Submitted By: Keith Brokke, District Foundation ChairWe are closing in on the end of another Rotary year on June 30th. From all indications, our District 5580 membership is up for the year, with some clubs reporting 18 or 19 new members! But when we look at our giving numbers to Polio Plus and the Annual Fund, we are down by 30% as of May 29, 2018. I’m not comparing to May 2017, but rather to our year end numbers. Typically we’ve been at roughly $255,000 for the Annual Fund, whereas this year to date, we are currently at roughly $182,000. Regarding Polio Plus we average $110,000 in giving the past 5 years and this year to date, we are at $77,000.
I recall a few years back, when we had a RI President’s representative at our District Conference and she was concerned that we were down in our giving in early May of that year. I told her at the time that I was not concerned because D5580 always comes through in the end (and I was right). As your D5580 Foundation Chair, one part of my job is to be your club’s cheerleader and biggest supporter. If there is anything I can do to help with your fundraising, please get it touch with me.
The Rotary Foundation was founded over a century ago and exists today because we Rotarians have a long-term vision – our commitment to end Polio and our dedication to sustainable and measureable global grant projects are two great examples. While we may not see the results of our Rotary projects during a given Rotary year, the seed we plant today will be harvested as rich fruit in the years to follow.
Sharing Rotary,
Keith Brokke
D5580 Rotary Foundation Chair
218-371-9243