Rotarian News

Rotarians - People OF Action

 A special report prepared for Rotary International by the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies estimated the value of Rotary member volunteer hours at $850 million a year.

Rotary and the Gates Foundation extend funding match for polio eradication

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Rotary and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced on 22 January that their long-term fundraising partnership, which generates up to $150 million annually for polio eradication, will continue. Under the agreement, Rotary is committed to raising $50 million a year over the next three years, and each dollar will be matched with an additional two dollars by the Gates Foundation.

In a video address at the 2020 Rotary International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, Bill Gates told incoming district governors that the partnership with Rotary needs to continue.

“The Gates Foundation’s longstanding partnership with Rotary has been vital to fighting polio,” Gates said. “That’s why we’re extending our funding match, so every dollar that Rotary raises is met with two more.”

He added, “I believe that together, we can make eradication a reality.”

The funding will support polio eradication efforts such as disease surveillance, technical assistance, and operational support for immunization activities.

The partnership between Rotary and the Gates Foundation has yielded $2 billion, and Rotarians have given countless volunteer hours to fight polio since Rotary started its PolioPlus program in 1985.

Be a part of the fight to end polio and have your donation matched 2-to-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Visit endpolio.org to learn more and donate.

Amigos Rotarians in Ethiopia for Service Work with Rotarians from West Allis and Menomonee Falls

Amigos Rotarians Frey Faris and Dorothy Krupa were recently in Frey's home country of Ethiopia for a service mission that included a Rotarian from the West Allis Club and another from the Menomonee Falls Club.  We will report more information as they come off of their jet lag and share with the club.
 
 

Rotary International News

Rotary Foundation receives highest rating from Charity Navigator for 12th consecutive year

For the 12th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating — four stars — from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S.

The Foundation earned the recognition for demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. Only one percent of the organizations Charity Navigator evaluates have received 12 consecutive 4-star evaluations.

"Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that The Rotary Foundation exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in your area of work", says Michael Thatcher, president and chief executive officer of Charity Navigator. "This exceptional designation sets the Foundation apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness."

The rating reflects Charity Navigator's assessment of how the Foundation uses donations, sustains its programs and services, and practices good governance and openness.

New TRF Grant - Programs of scale grants coming soon

Programs of scale grants are a new type of grant from The Rotary Foundation. The Foundation will award one grant to a club or district each year in a competitive, two-step process that includes a proposal and application. The process begins in January, and the Foundation Trustees will award the first grant at their October/November 2020 meeting.

These grants support activities that last three to five years, benefit a large geographic area or a large number of people, and are aligned with one or more of Rotary’s areas of focus. The grant award is $2 million. No additional Rotarian funding is required. However it is anticipated that Rotarians will leverage additional resources from partnering organizations. These grants don’t require an international Rotary partner, but the activities must be implemented by working with a partner organization. They will fund only activities that have been used successfully in the past. New or untested activities aren’t eligible. Send questions to grants@rotary.org.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Articles in January / February issue of Milwaukee Ethnic News list over 20 ethnic events and involve these groups:

German, Jewish, African American, Welsh, Filipino, Armenian,  Mexican, French, Caribbean, Filipino, African, English, Indian, Southeast Asian, Croatian, Italian, Irish, Chinese, Ukrainian, American Indian, Latino, Kashubian, Quaker, International, and more

Amigos Rotarians Attended Various Rotary Conferences, Conventions, and Trainings

  • Amigos Rotarians Frey Faris and Dorothy Krupa participated in a service trip with Rotarians from West Allis Rotary and Menomonee Falls Rotary in October.
  • Representing Amigos Rotary, Marta Carrion and Angela Rester attended the District 6270 Rotary Foundation Celebration in West Bend, WI
  • District Membership Seminar at MATC Mequon was attended by Amigos Rotarians President Edwin Nyakoe Nyasani, President-Elect Daniele Calasanzio, and Past-President Angela Rester
  • Amigos Rotarians Erik Carranza, Marta Carrion, Daniele Calasanzio, Angela Rester, and Edwin Nyakoe Nyasani attended the District Training held at MATC Oak Creek
  • President Angie attended the Rotary District 6270 Changing of the Guard ending District Governor Kola Alayande's year and welcoming in District Governor Steen Sanderhoff.
  • President-Elect Edwin Nyakoe Nyasani was sponsored by the Amigos Rotary Club to attend the DualConn District Conference held in May in Wisconsin.  He got lots of great ideas for the club and our membership that will unfold in his year beginning July 1. Photo of the Nigerian delegation at the DualConn is below.
  • Amigos Rotarians Angela Rester and Dorothy Krupa attended the Rotary International Convention in Hamburg, Germany where they met up with former Amigo Rotarians Cecilia Rebuffo and Gustavo de Arriba. Amigos attendees for the Convention are not sponsored or underwritten.  More will be shared on the experience and learnings at a future meeting.  This was Angie's 8th convention and Dorothy's first. The first picture is meeting up with District 6270 Governor Kola Alayande and Past RI Director Mike McCullough. The second photo is of the current RI President Barry Rassin - Bahamas and RI President-Elect Holger Knaack - Germany presenting their flags and yes, that is Cecilia and Dorothy in the front row. The next photo is preparing for a group photo of all who attended from District 6270 and the last photo is Angie, Gustavo, Michel (Cecilia's husband and the founder of the Milwaukee Rotary Club Rotaract Club)
  • President-Nominee Daniele Calasanzio, President-Elect Edwin Nyakoe Nyasani, and Board Director Public Relations/Social Media Marta Carrion participated in the District Grant Seminar to support our club submission for a local project.  We hope to learn in the next month if we qualified for that grant related to food, nutrition, and growing food.
  • Amigos Rotarians Frey Faris and Daniele Calasanzio attended the June 22 Outdoor Festival Celebrating Our Refugee Communities. The last photo is Kai, Frey, Daniele, and Dawn (who was a guest at last week's Rotary meeting).

Rotary Curious??

What Does it Take in Time?  
  • One in-person meeting per month
What's Expected of Me?
  • To represent your vocation and help us know about you and that vocation.
  • Be a person of high ethical standards.
  • Give some of your time to Service in the Greater Milwaukee community and / or internationally.
  • Share Rotary and the opportunity to make a difference in the world with your Rotary Family in ways you could not individually.
  • Have Fun and WANT to see your Rotary club members because you miss them when you don't.
 
Did you know that Rotary does not require weekly attendance even though we generally meet weekly?

  • Did you know that our project and volunteer service counts as attendance?

  • Did you know that you can do a Rotary make-up by attending another club meeting OR by going on-line and read several "programs" and then apply for a make-up?  Use these links to get started.

  • Rotary e club One - the original - /www.rotaryeclubone.org

  • Rotary Club of E-Club of the Southwest USA - https://www.recswusa.org

     
     
    • Have you joined a Fellowship yet? 
    • Don't know what they are? Awesome way to connect Internationally and locally with other Rotarians who share your interests or hobbies.
    Rotary Fellowships are independent, social groups that share a common passion. Being part of a fellowship is a fun way to make friends around the world.
    How do I join a fellowship?

    Fellowships are open to Rotarians, family members, and program participants and alumni. You can contact a fellowship directly by using the information listed in the Rotary Fellowships directory. Or search our discussion groups to find Rotary and Rotaract members with similar interests.

    How do I form a fellowship?

    Start by finding others who share you interest.

    Be sure you meet the criteria for a fellowship and apply for official recognition.

    Explore our fellowships:

    Interested in a particular subject? Visit the group's website or email it to learn more.

    Did you know that our District now has a new Fellowship?  Rotary Means Business - this was taken from the District 6270 home page - 

    "District 6270 has now officially become the first Rotary district in Wisconsin to be chartered under the Rotary Means Business Fellowship. Rotary Means Business encourages Rotarians to support the success of their fellow Rotarians by doing business with them, and by referring others to them. I am of the firm belief that the most honorable people to transact business with are people who abide by the 4 Way Test. So, to launch the Rotary Means Business Fellowship, we are planning an event that will be announced soon where Rotarians who are involved in business or interested in business can come to socialize and learn more about how to join the fellowship. We are also working on an Electronic Business Directory (in PDF format) for all Rotarians involved in various businesses to be able to have their businesses listed so that other Rotarians can reach out to them to transact business or refer business to them."

    Rotarian and Cycling Fellowship member Angie Rester recently rode in the Penninsula Century Fall Challenge where she ran into the Rotarians from the Rotary Club Door County North who hosted one of the rest stops and fueling stations in the ride that starts and ends in Sister Bay.  Cycling Fellowship members are also able to purchase the Rotary and End Polio jerseys made just for the Fellowship.  Angie is available for presentations to clubs regarding Fellowships.  She serves as the District Fellowship Chair.  Click here to email her your request or questions. 

    • Are you interested in serving on the District Committee for Fellowships? Meetings will be telephonically so you can join the committee from any place in the District. 
     
     

      Rotary International Convention 2020 in Honolulu, Hawaii - June 6 - 10

      PDG and Amigos President Angela Rester and Past Amigos President will attend. Let her know if you wish to go to consider shared apartment in Honolulu. 

      WHY ATTEND?

      Unforgettable moments are made at the convention, a place where the Rotary spirit fills the air with a level of energy and enthusiasm you can’t find anywhere else. This is the event where we unite and take action to create true and lasting change in the world.

      Angie has attended multiple conventions starting in Nice, France in 1995; Indianapolis, Indiana; Singapore, Singapore; San Antonio, Texas; Chicago, IL; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Montreal, Canada. 

      PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

      Make new friends or connect with old ones while you explore the House of Friendship with your fellow Rotarians. With so much to see and endless things to do, the Rotary Convention is sure to be an experience you won’t want to miss.

       

       

      Rotary Curious??

      • Did you know that Rotary does not require weekly attendance even though we generally meet weekly?

      • Did you know that our project and volunteer service counts as attendance?

      • Did you know that you can do a Rotary make-up by attending another club meeting OR by going on-line and read several "programs" and then apply for a make-up?  Use these links to get started.

      • Rotary e club One - the original - /www.rotaryeclubone.org

      • Rotary Club of E-Club of the Southwest USA - https://www.recswusa.org/

       

      Rotary Curious? 

      What Does it Take in Time?  
      • One in-person meeting per month
      What's Expected of Me?
      • To represent your vocation and help us know about you and that vocation.
      • Be a person of high ethical standards.
      • Give some of your time to Service in the Greater Milwaukee community and / or internationally.
      • Share Rotary and the opportunity to make a difference in the world with your Rotary Family in ways you could not individually.
      • Have Fun and WANT to see your Rotary club members because you miss them when you don't.