International Services Update
The club’s international service committee has been busy organizing and implementing our plans for 2012-13. Our primary work will be in three areas:
1. Increasing club members' awareness of and interest in international services.
2. Implementing our eight (8) active international projects and identifying and initiating an interclub international project with Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo Rotary Clubs.
3. 3. Assisting the Youth Services Committee in its annual Rotary high school student exchanges.
Some new information for club members: “Future Vision” is the refined focus on Rotary International and Rotary Foundation Funding Priorities.
As you know, Rotary clubs serve communities around the world, each with unique concerns and needs. The clubs have continually adapted and improved the way they uniquely respond to those needs, taking on a broad range of service projects. The most successful and sustainable Rotary service tends to fall within one of the following six focal areas.
o Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
o Disease prevention and treatment
o Water and sanitation
o Maternal and child health
o Basic education and literacy
o Economic and community development
As of January 1, 2013, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation will recognize these six areas of focus as Rotary priorities. Simultaneously, it will work with clubs to support their efforts to identify and implement projects in these six focal areas. This renewed focus and commitment to “sustainability” is referred to as “Future Vision”. Rotary International’s commitment to make a difference, a sustainable difference for those in need of assistance. As you know, there are many stories of unmaintained water projects, school projects with books and materials but no sustainable plan for their use and a child’s ongoing learning, instances of terminated services after the funders leave, unmaintained new tractors without replacement parts. And the stories can go on. Rotary decided this had to end and we needed a new beginning focused on specific areas, sustainable support and grassroots planning and decision making.
And so, Rotary is refining our focus, working to assure that those in need have a key role in decision making about support they will receive, how it will be implemented and how it will be sustained. These have very exciting times in Rotary. Stay tuned for more updates on Future Vision and how we, Kingston Rotarians, participating in the future of Rotary International.
Local decisions and action
Over the past few months, members of your international committee have been meeting to organize and plan our work for 2012-13. WE ARE ON THE MOVE. Below are the eight (8) specific projects, project volunteer coordinator and funding allocated by the committee for the project. It is important to know that each one of these club members has made a commitment to “guide” the project for the year. Thank you one and all for your support and commitment to our international work.
|
Project |
Coordination |
Allocation |
|
Acercandonos (Arequipa) |
Sally Christy |
$300 |
|
Arequipa Children’s Ed |
Gene Medina |
$400 |
|
Bottle School |
Bill Maule |
$1000 |
|
Clear Path International |
Fredrick Branchflower |
$400 |
|
Hamar Project |
Bill Maule |
$1000 |
|
Kick It Kenya |
Michelle Fujii |
$200 |
|
Laos Literacy |
Fredrick Branchflower |
$400 |
|
Wheelchair Program |
Bob Winkel |
$600 |
|
Interclub Partnerships |
Gene Medina |
$2000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total allocation* |
|
$6300 |
Over the coming months we will feature each of these projects in our newsletter to help keep you abreast of our international work and commitment to Rotary International’s Future Vision and our support for those in need in other nations. Additionally, we will establish a process of identifying and selecting international projects for our local funding. We will keep you posted.