On November 5th, PP Derrick, (Chair of our Foundation Committee) provided an overview of the work of the Rotary Foundation as part of our club's acknowledgement of November being Rotary Foundation Month. Derrick reminded us that the mission of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.
He reminded us that the Foundation now has seven main areas of focus: "Promoting Peace", "Fighting Disease", "Providing Clean Water", "Saving Mothers and Children", "Supporting Education", "Growing Local Communities", and the new focus this year, "Supporting the Environment". Last year the Maryborough Rotary Club and its Members contributed $14,803 to the Rotary Foundation: Annual Club Donation - $4,000, Five Paul Harris Recognitions - $7,700, Member Personal Donations including Centurions - $3,103, plus a number of members regularly donate direct to the Foundation. Derrick reminded us that because of Covid-19, this year we are not having regular dinner meetings, therefore we are not contributing our $2.00 via our dinner fees to our Centurion contribution. So Derrick urged all members to consider donating $100.00 to the Foundation as a Centurion Member, and to make The Rotary Foundation their charity of choice.