On behalf of the District Rotary Foundation Team, I hope that you and your families are doing well. Along with the challenges we have experienced this year largely due to COVID-19 and the winter storms, Rotarians have planned and carried out phenomenal acts of kindness to help our fellow human beings. In keeping with this spirit of serving others, our Team encourages Club leaders to review your club’s accomplishments and plans for the remainder of this Rotary year. We also urge Assistant District Governors to assist in this process, as appropriate. If a club has had to postpone normal fundraising events to support The Rotary Foundation (TRF), our Team encourages Club leaders to consider organizing and holding these events in a virtual format, even if they are on a smaller scale. The need for these funds is indeed great. Art Zeitler, Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator for Zone 25B and a portion of Zone 29, has informed us that as of 28 February 2021, our district contributions to TRF are down 18.9%.
The funds generated and then contributed to TRF, especially to the Annual Fund, are extremely important to help address not only global needs, but also needs within our district. Annual Fund contributions made this year Rotary year (2020-2021) will be invested by TRF for three years. Then, a significant portion of the dividends will be returned to our district in 2023-2024 to help us implement activities aimed at helping individuals in our communities, district, and beyond. These initiatives include district grants, global grants, scholarships, various training experiences, and other activities.
Please make every possible to conduct your Rotary Foundation events this Rotary year and to submit the funds generated to the TRF Annual Fund prior to 15 June 2021. Doing so will allow these contributions to be credited to your club this Rotary year.
Thank you very much for your consideration of this important request. Feel free to contact DG Eddie Bartnesky, DeeDee Arismendez, or me know if you have any questions or need any assistance. We will be glad to help in any way possible.
Best wishes,
Juan Lira
District Rotary Foundation Team
9456-744-6039