Rotary
International John Kenny's April 2010 Message
April 2010
My fellow Rotarians,
April is Magazine Month
- At any given time, every one of Rotary's 33,000-plus clubs is
carrying out some form of vital service in its local community and
often internationally as well. Under Rotary's structure, each club
works autonomously within a broader network that supports and inspires
our efforts. An important piece of that network is the Rotary World
Magazine Press, made up of The Rotarian and 31 regional magazines
in 25 languages.
That is why a subscription
to either The Rotarian or one of the regional magazines is mandatory
for all Rotary club members. These publications bring us news of
other clubs and districts, offer ideas for our own projects, and
help us feel a greater bond with our fellow Rotarians. And the RI-mandated
content printed in each issue creates a direct connection between
our headquarters in Evanston and every Rotarian, everywhere in the
world.
Your experience at this
moment – of simply reading this message in a Rotary publication
– is one that is common to every one of your fellow Rotarians,
wherever they may be. RI-mandated content is consistent in every
publication. It is a single, shared message – a single, shared
experience. That is invaluable and irreplaceable.
When I sit down to write
a monthly president's message, destined for the pages of all of
Rotary's magazines, I know that I have an opportunity that will
come only once a month, for only the one year that I will be in
office. It is an opportunity to speak directly, in my own words,
to every one of our 1.2 million members. No matter how much I travel,
or how often I speak, or how hard I work to bring my message to
clubs and districts, nothing I can do will have the reach of the
400 words I am privileged to put on this page. Because I know that
every Rotary magazine, everywhere in the world, carries forth that
message just as I wrote it, or in its own local language.
I value that opportunity
tremendously, as I value the publications that make it possible.
April is Magazine Month, a good time to consider how this important
member benefit can help your club's service efforts and to share
the useful information in its pages with others.
The Future of Rotary
Is in Your Hands.
John Kenny
President, Rotary International
TRF Chairman's
April 2010 Message
Let’s keep our
Foundation strong
According to one recent
study, charitable giving is at its lowest level in 50 years when
adjusted for inflation. Eight-six percent of nonprofits reported
a decline in giving in 2009. At a time when humanitarian needs are
escalating rapidly, the resources to meet those needs are diminishing.
Fortunately, Rotarians are by nature a very generous group. Despite
a worldwide economic recession, donations to the Annual Programs
Fund in 2008-09 were the third highest in our history.
Rotarians continue to support the Annual Programs Fund as well as
the goal of meeting Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge to ensure
polio eradication. In addition, we are working to secure The Rotary
Foundation’s future by building up our Permanent Fund, and
we are striving to strengthen our peace efforts through our Rotary
Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution.
It may seem like a lot to ask, and I wish I could tell you that
your contributions to these efforts will cure all the world’s
ills. What I can tell you is what will happen if our Foundation
does not have sufficient resources to support your worthy projects:
Polio will continue to cripple far too many children. Disease will
spread more rapidly as fewer people have access to clean water and
sanitation facilities. Countless women and girls will never learn
how to read. And poverty, disease, and illiteracy will persist in
undermining our work toward peace in the world.
The Rotary Foundation belongs to all of us. It is our greatest resource
for doing good, and it is our responsibility to maintain its strength.
I hope every Rotarian will join us by making a contribution to support
the Foundation’s programs this year.
Glenn E. Estess Sr.
Foundation Trustee Chair
Source: Rotary International
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