Comments from General Coordinator Louis Piconi

I received the following note and share it with you in hopes you share it with all the leaders within the districts you are responsible for. The note provides the messages of why one of our goals for the year is to have every district form an alumni association:

Dear Colleagues,

District 7620 and the Rotary Club of Capitol Hill co-hosted another alumni get together at the Embassy of Bulgaria in Washington DC USA last Thursday. This is the third such function that has been held over the last 18 months and, once again, it was a resounding success. Rotary Foundation awardees represent the cream of the cream and the very best that countries have to offer. To have over 40 of them in one place was an amazing experience.

The Embassy is a wonderful venue for such an occasion and the Chef excelled with the most delicious Bulgarian canapes and sweets. We had a number of present and past district governors and other special guests including a number of Rotary Volunteers from District 7620 who have been involved in two quite remarkable service projects in Jordan and Mexico. But the best part was to observe the enthusiasm, passion and interaction of the scholars as they compared notes and exchanged experiences. These young - and some not so young - individuals are already making their mark on the world in diverse ways. They are leaders and committed to making a difference. I wish that many more Rotarians might have been able to witness the energy and excitement which these people demonstrated last Thursday.

A number of scholars expressed interest in reconnecting with Rotary. Several others, who were unable to be present, also want to be included in future alumni functions. I am hopeful that we will secure at least 6 new Rotarians as a result of this event

-which surely makes it a highly worthwhile endeavor.

Lots of photos were taken and as soon as these become available I will send you a selection. In the meantime, many thanks for all your support and for referring so many contacts to me.

Yours in Rotary, Peter Kyle, Chairman, District 7620 Rotary Foundation Alumni Committee Ambassadorial Scholar alumnus, 1973-74

Comments from Assistant General Coordinator Rodney Mazinter

What Rotary will be one hundred years hence, none living can imagine. There is nothing impossible to Rotary now. I believe that Rotary will live; and if it lives, it will grow.

Thus wrote Paul Harris in February 1915. The quotation from The Rotarian of that month holds true today as it did then and points to the visionary gifts of our founder. But in that time, 91 years ago, while celebrating the international growth of Rotary among many of the world’s peoples, Harris’s declaration of  confidence and belief in the organization he founded was made when the pool of potential members was a lot smaller than it is today. The amazing growth in Rotary took place when the choice of membership was made from a pool that was stocked only with males and when those selfsame males were pretty preoccupied with two world wars and the greatest economic depression the world had ever seen. A time when international travel required sea voyages lasting many weeks, not to mention the difficulties of land travel and communication. And yet despite these restrictions on communication Paul Harris was moved to say: I believe that Rotary will live and grow.

What would Paul Harris say about Rotary today when we have widened our pool and restocked it to include women and alumni of the various education programs of The Rotary Foundation — an option not available to Rotarians then or at any time before World War ll? We have widened our membership target by forming such Rotary sponsored activities such as The Rotary Foundation, Rotaract, Interact, and RYLA, among others. Using skillfully applied bait we hook these desirable potential members to our cause, let them breathe the

heady air of Rotary for a short while, and then throw them back never to be seen again.

How Paul Harris would hide his head in despair if he were here today to witness this waste of talent and potential members. I believe that he would exhort us to exploit the rich waters that we have created by targeting those who have enjoyed and benefited from the Rotary ethic and life-changing experiences. He would say: when seeking new members by all means cast your net wide, but surely it makes sense to concentrate your best efforts on those who have already had a Rotary experience and liked what they saw.

Actually, way back in that self-same Rotarian article 91 years ago, Paul Harris did somehow see the future and how it should be faced. He went on to write: There may come a day sometime (for even we must obey the inexorable law and grow old), a day when we shall not care longer to bear the responsibility imposed upon us by our present plan of membership. What shall we do then—resign? Perhaps not...possibly there will come the dawn of the day (of a) “Greater Rotary.”

The 21st Century has seen the arrival of that dawn. Each one of us has the responsibility to see that Paul Harris’s dream of a “Greater Rotary” is fulfilled. Where better to start than with membership, and where better to find the quality members we are seeking but in the ranks of our Rotary Foundation alumni.

Rotary Foundation alumni in October Rotary World

On page five, Rotary Volunteer alumnus and Rotarian Antonio Herrera’s project is featured. Bautista Logioco, Rotary World Peace Fellow alumnus, is featured on page seven with an article entitled Rotary Center alumnus on the frontline in Colombia’s peace efforts. Please visit the following link to view the complete edition: http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/rworld/rw_0610_en.pdf.

Rotary Foundation alumni in November Issue of The Rotarian

William Brinker, Rotarian and Rotary Volunteer Service Grant recipient is featured on pages 19-20 in an article about his service giving eye exams, surgeries, and eye glasses to citizens of many different developing countries. John Schott, Ambassadorial scholar alumnus and winner of the Global Alumni Service to Humanity Award, speaks about his experience’s impact on his life: http://www.rotary.org/cgi­bin/printablePage.cgi?file=newsroom/announcements/060706_schott.html. This month’s In Focus Section celebrates Rotary Foundation Month, entitled A to Z on The Rotary Foundation. Many Foundation alumni are featured throughout: http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/features/0611_tr_if_foundation_af.html.

Reconnections

A newly designed edition of Reconnections has been mailed to Foundation alumni, alumni chairs, and Rotary Foundation chairs in honor of Rotary Foundation Month. It is posted on the Rotary Web site at http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/reconnections0611.pdf. A second edition will also be sent in May.

Alumni Subcommittee Chair Annual Activity Report

Alumni Relations staff will be sending an Annual Activity Report to each district’s alumni subcommittee chair along with their residing alumni list in November. This report is meant to help the Foundation learn about district alumni activities in order to better communicate with alumni chairs. RFACs will be copied on this correspondence and asked to help follow-up with their alumni chairs to return the reports by the due date. A copy of this report is attached for your reference. 

2006 Rotary Foundation Facts

The 2006 Rotary Foundation Fact Card has been posted in time for Foundation Month on the RI Web site: http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/159en.pdf.

Rotary Foundation Alumni Association FAQ

The attached Alumni Association FAQ is a tool to help all Rotary districts form alumni associations. It is hoped that all alumni associations will send representatives to the Worldwide Rotary Foundation Alumni Association at the RI Convention in Los Angeles in 2008!

RFAC General Coordinator Lou Piconi Appointed Rotary Foundation Trustee

At their meeting earlier this month, the RI Board of Directors appointed Lou Piconi to serve as a Rotary Foundation trustee, 2007-11. We’re sure all RFACs will congratulate him on this appointment and be glad to have his alumni experience as part of the Foundation’s trustees!