International Service in Action

The fourth Avenue of Service. The advancement of International understanding goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons, united in the ideal of Service.

Carers needed for ROMAC

ROMAC is seeking volunteers to become carers for patients during the non hospital phase. ROMAC provides medical attention for children unable to be treated in their home country. "We don't fix medical conditions. We give them a life" a volunteer surgeon recently stated.
Contact Des Roberts for details of this special opportunity to make the world a better place. Ph. 07 5575 2594

Rotarians Against Malaria. (RAM) 2.5 million people die every year, 1 person every 20 seconds from malaria. 70% of those who die are children under age 5. - 6000 daily. Pregnant women are also hit, more than 1000 daily. Pregnant women are twice as attractive to malaria carrying mosquito. The researchers, who reported their findings in the Lancet say that this increased attractiveness is likely to be linked with a greater 21% volume of exhaled air and warmer (0.7%C) skin surface. This study underlines the importance of protection. Simple measures can help, such as using bednets treated with insecticide. 12 Clubs have joined in a Matching Grant RAM project to provide bednets to East Timor. If your Club wishes to join in US$100 or more is all you need to make available by December. A Bednet costs US$5. For a more detailed story see website address at here.

More opportunities with Matching Grants.
Most Members are aware from my official visit that we are involved with matching Grants to help people we will never meet. I have been asked can individual Rotarians take part and of course the answer is YES. If you personally wish to contribute to a particular program please give me a call and we can discuss how you can easily become involved.
Heather.

New Generations in Action

National MUNA Report

RC Lismore Bulletin Guest Speaker Gemma Connell spoke about her visit to National MUNA in Canberra, held at Old Parliament house. She spoke on human rights, the rights of children, the United Nations and UN peacekeeping. Gemma said that many countries were represented and a lot of people were in national dress.
Gemma was very excited about her experience and it showed in her speech. She said that it was a mind blowing experience.
Question time was informative. Gemma is from Richmond River High School and was an opponent in last years debate against the club. Doris thanked Gemma for her informative speech and Gemma thanked District for the opportunity. Contact RC of Lismore to seek Gemma as a guest speaker.

Tim Rawlings sponsored by RC of Burleigh Heads also attended National MUNA. A great guest speaker and from Marymount College.
Next District MUNA is at Robina on March 3. Applications are with the schools now as much time is needed to build MUNA needs into school curriculum topics.
Details contact Chairman Brian Wheatley.

Youth Activity and Youth Info Cards have been very successful initiatives of the District Youth Suicide Prevention Committee in conjunction with the Qld Government, Gold Coast City Council and AB Paterson College. Please keep in wallet so you can help a friend or yourself. There is much general interest. Raylee Taylor Ph. 07 5573 3873

The Rotary Foundation in Action

The mission of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is to support the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational and cultural exchange programs.

A Brief History 1905 Rotary International founded by Paul P. Harris.
1917 Arch C. Klumph proposed creation of an endowment fund.
1928 The fund grows to $5,739 and renamed The Rotary Foundation.(TRF)
1929 The US stock market crashed.
1930 TRF first grant - International Society of Crippled Children $500.
1939-45 World War2 1947 Paul Harris dies.
1948 By June $1M contributed.
1947-48 First educational program - International Graduate scholarships.
1954-55 TRF contributions exceed $500,000 pa.
1957 Paul Harris Fellow recognition began for donors giving $1,000.
1964-65 TRF contributions exceed $1m pa. Matching Grant program begins.
1965-66 Group Study Exchange began. 1978 Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) began.
1979 Trustees approve $760,000 grant for 5 year Polio immunisation plan in the Philippines. Grants for Volunteers began with medical and dental professions.
1984-85 TRF contributions climb to $24m pa. PolioPlus program officially became a separate TRF program.
1985 RI Board adopts the goal of immunising 500 m children against polio, in the hope of helping to eliminate polio by the year 2000, with official certification by 2005, RI's 100th anniversary.
1990 Carl P. Miller discovery Grants began.
1993 RI convention in Melbourne saw 500m th child immunised.
1994 Permanent Fund initiative begins. 1995 PHF's reach 500,000.
1996 Number of contributors to TRF reaches 1 m.
1996-97 Helping Grants begin.
1998 Total TRF giving pass $1 b.
1999 10,000th Matching Grant approved. Total Grants exceed $70 m. to projects in 181 countries.