somebody had a dream and the butterfly effect of one person’s dream. Sadly though a few more countries in Africa have had the reoccurrence of the Polio virus and we need to keep at eradication to ensure that we keep our promise to the children of the world.

 

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Challenge is a wonderful example of the butterfly effect. In January 2009 I had the privilege of meeting Bill Gates Jnr when he met the incoming Governors in San Diego at the RI Assembly. It was here he said and I quote…“Rotary is incredible in what you do around the world in your 34000 plus clubs that I want to give you $255 million, so that you can eradicate and finish the job of Polio.” He also challenged us to raise money for Polio and a target was set and in true Rotary spirit this target was met 6 months before the due date. The Gates Foundation continues to engage with TRF and further donations and challenges have been made.  Rotarians and business leaders around the world have risen to meet the challenge.

 

The polio virus has been eradicated in most of the world, but Pakistan is one of the few countries where it is still a problem. Programmes to vaccinate children have been hampered by suspicions about the purpose of the vaccinations, religious concerns about the vaccines, violence from extremists, and critics who say Pakistan has more pressing problems to deal with.

 

Now let’s think of the Rotary Peace Centers which were set up by the Rotary Foundation. You and I have made this a reality through our contributions to the Rotary Foundation. Somebody had an idea and said that tour mission is world understanding and peace. We’ve got to get out there and do other things that really aim at our mission. So we set up the Rotary Peace Centers and started the Rotary Peace Fellow Programme.

 

Imagine 20 years from now or 30 years from now when so many of these young people are going to be in critical positions and we are going to read about their success stories in the Rotarian magazine or across the global newspapers. We are going to read about this past scholar who was funded by the Rotary Foundation bringing peace to the Middle East because of what we started today.  When we read that article perhaps with our grandchildren on our laps, we will be proud to have been Rotarians because we made it happen by supporting the programme. You created the butterfly effect. You started something small, you started with an idea that grew so much that it helps and changes mankind. That’s the butterfly effect. We do it every day. During the past week I was sent an email by the Rotary Foundation indicating it’s progress to creating the Endowment Fund for the Peace Programme. The goal of $105m is within reach, thanks to the generosity of individuals and corporates who have contributed in excess of $93m as at 11 October 2013.

 

There are many times in our life when we may feel as small as a butterfly, and when we think that the things we can do, has little effect as the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings.  We think that in our own little space allotted to us, in the small roles given us to play, that we make almost no difference in the lives of those around us.Little however do we know… that what we do… may truly result into a big difference later on, creating waves of change that wouldn’t have happened had we not taken the initiative to do our part.

So let us remember the Butterfly Effect for who knows when our little deeds may just yield a tornado of blessings to countless others around us, even to those whom we haven’t met or will never meet.

Are you a Butterfly? Share your experiences with me and I will select a few for forthcoming articles. Send me your stories to rotary@nattymoodley.co.za.

 

Natty Moodley

November 2013

CREATING A WORLD THAT WILL BE POLIO FREE

Message from IPPC chair Robert S. Scott

World Polio Day on 24 October 2013 is quickly approaching and we have much to celebrate.  Not only have the efforts of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative led us 99% of the way to eradication, we continue to make progress.

Here’s why:

1. Polio cases in the three remaining polio-endemic countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria) are lower than they were at this time last year.
2. No cases of type 3 wild poliovirus have been reported since 2012.
3. The generosity of Rotarians is helping to sustain the momentum of the polio eradication initiative, particularly through our continuing financial support.  Rotary and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have extended our partnership through the “End Polio Now: Make History Today” campaign, which now promises that one dollar spent by Rotary results in three dollars to the initiative (up to US$35 million a year through 2018)  due to two dollars being added by the Gates Foundation.

Despite this progress, we still face challenge that must be overcome to realize a polio-free world. The previously-polio free countries of Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia are facing an outbreak. We know that such outbreaks will continue to threaten polio-free countries until transmission is stopped in the endemics once and for all. And health workers in some areas of Pakistan and Nigeria remain at risk due to insecurity. These brave workers remain dedicated to the fight to end polio.

As the Chairman of Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee, I ask you to remain committed to Rotary’s mission of a polio-free world.  Please visit endpolionow.org to join in.  Watch Rotary’s Livestream event on 24 October 2013. On World Polio Day, we want you to advocate, donate, and share your voice. We are truly “this close” to making history.

Robert S. Scott

AFRICA CALLING...our bid to host the 2019 RI Convention in Durban

The Host Organising Committee of the 2019 Rotary International Durban convention have asked me to remind you that it is vital for all Rotarians in Southern Africa to stand united in support of the proposed All Africa International Convention set for Durban in 2019, the first ever to be held on our continent.

If you have not yet registered on Africa Calling, www.africacalling.co.za, please do so to continue to receive updates on our progress.

This mail is to let you know that the Rotary International Board will sit from 28th October 2013 in Evanston to decide, finally, on the choice of Durban as the venue for the 2019 Convention.

Please assist me NOW by emailing your Rotary director, Gideon Peiper ( peiper@bezeqint.net ), incoming director Safak Alpay ( safaka@interpro.com.tr ) as well as Rotary International General Secretary ( John.Hewko@rotary.org ) and show them your support for Durban as the venue for the first ever Rotary Convention ever held on the African continent.

Just email the words, “I support the 2019 RI Convention in Durban. Your name, Rotary club and District”

Just like the Polio Plus campaign we are “This Close” to having our bid approved and your support will show that Africa really does mean business.

Please join me in helping ‘complete the circle’ of Rotary conventions by bringing the 2019 convention to Africa.

Africa is Calling you

For and on behalf of HOC Chair PDG Nick Phillips

In the Pin we Trust

Rotary's emphasis on vocational service has its roots in the founding of the organisation in 1905 and the use of the classification principle — the guideline by which nearly all Rotary membership is determined — assures that each club has among its’ members a cross-section of a community's business and professional population.

The second part of the Object of Rotary calls for Rotarians to apply high ethical standards in their businesses and professions, recognise the worthiness of all useful occupations, and to consider their own occupations as opportunities to serve society.

In 1943, Rotarians were provided with a tool to help them achieve their vocational service goals when the RI Board of Directors voted to make The 4-Way Test an official component of the vocational service ideal. The test gave Rotarians a way to assess whether their personal and business dealings were being conducted with truth, fairness, goodwill, and decency.

The three key principles of vocational service are:

(a)  All occupations are valued

(b)  Practising high ethical standards through the Rotary Four Way Test

(c)  Contribute your vocational talents

 

Vocational service focuses on:

Ø  The recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, not just your own or those that are pursued by fellow Rotarians.

Ø  Adherence to, and promotion of, the highest ethical standards in all occupations, including fair treatment of employers, employees, associates, competitors, and the public.

Ø  The values expressed in The 4-Way Test and the Declaration for Rotarians in Business and Professions, which promote high ethical standards in the workplace, a central theme of Rotary throughout its history.

Ø  The contribution of your vocational talents to the problems and needs of society.

As business leaders, Rotarians share their skills and expertise through vocational service in one of the Four Avenues of Service. One’s vocational service efforts can play a vital role in improving the quality of life of those hardworking members of the community who give direction and expertise.

Paul Harris, our founder, said that of all the one hundred and one ways in which men can make themselves useful to society, undoubtedly the most available and often the most effective are within the spheres of their own occupation.

“The Four Way Test is very much relevant today. Please make clubs realize that mere essay competitions, plaque distribution in schools is not enough. Nor framing them and hanging them in work places. The real test will be ‘How much am I able to apply it to myself?’ PRIP Rajendra Saboo

“In today’s environment of scandal and exploitation, we as Rotarians must take a leading role in standing up for our principles. This little pin should stand as a reminder to each of us of our responsibilities and give others the confidence to think “You are a Rotarian. I can trust you. Past RI Director Robert A. Stuart, Jr

Rotary’s electronic systems underwent a major overhaul in recent months and I wish to draw your attention to the following.

Rotary International launched it’s new brand strategy last month with the new enhanced RI logo. It certainly looks fresh and cleaner and this strategy has been carried forward into the new redesigned Rotary website. A few days ago I had the privilege of attending a webinar on the new Rotary website on how to move within the site. The site is essentially split into two. One is for Rotarians or our members and the other is for the general public. Rotarians will have varied access to information dependent on their specific area of responsibility within the club, District or Rotary International.

The general public would be able to access Rotary’s brand and programmes and the home page speaks to the greater audience on our image and principles.

Then there is Rotary showcase, which was officially launched at the Bangkok Convention in May 2012. It is Rotary’s newest social medial tool that helps Rotarians share service initiatives with the Rotary family and the general public. Members are encouraged to add their Club’s service project activities, exchange ideas with one another and explore the variety of activities been undertaken by members around the globe. Rotary showcase allows us to log on our projects, the number of man-hours spent on the project, the value of goods supplied, etc thereby allowing us to track the worldwide impact we make for the good of our communities. The application connects directly with Facebook to broadcast Club accomplishments globally with a simple click of a button.  I want to encourage Clubs to take action by adding your service activities on Rotary Showcase by sharing this information and visit www.rotary.org/showcase. I trust that you would enjoy this new and exciting way to promote your projects and learning about the wonderful work of our organisation on a global perspective.

Finally we have Rotary Club Central which is an administrative tool that updates club and club officer information.

Rotary provides each one of us with an opportunity to showcase our vocation through our volunteerism. Wear that pin with pride because it is in that pin that people with whom we interact know that we will deliver. Perhaps PRIP Robert Bath put it best when he said:

I wear this Rotary pin because

You can rely on me

I am dependable

I am reliable

I give more than I take

I add value 

 Are you proud of your Rotary pin?

 

Natty Moodley

October 2013

Rotary’s new website

Rotary International launched it’s new brand strategy last month with the new enhanced RI logo. It certainly looks fresh and cleaner and this strategy has been carried forward into the new redesigned Rotary website. A few days ago I had the privilege of attending a webinar on the new Rotary website on how to move within the site. The site is essentially split into two. One is for Rotarians or our members and the other is for the general public. Rotarians will have varied access to information dependent on their specific area of responsibility within the club, District or Rotary International.

The general public would be able to access Rotary’s brand and programmes and the home page speaks to the greater audience on our image and principles