Program: Rotary Finance and Giving 101
Gail Lehrmann, District Foundation Chair
Gail Lehrmann joined us to explain how money donated to Rotary is used. She explained the difference between the RI Foundation and the foundations of the local Rotary Clubs.
- Dues money goes to Club Operations, which includes meals served at meetings. They also pay our local club dues to Rotary International and the District.
- Club Foundations, are funded by pledges and fund-raising. Monies go to Club projects.
- Rotary International Foundation—funded by donations, mostly from Rotarians. The Rotary International Foundation dollars go to International Projects, including Polio Plus (this year there have been only 5 new cases). Nigeria, Pakistan and Afganistan are the only countries that are not polio free. The Endowment Fund and Annual Fund money goes to District Designated Funds and Global Grants---these funds are available to Clubs as grants three years after the donations. The District Designated Funds are returned to the Districts to go to Clubs that apply for grants.
Rotarians are dedicated to provide service for others, to make a difference in the world. Rotary International has six focus areas:
- Disease prevention
- Education/literacy
- Economic development
- Maternal and Child Health
- Peace and Conflict resolution
- Water and Sanitation
Rotary International uses donated funds very efficiently. In fact, the Charity Navigator reports that Rotary is the top Foundation/Charity that they have evaluated!!
Guests: Dana Price, Chair of Evergreen BlueGrass Festival
Announcements/Business:
- The Rotary Foundation is 100 Years old this year!
- Our newest Paul Harris Fellows: Susan Imming and Joyce Snapp
- Dana Price spoke to us about the Evergreen Blue Grass Festival. They are designating 285 Back Pack Project as one of the beneficiaries of this year’s event. That will be Saturday August 19 at the Evergreen Rodeo Grounds. Our Rotary Club will participate to help with the event. To sign up to help, go to: www.evergreenbluegrassfestival.org/volunteer.html.
- The Annual meeting of the Conifer Rotary Foundation will be June 20…two new Rotarians will be elected for the Board. Any Conifer Rotarians who would like to be considered for a position on the club foundation board please contact Wendy Woodland.
- Luna Mandala gave a gift of $75 to Conifer Rotary. Thank you Luna!
- The Argo Mine tour organized by Finn was last Saturday and folks had a great time. They learned about the development that is being proposed in Idaho Springs.
- This Saturday has many events that will include out club Rotarians:
- Conifer High School graduation
- The 9 Health Fair
- The Veterans Rendezvous