“Every Rotarian, Every Year” Open Forum
                
Panelist :  David Linett, RI Director

1030-1200, Saturday, 7 May 2005

─上一頁UP─

ENTER TO LEARN

GO FORTH TO SERVE

進來學習

出去服務

The Every Rotarian, Every Year initiative will have a major impact on the future of Rotary and combining these topics is very appropriate. Nothing has enhanced the international reputation of rotary as much as the ability of the Rotary Foundation to fund so many major projects around the world-especially Polio Plus.

The effort to have every Rotarian contribute to the rotary foundation is obviously not new. What is really new is the major campaign to make this effort a reality.

From my perspective as a representative of zones in the eastern part of the United States. Here are some general principles we are applying:

1-directors, RRFCs, district governors and many club presidents are continually promoting the phrase EREY in many different ways-in speeches, at Foundation Seminars, in governors’ newsletters, in club newsletters, at district conferences, PETS and other meetings, etc.

2-Rotary leaders continue to emphasize deductibility of contributions to the Rotary Foundation for United States income tax purposes. Deductibility for taxes is not available in some countries.

3-Rotary leaders stress that although there are many ways to contribute to the Rotary Foundation, that the Annual Programs Fund is critical to the ability of the Foundation to carry on its year to year programs.

4-Rotary leaders stress the tremendous needs throughout the world that can be attacked with increased funding of the Rotary Foundation.

5-Rotary leaders give special recognition to clubs where every member has contributed to the Annual Programs Fund.

How can a Rotary club typically go about reaching its goal of EREY? Here’s an actual successful method used by a Rotary club in my home district. The campaign, that more than tripled the annual giving of that club to the Foundation, was created based on advice by a professional fundraiser: develop a limited period campaign of one month or six weeks-preferably during Foundation month in November. (a long, drawn out campaign produces much less impact and creates less impetus to contribute).

Create written material to distribute to the members before the campaign starts emphasizing the need for every Rotarian to contribute and the general use of the funds. Announce the club goal and include a pledge sheet with the material. If possible, have the club match the contributions with its own funds. Even if the club cannot match 1.1,any match is better than no match.

Emphasize that the campaign is asking every Rotarian to contribute whatever they can with the goal of an average contribution of us$100 or more. If we overemphasize the US$100.00 figure, it may induce those who can afford more, to contribute only $100. To be successful we need many gifts over $100 because, invariably some will give less than us$100.

Argue that most Rotarians give to various other charities and should also consider giving to the Rotary Foundation because the Rotary Foundation truly furthers world peace and understanding through Educational and Humanitarian projects.

Divide the club into small groups to personally solicit each member for a contribution during the campaign. Do not rely on general solicitations to the whole club. One on one solicitations are much more effective. Ask for a small increase from each contributor each year. Consider enabling members to pay their pledges monthly or quarterly through the club.

If culturally appropriate, honor the larger contributions and announce the progress tow are the club goal at each meeting during the campaign. At least publicize the names of all Rotarians contributing without amounts.

Celebrate the successful conclusion of the campaign.