One-to-One
Individually we may not be able to do much to make our world better. But through our Rotary Foundation we can do much. One of the greatest opportunities for Rotarians to work for peace is through The Rotary Foundation. Peace is not just the absence of war, but it is also a quality of life.
I believe in 3-Bs that are necessary for peace — Bread, Bed and Basic education. Our Rotary Foundation helps to provide food and water for the hungry and thirsty, shelter for the homeless and education and learning for the uneducated.
November is The Rotary Foundation Month — a time for relearning and rededication to the Foundation and its many worthwhile programmes; a time to focus our attention on the pillar which gives real internationality to Rotary. From a tiny beginning in the mind and heart of Arch Klumph as an Endowment Fund “for doing good in the world” today it has evolved into one of the foremost agencies of humanitarian service — a foundation which is respected, transparent, increasingly more agile and one of the best managed charities in the world with Four-Star Rating given by Charity Navigator. Over the years districts of our zones have actively participated in Foundation programmes — whether it is sending some of the best VTTs abroad or magnifying our service efforts through humanitarian grants. And of course, we are committed to polio eradication. District grants have ensured that the benefits reach a broader cross-section of clubs. And we are ranked Number 2 in Foundation giving.
If Rotarians are the heart and soul of Rotary, TRF is its backbone. The opportunities that we have before us will, in many cases, be transformed into success stories, thanks to TRF.
It is important to know about EREY, the Every Rotarian Every Year initiative of TRF. Only when every Rotarian contributes every year to TRF can its stability and long-term health be ensured.
Experience the joy of giving to TRF. Know that your gift is going to make a difference in critical areas of hunger, health, literacy, water and polio eradication. Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best: “To know that even one life has breathed easier, because you have lived, is to have succeeded”. TRF is that power of one multiplied many times over. Taste the beauty of giving to TRF, I assure you, you will give again and again. Remember ‘What we do for ourselves dies with us; what we do for others remains and becomes immortal’. Keep giving to TRF to do good in our world.
Light the candle of giving and lead the way as Rotary connects the world.
Dr Bharat Pandya
RI Director, 2019-21
