The Rotary Foundation

Alumni Committee

URGENT MESSAGE:

May 2012

Dear Rotary Alumnus,

In 2010, Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith, the first Rotary scholar alumnus to serve as president, challenged all Foundation alumni to contribute US$ 1 million in support of Rotary International’s Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation US$200 Million Challenge. Since, Foundation alumni have successfully raised US$836,629. You and your fellow alumni are close to completing this challenge. Please help by donating at www.rotary.org/endpolio.

In January, Rotary International met the US$200 Million Challenge. While this is a phenomenal achievement, it is only a milestone. Rotary’s true challenge is the certification of the eradication of polio- three years without a case of polio anywhere. We are so close to ending polio forever. Today, India is now classified as a non-endemic country; however, polio is an obstinate and contagious disease and failure to break the polio transmission cycle could lead to resurgence.

Polio is still endemic in Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and has re-established transmission in Angola, Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The annual cost for polio eradication efforts globally is over US$800 million. For the 2012-2013 calendar years, there is a US$1,090 billion funding gap. Rotary needs the support of its Foundation alumni to help close this funding gap.

Every US$60 donated to Rotary’s Polio Challenge will immunize 100 children against polio. Meeting alumni’s goal of US$ 1 million will immunize over 1.6 million children. Already, you have helped to fund the immunization of more than 1.3 million children. Please help your fellow alumni meet Rotary’s challenge and help protect over 300,000 more children from polio.

P.S. Over 30 internationally known personalities have participated in our “This Close” campaign to eradicate polio. Check them out at www.thisclose.net.

Who Are Foundation Alumni?

Anyone who receives a grant for a scholarship, an exchange or as a volunteer is an alumnus of a Rotary Foundation program.

• Group Study Exchange team leaders and team members
• Ambassadorial scholars - Read about one of our District 5110 Ambassadorial Scholarship Alumni: Ambassador Terence P. McCulley
• Rotary Peace Fellows
• Grants for University Teachers recipients
• Carl P. Miller Discovery grant recipients
• Rotary Volunteer Service grant recipients

Join the District 5110 Foundation Alumni Group on Facebook

The major responsibility of the Rotary Foundation Alumni subcommittee is to develop and/or maintain a complete, accurate, and updated district directory or database of foundation program participants and alumni sponsored by the district and/or residing in the district, and to advise The Rotary Foundation of any additions or changes to this database or directory. In addition to the minimum recommended qualifications recommended in the district leadership plan, preference should be given to individuals with club-level experience with the alumni program or district-level experience with the scholarships or GSE sub-committees (D5110 Policy Manual, Article XI, Section 2.f)

RY 2011-12 Objectives:

Each year, thousands participate in Rotary’s educational and youth programs, all known for fostering international understanding and friendship. But the experience doesn’t have to end when the program is over. Participants chose Rotary because of its commitment to world understanding. As alumni, they have an extended network of people who share a common bond. They'll always be part of the family of Rotary.

District 5110 Alumni Subcommittee Goals for RY 2011-12

• Update/complete D5110 alumni database
• Establish contact with all reachable alumni in D5110
• Form a D5110 alumni association as a networking opportunity for alumni and district Rotarians
• Coordinate with the DRFC to solicit alumni assistance with recruiting for TRF-funded programs (GSE, ambassadorial scholars, etc)
• Coordinate with the DRFC to educate clubs about alumni as potential new donors to TRF (especially those who are not Rotarians
• Coordinate with DMC to educate clubs about alumni as potential new members
• Encourage clubs to include alumni in club activities: club service projects, fundraisers, fellowship events
• Offer presentations about alumni program potential at the DTA
• Include an alumni event in the annual district conference program

References:

• The Rotary Foundation Alumni
• Rotarians and Alumni: Reaching Out
• Newsletter

About the list

The list is information for Zone 25 from The Rotary Foundation as of July 2008. It is being updated on an ongoing basis.

TRF Alumni Relations is a program within the Foundation to cultivate the continued participation of alumni in various ways

• to stay connected to Rotary
• to mentor
• to serve

The goals of the Alumni Relations program include the following

• to build life-long ties between Foundation program participants and Rotary
• to increase interest in Rotary membership
• to provide alumni a way give back to Rotary through service and financial support

There are many way Foundation programs alumni can stay involved:

• act as advocates for Foundation programs
• recruit program participants
• participate in inbound and outbound orientations
• act as advisors to District selection committee
• speak at club, district and other meetings
• host exchange program participants
• give to TRF Annual Programs Fund or Permanent Fund
• and much more

Foundation Alumni Resource Group

The overall goal of the Rotary Foundation Alumni Resource group is to encourage Rotary Clubs and districts to involve Foundation Alumni in Rotary activities; to urge clubs to consider Alumni as potential members of Rotary and as potential contributors to The Rotary Foundation. Further information on the Resource Group is found on the Rotary International website or by contacting the Zone 25 Alumni Coordinator Hal Kibby.

Membership of TRF Alumni in Rotary Clubs

Although Rotary clubs should not establish any special kinds of memberships or classifications for TRF alumni, they should actively recruit alumni as club members. Rotary clubs also should maintain contact with TRF alumni in their respective localities, and use the talents of such alumni, who are not yet qualified for membership or who have declined invitations for membership. (from ROTARY CODE OF POLICIES, May 2012)

TRF Alumni as Guests

Clubs are encouraged to welcome Rotary Foundation alumni as guests at their meetings, particularly alumni who have recently moved to the locality of the club. The alumni will be expected to pay the same costs of attendance as paid by visiting Rotarians. (from ROTARY CODE OF POLICIES, May 2012)

Committee Details: Alumni