Today the club welcomed Rotary’s 6290 District Governor Brian Robertson, who joined us from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.
What would Traverse City be like without Rotary?
There are two big topics that he wants the district to focus on this year: Promoting the value of the Rotary Foundation and staying focused on the goal of eradicating polio.
Brian said he is concerned about our district’s per capita giving to the Rotary Foundation.
He says Rotary members should willingly give to the Rotary Foundation—not because of what our district will receive as a match—but instead, because of important work that the Rotary Foundation does around the world. He says members should give to the foundation on the basis of what it does, not because of what we’re getting back.
Less than nine percent of funds donated to the Rotary Foundation goes to overhead and the projects that the foundation supports must be financially sustainable over time.
Brian also wants Rotary to stay focused polio eradication. He said there are 18 outbreaks in the world right now, and in 14 cases alone in Afghanistan.
He said it’s important that we don’t sit back and become complacent as we reach the end. It will still take a major effort to get to the finish line.
Governor Robertson asked: “How many matches are lost in the very end of the game?”
These two focus areas are his top priorities and he looks forward to working will all the clubs in the district to achieve our goals.
Thanks for the dose of inspiration, Brian!
Don’t forget: The 2019 District conference is in Sault Ste. Marie!
