Let’s shore up our Annual Fund
The Rotary year gone by has been like no other that we have seen in our lifetime. The world is facing the Covid pandemic, many precious lives have been lost and till an effective vaccine is developed, we must all be careful, follow guidelines and stay safe.
Notwithstanding the troubled times, the new district leadership has motivated their respective club presidents and Rotarians to contribute generously to our Rotary Foundation.
In 2019–20, districts in the four Zones contributed in excess of $22 million, with India contributing just over $20 million, retaining the No 2 position in the world. Equally important, seven of our districts are among the top 50 districts in TRF contribution. This is truly commendable and worthy of high praise.
This Rotary year will be equally challenging. But, in the words of Seneca the Younger, “Man is affected not by events but by the view he takes of them.” Challenges strengthen the mind as labour does the body! We in Rotary have learned to adapt to the ‘new normal’ brought on by an unseen entity, this deadly virus.
I trust that you are aware of the changes brought about by the pressure on our World Fund. And while I am generally pleased with our total contributions in 2019–20, I am disappointed with our contribution to Annual Fund (AF), and hope this year we will shore up the AF. Only then will the World Fund increase and so will DDF.
That’s why TRF seeks giving from every Rotarian; every rupee counts and no contribution is too small. One of my favourite quotes: “If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.”
In our zones, we habitually make contributions towards the end of the Rotary year. This puts immense pressure on the RISAO staff. Let’s begin contributions to TRF from now itself.
Rotary opens opportunities for all those who reach out for our helping hand. But TRF can only help them all with your generous contributions. Stay safe, stay well.
Gulam A Vahanvaty
Trustee, The Rotary Foundation
