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ARTICLE XI -- FOUNDATION COMMITTEE (Per Resolution No. 6, adopted at the May 2003 District Conference.)

The District Rotary Foundation Committee consists of a group of experienced and dedicated Rotarians who assist the District Governor in educating, motivating, and inspiring Rotarians to participate in Foundation programs and fundraising activities in the District. The District Rotary Foundation Chair plays a critical role in furthering The Rotary Foundation’s objective of world understanding and peace by reaching out to the clubs, sharing the Foundation’s important message, and helping to realize the Foundation’s goals. Under the District Governor’s leadership, the Chair works with the committee to plan, coordinate, and evaluate all district Foundation activities.

To be effective, the DRFC must have continuity of leadership; therefore, the DRFC chair will be appointed for a three-year term. The DRFC chair must have significant knowledge of, commitment to, and experience with Rotary Foundation activities. The District Foundation Committee consist of not less than eight (8) experienced Rotarians who have shown a commitment to the Foundation as demonstrated through program participation and financial contributions. Each member of the District Foundation Committee shall be a Sub-committee chair. No Sub-Committee chair shall serve as such for more than three years in succession. Sub-committees shall be as follows:

  1. Scholarships: The Scholarships Sub-committee is responsible for promoting and district participation in the Ambassadorial Scholarships, Rotary Grants for University Teachers, and the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution. The sub-committee focuses on four basic elements of each program: Promotion and Selection, Orientation, Hosting Scholars, and Alumni Outreach. The committee should include at least three members with preference given to those with club-level experience with the scholarship programs. Continuity of membership on this committee should be at least two Rotary years. Where practical, the sub-committee should include members with the ability to assess an applicant’s foreign language skills during the interview. Members are selected by the District Governor cooperatively with the District Governor-Elect, who serve as members of the sub committee. For selection of the candidate for the Rotary World Peace Scholarship, committee members should also include the Immediate Past District Governor, The Rotary Foundation Committee Chair, and Rotarians or non-Rotarians with expertise in the fields of peace and conflict resolution, education, and/or civic or business leadership. (Per Resolution No. 8, adopted at the May 2004 District Conference.)
  2. Group Study Exchange: The major responsibility of the GSE Sub-committee is to insure the success of the district’s participation in the program by assisting the Governor-Elect/Governor in applying for GSE awards and ensuring fulfillment of all program guidelines and requirements as stated in the Group Study Exchange Leaders’ Handbook (165-EN).In addition to the minimum recommended qualifications established in the District Leadership Plan for Sub-committees, preference should be given to those with club-level experience with the GSE program.
  3. Grants: The Grants Sub-committee is responsible for informing the clubs and district committees of possibilities for obtaining support for Foundation Grants such as Matching Grants, Individual Grants, and Health Hunger and Humanity (3-H) grants. As of July 1, 2003, the Grants Sub committee will be responsible for reviewing and certifying the accuracy of all humanitarian grant applications before the applications are submitted to the Rotary Foundation for funding. The Sub-Committee shall also be responsible for promoting, encouraging, educating and assisting clubs in the development of project proposals for district-sponsored grants (District Simplified Grants or DSG) The Sub-committee will select and approve District Simplified Grants. The committee will ensure that satisfactory progress and final reports are submitted to the Rotary Foundation. The Sub-committee also has the fiduciary responsibility in accounting for the use of all DSG monies. Failing to submit progress and final reports will prevent the district from receiving funding for subsequent DSG proposals. In addition to the minimum recommended qualifications established in the District Leadership Plan, preference should be given to individuals who have been directly involved with the successful implementation of an international service project that was supported by a Foundation grant. Preference may also be given to those who speak a second language with the ability to directly communicate with project partners and those with professional expertise in public health, international development or grant preparation.
  4. Annual Giving: The Annual Giving Sub-committee is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive and effective district program to achieve the district’s Annual Programs Fund giving goal. These efforts will have the primary objectives of
    • i. promoting the Foundation’s many successes to Rotarians and others.
    • ii. encouraging every Rotarian to make an annual contribution
    • iii. educating Rotarians on the Foundations operations and
    • iv. motivating Rotarians to participate in club and district-sponsored Foundation programs.
    • In addition to the minimum recommended qualifications established in the District Leadership Plan, professional expertise in fundraising, sales, marketing, public relations or a financial field is highly recommended. The committee should have at least 3 members and in general, Sub-committee members should be appointed for three-year, overlapping terms to provide continuity in planning and leadership.
  5. Foundation Information: The major responsibility of this Sub-committee is to design an educational network system that will build a greater awareness and understanding of the activities of the Rotary Foundation among Rotarians and keep them informed of new developments and success stories as they occur.
  6. Alumni: The major responsibility of this Sub-committee 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 established 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 Group Study Exchange Sub-committees.
  7. Permanent Fund: The Permanent Fund Sub-Committee is responsible for securing Benefactor commitments and Bequest Society members and soliciting major gifts from those capable individuals to build the Permanent Fund. In addition to the minimum recommended qualifications established in the District Leadership Plan, professional expertise in fundraising, sales, marketing, public relations or a financial field is highly recommended. This Sub-committee should have at least three members and should be appointed to three-year, overlapping terms to provide consistency in planning and leadership.
  8. PolioPlus: The District PolioPlus Sub-committee is responsible for supporting Rotary’s commitment to polio eradication and encouraging participation in PolioPlus activities by all Rotarians. Preference should be given to individuals with club-level experience with the PolioPlus program, and professionals in a relevant field, such as public health, marketing or transportation. Appointments of at least three Rotarians should be for staggered three year terms which will help ensure continuity.

Sub-committee Chair appointments should provide for continuity of membership and should include, insofar as possible, Rotarians with experience in the field of activity for the respective sub-committees (Per Resolution from April 1993 District Conference.)

Each Sub-Committee Chair will serve a three-year term, if possible.

Additional members of the Committee or Sub-committees may be appointed at the discretion of the District Governor. The duties of the Committee and the Sub-Committees shall be as set forth in the Rotary Foundation Manual and as directed by the District Governor. All committee members will be eligible for reappointment. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the District Governor and shall be for the remainder of the term of the member vacating membership.