Rotary Program: 11/5/03

Program Chairperson: Marty Backus

Speaker: Carrie Cinnamond, Chairperson of Rotary Foundation Subcommittee

The Rotary Foundation is a separate organization from Rotary International, but serves as the means by which every Rotarian can support the humanitarian efforts of Rotary throughout the world. It is supported solely by contributions from Rotary members since the cost of administration is paid only from the interest earned on contributions, every penny is used toward the chosen projects that combat hunger, disease, poverty, and illiteracy. Group study exchange, academic ambassadorial scholarships, and other international programs promote peace, understanding and cultural diversity between all the countries in the world where Rotary Clubs have been established.

The Rotary Foundation was created in 1917, just after the Rotary International Convention ended that year, with the small sum of $26.50 given by a Kansas City Rotary Club. In 1947, the year that Rotary founder Paul Harris died, $1.4 million was rolled into the Foundation. There were 18 Foundation scholars (later to be called Paul Harris Fellows) enrolled at the time. Since that time the Foundation has grown to its present level of well over $ 240 million. In 1985, it was the goal of the Rotary Foundation to eradicate polio from the world and by 1988, the level of giving had reached a point that was thought to be sufficient to tackle such a daunting task. Since that time, Rotary International has announced that by 2005, there will be no polio left in the world and we are nearing the realization of that goal with India and Africa as the only places left where polio can be found. Carrie went on to recount how she got involved with the Foundation when she and her husband hosted the first group study exchange by the Pikeville club. The group was from England and that began a long and passionate involvement in the Foundation’s efforts. Since that time she has served as Rotary Club president and District Governor and now serves as Chairperson of the Rotary Foundation subcommittee in District 6740. Carrie also recognized other members of the Pikeville Rotary Club that have been very generous in their giving to the foundation and asked each of them to speak briefly about what the Foundation has meant to them. Jerry Kanney said that he appreciated the fact that the Foundation enables us as Rotarians to make an impact on so many causes in the world and said that he saw it as a way of giving back some of what he had been blessed with in life. Sima Sachdeva spoke of her involvement with the Foundation as one of the academic ambassadorial scholars that brought her to study in California. Chuck Chrisman stood and challenged each Rotarian to make a contribution to the Foundation on the anniversary of their induction to the club each year and to make it more than just the $ 26.50 that is suggested by Rotary International.

Carrie challenged us to be a part of the solution to the problems of pain, hunger, disease, war and poverty in the world by supporting the Rotary Foundation and its humanitarian projects. Thank you, Carrie for the informative and encouraging program. May the principles of Rotary govern the affairs of all people in the world to make it a better place to live. Submitted by J. Morgan Chapman.