special insert - The Rotary Club of Welland

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10 ROTARY SERVICE ABOVE SELF MAY 2007 ROTARY AIMS TO END POLIO Rotarian Vic Kerschl and his wife, Farida, travelled to India in 2005 as part of the Rotary International Foundation’s ongoing efforts through it PolioPlus program to eradicate polio throughout the world. The Kerschls covered their own travel and accommodation costs and volunteered two weeks of their time to travel throughout India to vaccinate young children. “These National Immunization Days are well publicized with lots of colourful banners to attract mothers to bring their children; it’s almost festive looking,” said Vic. Rotary International is the spearheading member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and is the largest private sector donor. The Rotary International Foundation has contributed more than $600 US million to the polio eradication activities in 122 countries. Polio is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects children under the age of three and can cause paralysis within hours. Before eradication efforts began in 1988, polio paralyzed more than 1,000 children a day, which totalled about 350,000 children annually. The incidence of polio has since declined by more than 99 per cent, an all time low, with only four countries still with cases of polio: Nigeria, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Tens of thousands of Rotarians have partnered in the fight against polio with their national ministries of health, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and with health providers at the grassroots level in thousands of communities. Members of the Welland Rotary Club made history at this year’s meeting. All of the club’s members were recognized as Sustaining Members of the Rotary Foundation as a result of their ongoing support for international causes such as eradicating polio. From left are Hugh Graham, assistant district governor, Angela Carter from the Welland Rotary Club, district governor Dick Earne and Andy Glavac, Welland Rotary district representative.TRIBUNE STAFF PHOTO Roman Groch, right, uses his multiple donation credits to the Rotary Foundation to honour family members as Paul Harris Fellows, his wife Anna Wacyk-Groch in 2005 and his father Myron, left, in 2006. Also shown is Roman’s mother, Janina Groch, second from left. 62448416 62448397 Doing good in the world The Rotary International Foundation has awarded more than $1.1 billion US since 1947 in humanitarian and educational grants, which are initiated and administered by local Rotary clubs and districts. The foundation’s mission is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education and the alleviation of poverty. It is a not-for-profit corporation that is supported solely by voluntary donations from Rotarians and friends of the foundation who share its vision of a better world. The Rotary Club of Welland is a generous and loyal supporter of the foundation, achieving Sustaining Club status in 2006, with a gift of at least $100 US from every member. The club has the second highest per member giving out of the 75 clubs in its district. There have been 66 Paul Harris Fellows in the club since it was established in 1920. Paul Harris Fellowship recognizes donors of an annual donation of at least $1,000 US. Three members were named to the new Paul Harris Society for making a commitment to give $1,000 US every year. Each year in November, the club hosts a Paul Harris Dinner as a donor recognition event. Clubs may also use their donation credits to recognize outstanding non-Rotarians for their community service. Shirley Perron was recognized in 2006 for her volunteer leadership of the Welland Food Drive. The foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International’s sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary “to do good in the world.” Klumph started the foundation with a donation of $26.50 US. Donors contributed $117.9 million in 2004- 05. The foundation’s grants fund international Rotary club and district projects to improve the quality of life, providing health care, clean water, food, education, and other essential needs primarily in the developing world. One of the major Humanitarian Programs is PolioPlus, which seeks to eradicate the poliovirus worldwide. Through its Ambassadorial Scholarships, the foundation provides funding for some 1,200 students to study abroad each year. Grants are also awarded to university teachers to teach in developing countries and for exchanges of business and professional people. A.R.(Andy) Glavac, CFP, EPC Certified Financial Planner Investment Representative “Partner In Your Financial Future” “The Wealth Management Solution” Manulife Securities 75 Lincoln St., West • Unit 3 • Welland 905-788-1356 VISIT US ONLINE AT : www.glavacfinancial.com 62448595
Sue Dolan, centre, is shown at Omoa, near Peurto Cortez in Honduras, with other members of the 2005 Group Study Exchange team from Rotary District 7090. Sue Dolan’s GSE experience Spring 2005. The snow was beginning to melt in Niagara, but I was sweltering in the tropical heat of Latin America’s cities, jungles and villages. Part of Rotary’s Group Study Exchange experience, my team of healthcare professionals traveled for a month through Honduras, Belize and Guatemala. Our objectives were to experience our professions in a different context, to enjoy immersion in other cultures, and to build peace and international friendships through shared experiences with the people of Latin America. No part of my trip preplanning prepared me for a month of contrasts: tin or mud shacks built alongside mansions, public hospitals whose patient beds were straw mats on the floor, and private clinics to rival any teaching facility here in Ontario. One commonality, however, was the enduring, engaging spirit of AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARS ENHANCE WORLD UNDERSTANDING Successful applicants for an Ambassadorial Scholarship receive a grant of $23,000 U.S. for one of academic year of study in another country to further understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries. This award is intended to help defray costs associated with round-trip transportation, tuition, fees, room and board expenses, and some educational supplies. Rotarians fund the program through donations to the Rotary International Foundation, the world’s largest private sponsor of university-level, international scholarships. Ambassadorial Scholarships is the oldest and best-known program of the Rotary Foundation, a tradition of excellence dating to 1947. The program supports about 800 students studying abroad each year. Rotary has introduced scholars to the cultures of more than 100 different countries worldwide and has created a worldwide network of 37,000 alumni. While abroad, scholars serve as ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the host country and give presenta- all those we met. The bonds of humanity superseded language and financial status, and friendships established in rural villages and congested cities endure still today. In our shrinking global village, there is nothing that affects one part of the world that will not eventually affect all of us. Through my exchange, I was able to bring home a new global understanding of issues in healthcare. Group Study Exchange allowed another ‘world’ to profoundly affect how I see my own. Sue Dolan is the Niagara Health System’s Infection Control Coordinator, responsible for the management, prevention and control of infectious diseases. She became a Rotarian after her return from Latin America and immediately volunteered at the district level. Dolan is secretary of the World Community Service Committee, a member of the GSE Advisory Committee and on the District Alumni Committee. tions about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to greater understanding of their host countries. Applicants must have completed two years of university or college work, or have a secondary school education and been employed in a recognized vocation for at least two years The application deadline is April 1. For more information, contact Cheryle Slattery at cslattery.mazda@cogeco.net. MAY 2007 SERVICE ABOVE SELF ROTARY 11 testimonials TIM WRIGHT Executive Director, Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre Member since 1997 As a member of the Rotary Club of Welland I find I can contribute to helping others in many different ways. Whether it is Rotary’s support locally for school breakfast programs or contributing funds for the digging of wells in Haiti and Guatemala, I can see how my efforts through Rotary make a difference for so many people. ANGELA CARTER Dale Carnegie Business Group, Niagara President, Angela Carter Enterprise President, Rotary Club of Welland Member District 7090 Club Strategic Planning Facilitators Committee, SLAPSHOT Facilitator and Volunteer Member since 2003 Rotary has opened my eyes to the tremendous impact that one organization can have both locally and around the world. There is no greater reward in life than to serve the needs of others. The Rotary Club has given me the opportunity to broaden my scope of giving. JIM BAGOZZI Associate Vice President, Business Solutions Consulting Member since 1999 As a 25+ year member of three different Rotary Clubs, I am constantly amazed at the tremendous amount of community, international and youth services provided through the financial contributions and personal effort of Rotarians - something you should definitely want to be a part of. FRED FARNHAM Retired Member since 1997 Member District 7090 RYLA Committee and SLAPSHOT Committee Rotary came to me with a Paul Harris Fellowship in 1988 and when I retired in 1997, Rotary invited me to join. The fellowship I have found across Canada and England always inspires me. The #1 motivation in my life!
Page 1 and 2: GET GET GET IT IT IT IN IN IN GEAR
Page 3 and 4: testimonials ALISON BROWN Owner A.P
Page 5 and 6: The Rotary Club of Welland's Andrew
Page 7 and 8: RYLA: Rotary Youth Leadership Award
Page 9: YOUTH EXCHANGE A LIFE CHANGING EXPE

special insert - The Rotary Club of Welland

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