November is Foundation Month and this Rotary year we are celebrating the 100th Anniversary of our Rotary Foundation.

During the past 100 years our Foundation has transformed the donations of Rotarians into amazing projects that have changed the lives of millions of people all around the world. Through our Foundation, Rotary members have supported thousands of projects to provide clean water, fight disease, promote peace, provide basic education, and grow local economies. We’ve also been a leader in the fight to eradicate polio worldwide.

At the 1917 Rotary Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, RI President Arch C. Klumph proposed that we set up an endowment fund to “do good in the world.” That endowment fund became the Rotary Foundation. That is a century of Rotarians changing lives and improving communities all over the world. In June of 2017 we will all be gathering in Atlanta, Georgia where it all began to celebrate this milestone. Have you registered for the conference? www.rotaryconvention2017.org. What plans does your Club have to celebrate our Foundation’s 100th birthday. Check out www.centennial.rotary.org for ideas and information.

There are lots of ways to be involved in our Foundation. You can become a sustaining member by making an annual gift of $100 USD or $2 a week. How about becoming a Paul Harris Society member by making a commitment of $1000 USD per year? Each time you achieve contributions of $1000 USD you receive a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of that milestone. When you achieve $10,000 USD you become a Major Donor. Give some consideration to including the Rotary Foundation in your estate planning by becoming a Bequest Society member. We have lots of easy ways for you to make a donation to our Foundation. In our District we have people to assist you with questions or you can call 1-866-9-ROTARY to set up Rotary direct or make a donation.

Bill and I are proud to be Rotarians with a Foundation that has such an impact on changing the lives of others. Thank-you for making our Rotary Foundation your charity of choice.