District 7600 (Central & Southeastern VA) Rotary Foundation Newsletter

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Sophie Allen
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Bajat Rotary International Vice President 2011-12 It is a great honor for me to share with you some thoughts about what I call the Crown Jewel of Rotary International, The Rotary Foundation.

It was Arch Klumph, the 6 th President of Rotary International who urged Rotarians to establish a foundation for doing good in the world.

Here are some significant events in the Rotary Foundation s history: 1948 First Ambassadorial Scholarships 1978 3-H grants 1996 Rotary Peace Centers 1965 Group Study Exchange 1985 PolioPlus 2002

When I think and speak of Our Foundation and Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee s theme, Reach Within to Embrace Humanity, it automatically turns on a light to Rotary s fourth avenue of

International service provides all of us the opportunity to help meet human needs worldwide and gives a sense of great satisfaction and fulfillment.

1 DOING GOOD IN THE WORLD September 2011 Features District 7600 (Central & Southeastern VA) Rotary Foundation Newsletter Bill Pollard, District Rotary Foundation Chair Jim Bynum, District Governor The Crown Jewel of Rotary International By Noel A. Bajat Rotary International Vice President It is a great honor for me to share with you some thoughts about what I call the Crown Jewel of Rotary International, The Rotary Foundation. This year, The Rotary Foundation celebrates 94 years of service to mankind. It was Arch Klumph, the 6 th President of Rotary International who urged Rotarians to establish a foundation for doing good in the world. But it was 30 years later at the death of our founder, Paul Harris that the Rotary Foundation became a reality. Here are some significant events in the Rotary Foundation s history: 1948 First Ambassadorial Scholarships H grants 1996 Rotary Peace Centers 1965 Group Study Exchange 1985 PolioPlus 2002 District Simplified Grants 2010 Future Vision Plan Rotarians have always generously supported these programs. When I think and speak of Our Foundation and Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee s theme, Reach Within to Embrace Humanity, it automatically turns on a light to Rotary s fourth avenue of service, International Service. International Service encourages Rotarians to think globally and to use their resources to work for international understanding, goodwill and peace. International service provides all of us the opportunity to help meet human needs worldwide and gives a sense of great satisfaction and fulfillment. In this article, I want to talk about the Rotary Foundation, our world, and dreams of what we can accomplish as the Rotary community through our Rotary clubs, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. Picture, if you will, the earth as it is in space a blue jewel shining against the infinite darkness. Now, think of what it actually is. To me it s our home a home with majestic mountains and awe inspiring oceans, with great forests and vast deserts, and with mighty rivers and tiny streams. We make our homes in big cities and small towns in remote areas and on distant farms. This is our world today but, because it is changing so quickly, we can only wonder - what will the world be like for our children and our children s children? See Crown Jewel, page 2 A Message from Foundation Trustee Chair and Past RI President Bill Boyd Your Foundation newsletters tell the story of a district that understands both how to give to our Rotary Foundation and how to participate in the programs. We achieve so much through Rotary and the concepts that we express like bringing good to the world are much more than words. We truly do make a difference. I hope that every one of you appreciates that this is not just The Rotary Foundation but is our Rotary Foundation and we all own it. Please continue your support for the greatness of our Foundation is determined not by the Trustees but by you. My best wishes to you all, Bill. Bill Boyd

FEATURES Rotary International District 7600 September 2011, Page 2 Ed Futa Set To Headline District Conference Ed Futa will be RI President Kalyan Banerjee s Representative to the District 7600

2 FEATURES Rotary International District 7600 September 2011, Page 2 Ed Futa Set To Headline District Conference Ed Futa will be RI President Kalyan Banerjee s Representative to the District 7600 Conference from October at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa/Short Pump. On June 30, 2011 Ed retired as the General Secretary of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. After joining the Rotary Club of East Honolulu, Hawaii in 1979, he served as District Governor, Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, and Council on Legislation representative. He joined the RI staff as manager of strategic planning and, later, chief information officer, He became General Secretary in During his final address as General Secretary at the RI convention in New Orleans, Ed said that, I will go back to my first Rotary job, which was and still is the most important job in all of Rotary: the job of being a Rotarian. Register now for the District Conference as Governor Jim and his conference committee are planning a fun and informative conference where we will be Celebrating with the Stars. Crown Jewel, continued from page 1 But, why is it that we, as Rotarians must ask ourselves this question one that we cannot answer with any degree of certainty. We ask it because we care. Our Foundation cares. We care about other people whether we know them personally or simply as fellow human beings who we may never meet. This is the reason we give to The Rotary Foundation we care. We care about our communities the communities in which we live and all those many millions of other communities that make up our global village. This is the internationality of Rotary and The Rotary Foundation. We care about the world in which we live its trees, plants and animals, its lakes, rivers and streams and its people, who, after all, are just like us. Like the rays of a beautiful rainbow, the world is comprised of many caring people, just like us. We care about our world today and we care just as deeply about its future. You and I care, The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International cares and this is one reason why I am so proud to be a Rotarian. We continue to be Rotarians because we care. We practice Service Above Self. We care about the ideals and goals of Rotary and The Rotary Foundation. We care about promoting world peace and goodwill. We care about helping children who are starving, who can be saved from polio. We care about helping families obtain the bare essentials for a decent life and we care about Rotary s ability to make a difference in peoples lives. When a Rotarian asks me why I give to The Rotary Foundation, I like to apply why I give to the annual programs fund or PolioPlus to the Four Way Test. First Is it the Truth? - The truth is that annual giving is the enabling component of the Foundation s programs. Without annual giving, there would be no fuel to run the programs of the Rotary Foundation. There would be no Ambassadorial Scholarships, no Group Study Exchanges, no Matching Grants Individual giving is the key ingredient. Second Is it Fair to all Concerned? - The Annual Giving Program is structured in such a way that every penny is spent on programs. The interest earned on the investments pays the administrative expenses. I don t know of another Foundation that can say this. So, is it fair You bet it is! Third Will it build Goodwill and better Friendships? - The stated mission of the Rotary Foundation is to achieve world understanding and peace though International Humanitarian, Educational and Cultural Programs. These are our ways of Building goodwill and Friendships. Fourth Is it beneficial to all Concerned? - It only takes one encounter with an Ambassadorial Scholar, a GSE Team, a recipient of a matching grant, or saving a child from polio to appreciate just how much good is achieved by Our Rotary Foundation. Everyone benefits Participants, Recipients and the Individual Contributor. Our Rotary Foundation, the Crown Jewel of Rotary International - it makes me proud to be a Rotarian and why I contribute Every Year. Rotary International Vice President Noel Bajat is a member of the Rotary Club of Abbeville, Louisiana. He is a member of the International PolioPlus Committee and has served Rotary as a Permanent Fund national adviser and regional Rotary Foundation coordinator. Noel is a recipient of the Foundation s Distinguished Service Award. He and his wife, Sis, are Major Donors, Benefactors, and charter members of the Bequest Society. In 2007 Noel served as the President s Representative to the District 7600 conference in Hampton, VA.

FEATURES Rotary International District 7600 September 2011, Page 3 GSE Team from District 3620 in Korea Arrives September 18 th In

The team is scheduled to arrive at Richmond International Airport on September 18 th and will leave on October 17 th.

Past District Governor 2002-03. Sells Korean food to Asian countries.

She is an Assistant Administrator for Citizens Opening the World for Welfare He is a Lotus Domino/Notes programmer and working on

clubs and schedule including the club meeting day if you wish to meet the team and enjoy their presentation.

Club breakfast meeting Tues Sept 20 September 23-27 Virginia Peninsula RC and Newport News RC.

Club dinner meeting Thu Sept 29 October 1-5 Blackstone RC. Club dinner meeting Mon Oct 3 October 5-9 South Hill RC.

3 FEATURES Rotary International District 7600 September 2011, Page 3 GSE Team from District 3620 in Korea Arrives September 18 th In our Group Study Exchange partner is District 3620 in South Korea. District 3620 is located just outside the city of Seoul. The team is scheduled to arrive at Richmond International Airport on September 18 th and will leave on October 17 th. The team members are: Young Ho Lee Dong Woo Chae Ji-In Kim Jin Young Kim Sung Hoon Oh He is the Rotarian team leader. Past District Governor Sells Korean food to Asian countries. He is an administrator at Hoseo University and likes to play musical instruments She works for the Korea Consumer Affairs Institute She is an Assistant Administrator for Citizens Opening the World for Welfare He is a Lotus Domino/Notes programmer and working on developing and managing Groupware Young Ho Lee Dong Woo Chae Jin-In Kim Jin Young Kim Sung Hoon Oh Provided below are the host clubs and schedule including the club meeting day if you wish to meet the team and enjoy their presentation. September 18 Team arrives to Richmond International Airport September Midlothian RC. Club breakfast meeting Tues Sept 20 September Virginia Peninsula RC and Newport News RC. Newport News RC lunch meeting Tues Sept 27 September 27-October 1 Exmore RC. Club dinner meeting Thu Sept 29 October 1-5 Blackstone RC. Club dinner meeting Mon Oct 3 October 5-9 South Hill RC. Club dinner meeting Thu Oct 6 October 9-14 Innsbrook RC. Club breakfast meeting Thu 13 October October 17 District Conference at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa/Short Pump Team departs from Richmond International Airport Jack Jaeger of the Innsbrook RC is the GSE Inbound Chair (jjaeger@datacontrolllc.com) and Beth Noakes also of the Innsbrook club is the Co-chair (CNoakes@aol.com).

FEATURES Rotary International District 7600 September 2011, Page 4 Foundation Workshop Highlights We had a fun and informative Foundation Workshop on Saturday August 13 th at Historic Triangle

Approximately 100 Rotarians attended the workshop to help us Reach Within to Embrace Humanity as we participate in Foundation programs and support Foundation funds in 2011-12.

The workshop kicked off with opening comments from Governor Jim Bynum and a presentation by District Foundation Chair Bill Pollard who was decked out again in his blue and white checked Foundation

The first half of the workshop focused on the Foundation programs with presentations made on Matching Grants (Bill Liepis), District Simplified Grants (Bill Pollard), Ambassadorial Scholarships

After a break to enjoy more fellowship and eat more donuts the second session highlighted the Foundation funds with presentations on Polio (PDG Jerry Fields), Annual Programs Fund (Ken Frantz), Paul

PDG Bob Preston gave an update on the Future Vision Plan followed by a Triple Crown promotion by PDG Karlis Graubics.

Foundation Alumni and Ambassadorial Scholar Junaid Ahmad sponsored by the Norfolk RC shared his experience as a scholar in South Africa.

4 FEATURES Rotary International District 7600 September 2011, Page 4 Foundation Workshop Highlights We had a fun and informative Foundation Workshop on Saturday August 13 th at Historic Triangle Community Services Center in Williamsburg. Approximately 100 Rotarians attended the workshop to help us Reach Within to Embrace Humanity as we participate in Foundation programs and support Foundation funds in Prior to the start of the three hour workshop at 9 am, Rotarians enjoyed fellowship, coffee, and an assortment of Dunkin Donuts. The workshop kicked off with opening comments from Governor Jim Bynum and a presentation by District Foundation Chair Bill Pollard who was decked out again in his blue and white checked Foundation shorts. The first half of the workshop focused on the Foundation programs with presentations made on Matching Grants (Bill Liepis), District Simplified Grants (Bill Pollard), Ambassadorial Scholarships (Julie Keesling), Peace Fellows (Mike Little), Group Study Exchange (Bill Pollard), and Foundation Alumni (Jane Preston). After a break to enjoy more fellowship and eat more donuts the second session highlighted the Foundation funds with presentations on Polio (PDG Jerry Fields), Annual Programs Fund (Ken Frantz), Paul Harris Society (DGN Chuck Arnason), and Permanent Fund (Bill Billings and Larry Saint). PDG Bob Preston gave an update on the Future Vision Plan followed by a Triple Crown promotion by PDG Karlis Graubics. Zone 33 Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator PDG Joe Mulkerrin also made a few remarks. Foundation Alumni and Ambassadorial Scholar Junaid Ahmad sponsored by the Norfolk RC shared his experience as a scholar in South Africa. We were also joined by our two Ambassadorial Scholar candidates for the Rotary year: Glenn Carter sponsored by The Historic Triangle RC and Aisha Johnson sponsored by Bon Air RC. A few of our Rotary friends from District 7610 attended the workshop: PDG Sandy Duckworth, PDG and immediate Past District Foundation Chair Travis White, and District Governor-nominee Juanita Cawley and her husband Bill. During the workshop Ken Frantz, the District Annual Programs Fund chair, presented the Paul Harris Cup to District 7610 for achieving per capita giving to the Annual Programs Fund in of $203 compared to $167 for District Before ending the workshop, PDG and District Foundation Chair Bill Pollard played an inspirational video on YouTube from Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) titled Rotary Make a World of Difference. The workshop ended at noon with a few donuts left and Governor Jim trying to auction off Bill s shorts for the Foundation! Everyone left enthusiastic about supporting The Rotary Foundation. A membership seminar followed the Foundation Workshop. Bill Pollard and Brandermill President Don Vaught. Who has the coolest shorts? Ken Frantz presents the Paul Harris Cup to Travis White of District 7610 District Governor-nominee Chuck Arnason promotes the Paul Harris Society This was the first district event held in the assembly room at the Historic Triangle Community Services Center in Williamsburg where our District office is now located along with other non-profits. What happens when you mix the DNA of Morgan Freeman and Danny Devito? District Foundation Chair Bill used this slide to introduce Governor Jim Rotarians enjoyed fellowship, donuts, coffee, and The Rotary Foundation

FEATURES Rotary International District 7600 September 2011, Page 5 Update from Peace Fellow Bianca Neff Having finished my Conflict Resolution courses at Bradford in May, I participated in a Peace

5 FEATURES Rotary International District 7600 September 2011, Page 5 Update from Peace Fellow Bianca Neff Having finished my Conflict Resolution courses at Bradford in May, I participated in a Peace Studies department sponsored 10-day study trip to Northern Ireland. Immediately after the study trip, I left for Geneva for a 2-part internship. The first part was an intensive one-week course through the Geneva Summer Program out of Duke University s Sanford School of Public Policy. Going through this program allowed me to participate in a week-long seminar on Environment & Sustainable Development; it also gave me access to Duke s internship coordinator, through whom I was able to land an internship at UN Headquarters in Geneva, where I am working for UN-OCHA (the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs). This 3-part field experience 1) Northern Ireland, 2) Duke Geneva Summer Program and 3) UN internship at OCHA has kept me busy indeed! On May 31, our group of 23 students piled into 2 mini-buses and left Bradford for a 10-day study trip to Northern Ireland. We spent time in Belfast, Derry/Londonderry and Corrymeela. Some of the most interesting moments were during walking tours of both cities by both pro-republican and pro-unionist tour groups it was very interesting to get both sides of the story from these tour guides (including two former IRA members). It would be impossible to recount all that I learned from the places we visited and the people we spoke with. One thing I can say, however, is that it was much more than an academic trip for me. Because of my own ethnic heritage and being tied to a region whose history has some similarities with that of Northern Ireland, it took on a very personal tone. One moment stands indelibly imprinted on my mind, where after hearing an elderly tour guide (former IRA member) give an impassioned monologue about his undying enmity for Margaret Thatcher while we stood at the Hunger Strikers Memorial in Derry, this 70-something-year old man ended his vitriolic talk and abruptly walked away carrying with him the same bitterness he has had all his life. What I saw in this old man affected me profoundly. I could see the years of pain, angst, violence and struggle in the creases on his face. The other tourists started milling around and chatting once he finished his talk and left us...but my feet were rooted to the ground and I was unable to move; I stared after him as he walked away until he disappeared, tears rolling down my face (even now I get emotional recalling the situation...). Why was I so deeply affected? Because I recognized myself in parts of his uncompromising, radical approach...and it terrified me. He had been very close to the hunger strikers of the famous 1981 Hunger Strike, toward whom I m quite sympathetic. I should disclose that I m generally sympathetic to the Republican cause, even more so now after learning about the N. Ireland conflict on location. But for me, the years following a peace agreement should be accompanied by attempts to fundamentally change the way that communities relate to one another yet here was a man who remained stuck in the past, despite all the progress made since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. The years of peace since 1998 had not changed him, and it was heartbreaking. I was honestly surprised and dismayed at how often I witnessed similar attitudes from both sides. This isn t to say we didn t meet people who were sticking their necks out in their communities for peace there were a good many, who were indeed inspiring. But hearing the stories from the mouths of people who lived the conflict and who were still struggling to come to terms with all that it meant for them and their communities, even today 13 years later, was sobering. I am more motivated after this trip to challenge the voices of those who consistently choose dissention and rancor over peace and reconciliation. For me it was a fruitful but very intense trip. Future: Having submitted my Spanish citizenship papers, I m awaiting news from the Spanish consulate in the UK. I m hoping it will come through before graduation so that I can apply for European-based jobs and/or PhDs. I m interested in the job at the Zurich mediation center; I will also start looking into PhDs in Barcelona, Bilbao (Spain), Derry (N. Ireland) and Bradford. I ve always got my eye out for jobs back in Central Asia. I do plan to be back there eventually, but I also feel I need practical experience in mediation in a western setting first so I d like to pursue the Zurich post to see what happens. The next few months will be busy back in Bradford as the 10 of us Peace Fellows work on our final thesis projects and plan the 2011 Peace Seminar in October, but I look forward to giving an update later on. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of Class IX at Bradford s Rotary Peace Center! Bianca is in her second year attending the Rotary Peace Center at the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom. She is the daughter of a Basque mother (Spain) and an American father. She has been active in global humanitarian work for over 15 years. Bianca s parents live in Spain. Her hometown is Virginia Beach, VA. She was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Great Bridge. Bianca is the second Peace Fellow from District Our first Peace Fellow was Amy Kay from Virginia Beach who graduated in the first class of Peace Fellows ( ). Amy was also an Ambassadorial Scholar.

A bright pink Jeep Wrangler staffed with four midwives, races along uneven, dusty roads to reach more than 50 pregnant women in Darlegrand, a rural town two hours north of Hinche, Haiti.

Without the Jeep, many of the women would not receive proper medical attention.

6 A bright pink Jeep Wrangler staffed with four midwives, races along uneven, dusty roads to reach more than 50 pregnant women in Darlegrand, a rural town two hours north of Hinche, Haiti. The Jeep belongs to Midwives for Haiti, a nonprofit organization working to ensure that women in remote parts of the country have access to prenatal care and skilled birth attendants. Without the Jeep, many of the women would not receive proper medical attention. The Rotary Club of Western Henrico County with support from the Rotary Club of Bon Air, Rotary Club of Henrico North, Hermitage High School Interact club, Bon Secours Health Systems, and local individual donors, contributed a total of $70,000 to purchase the Jeep, customized for rugged terrain. More than $20,000 of that amount came from the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, a donor advised fund set up by The Rotary Foundation. Rotarians around the world are working to reduce maternal mortality rates and improve access to essential medical services for mothers and their children. All made possible through your contributions to the Annual Programs Fund. Doing good in Haiti Make your annual gift today.

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Mission Statement The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of