The following report on Rotary International's 2021-2022 year was submitted by Don Heath and is appended to the February 02, 2023 issue of Ramblings.
Areas of Service
Mobilizing for Ukraine:
Rotary and Rotaract clubs quickly organized to help Ukrainians after
Russia invaded their country. The Rotary Foundation offered expedited grants from the Disaster
Response Fund to help people in Ukraine, as well as those who fled to neighboring countries.
We raised more than US$15 million for this effort and are funding projects that provide food,
water, clothing, medicine, transportation, and more to people who need them.
Russia invaded their country. The Rotary Foundation offered expedited grants from the Disaster
Response Fund to help people in Ukraine, as well as those who fled to neighboring countries.
We raised more than US$15 million for this effort and are funding projects that provide food,
water, clothing, medicine, transportation, and more to people who need them.
Safe shelter:
After more than 20 years of working with ShelterBox to provide emergency shelter
and essential items for people affected by natural disasters or conflict, we celebrated a decade
of formal partnership and extended our relationship for three more years. This will allow us to
help more people, in more places, in more ways.
and essential items for people affected by natural disasters or conflict, we celebrated a decade
of formal partnership and extended our relationship for three more years. This will allow us to
help more people, in more places, in more ways.
Vital vaccines:
We know from our work to eradicate polio that vaccines save lives. We
encouraged clubs to participate in local COVID-19 immunization campaigns and to help stop the
spread of misinformation. During World Immunization Week in April, we used our global
platforms to spread the word about vaccinations being among the safest, most effective ways to
eliminate or control many diseases.
encouraged clubs to participate in local COVID-19 immunization campaigns and to help stop the
spread of misinformation. During World Immunization Week in April, we used our global
platforms to spread the word about vaccinations being among the safest, most effective ways to
eliminate or control many diseases.
Breaking records:
We raised a record US$1.2 million on Giving Tuesday in November, and by
the end of the Rotary year, we raised more than US$434 million for The Rotary Foundation —
far exceeding our goal of US$410 million.
the end of the Rotary year, we raised more than US$434 million for The Rotary Foundation —
far exceeding our goal of US$410 million.
All are welcome:
Members’ responses to our first diversity, equity, and inclusion survey shaped
a comprehensive plan to incorporate DEI into all facets of Rotary’s culture. We introduced a DEI
a comprehensive plan to incorporate DEI into all facets of Rotary’s culture. We introduced a DEI
Code of Conduct
To help members create and maintain environments that are more positive,
more collaborative, and healthier for everyone. We developed new Learning Center courses
and other resources to help people understand DEI principles and apply them in their clubs and
communities.
more collaborative, and healthier for everyone. We developed new Learning Center courses
and other resources to help people understand DEI principles and apply them in their clubs and
communities.
Girl power:
During Rotary Day With UNICEF in New York City, USA, six Rotary members were
named People of Action: Champions of Girls’ Empowerment. They were recognized for working
to improve girls’ education, health, and access to better sanitation and hygiene resources.
named People of Action: Champions of Girls’ Empowerment. They were recognized for working
to improve girls’ education, health, and access to better sanitation and hygiene resources.
Service Above Self:
Presidential conferences in Brazil, India, Italy, Korea, Mozambique, and
the Philippines highlighted club and district humanitarian work. Speakers discussed creating
transformative change, building new partnerships, and celebrating how Rotary projects improve
lives and communities. The capstone event in the U.S. showed how Rotary’s work in each area
of focus builds more peaceful societies.
the Philippines highlighted club and district humanitarian work. Speakers discussed creating
transformative change, building new partnerships, and celebrating how Rotary projects improve
lives and communities. The capstone event in the U.S. showed how Rotary’s work in each area
of focus builds more peaceful societies.
Service in action:
Hundreds of clubs heeded RI President Shekhar Mehta’s call to host days of
service to engage with their neighbors, contribute to their communities, and showcase how
Rotary members are people of action.
service to engage with their neighbors, contribute to their communities, and showcase how
Rotary members are people of action.
Supporting women and babies:
Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria received the 2022
Programs of Scale grant. Using the US$2 million award from The Rotary Foundation and
additional co-investments from partners, the program aims to expand its work to reduce
mortality rates and improve health care for mothers and newborns.
Programs of Scale grant. Using the US$2 million award from The Rotary Foundation and
additional co-investments from partners, the program aims to expand its work to reduce
mortality rates and improve health care for mothers and newborns.
A pair of Rotaractor firsts:
In honor of their dedication and commitment to helping others, two
members became the first Rotaractors to receive the Service Above Self Award: Maria
Valentina Martinez Belo, of the Rotaract Club of Ing. Boris Walter, Aragua, Venezuela; and
Ignacio González Méndez, of the Rotaract Club of Oriente de Talca, Talca, Chile.
members became the first Rotaractors to receive the Service Above Self Award: Maria
Valentina Martinez Belo, of the Rotaract Club of Ing. Boris Walter, Aragua, Venezuela; and
Ignacio González Méndez, of the Rotaract Club of Oriente de Talca, Talca, Chile.
Partners in service:
We collaborated with Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs International, and
Optimist International to host a joint service week, during which our members completed a
service project with others who share our commitment to making lasting change.
Optimist International to host a joint service week, during which our members completed a
service project with others who share our commitment to making lasting change.
Celebrating Interact perspectives:
With the support of the Board of Directors, RI President Shekhar Mehta appointed an Interact Advisory Council, made up of current Interactors and recent alumni to determine the strategic direction for Interact, which is for people ages 12 to 18.
The council members will create programming for Interactors around the world to develop their
leadership skills, and strengthen the connection among Interactors, Rotaractors, and Rotarians.
The Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Foundation raised more than $434 million in 2021-22 to support programs
that spur positive, lasting change. (All monetary amounts are in U.S. dollars)
In the past year, the Foundation:
1. Awarded 1,199 global grants ($73 million in program awards) to support large-scale
projects, scholarships, and vocational training teams
2. Allocated 478 district grants ($27 million in program awards) to support short-term
service projects that address community needs and fund scholarships, youth programs,
and vocational training teams
3. Funded 207 disaster response grants ($8 million in program awards) for immediate
response, short-term assistance, and long-term rebuilding following disasters
4. Awarded 33 PolioPlus grants ($149.1 million in total funding) to UNICEF, the World
Health Organization, and other agencies to support global polio eradication efforts,
immunization campaigns, and virus transmission monitoring countries where polio is
endemic
5. Approved 11 PolioPlus Partners grants ($1.4 million in total funding) to support urgent,
member-led social mobilization projects, such as National Immunization Days and
surveillance activities in high-priority countries
6. Selected 130 Rotary Peace Fellows to study at Rotary Peace Centers around the world
to become catalysts for peace and development