[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 833

[Garry Krischock]

Messages In This Digest (2 Messages) 

1. 1578; French club brings <>  essential technology to schoolchildren From:
Sunil K Zachariah 

 

2. 1579: RI General Secretary addresses impact of U.S. <>  financial crisis
From: Sunil K Zachariah 

 

Messages 

1.
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1496;_ylc=X3oDMTJxYTJid
WU1BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE0O
TYEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyNDMxNTUyNA--> 1578; French club
brings essential technology to schoolchildren 

 

Fri Oct 17, 2008 5:25 pm (PDT) 

Computer supplies pour in By Ryan Hyland
[http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/161108.jpg]
Students from northern Tarn, France, are benefiting from computer
equipment donated by the Rotary Club of Carmaux. Photo courtesy of
André Marty
Collecting donated computer equipment for budget-strapped middle schools
in and around northern Tarn, France, has become a central cause for the
forward-looking Rotary Club of Carmaux, which is providing students with
the tools needed to keep pace with fast-moving technology.

For years, club member Jacky Cathala, with the support of District 1700
(Andorra; France), sent donated computer supplies to underequipped
Romanian schools that taught French. After media reports on the success
of Cathala's efforts, requests for equipment began to pour in from
school authorities in northern Tarn. So the club launched the Better
Computer Learning Conditions in Schools vocational project.

"After visiting a few schools, mostly in rural areas, I realized
[their] computer technology was almost obsolete," Cathala says.
Seeing underprivileged schoolchildren at such a disadvantage motivated
his club to help level the playing field.

Now Cathala and fellow club members spend hours networking with French
organizations that are willing to donate old computer equipment.
Rotarians also coordinate with information technology specialists to
ensure the systems are working and up-to-date.

Since its launch in December 2006, the project has delivered more than
180 computers and 24 printers to 40 schools.

André Marty, 2007-08 governor of District 1700, says other clubs
could easily reproduce the effort, which could enhance Rotary's
image. "Operations of this type allow clubs to get involved for the
first time in underprivileged populations, where Rotary may not be
known," he explains.

Contributing to the project's success are its dramatic, tangible
results. "Computers are now a vital educational tool. The
acquisition of this new skill will be essential once the students
graduate," says Bruno Delvallée, primary school inspector for the
French Ministry of Education. "Because of Rotary, students now have
the opportunity to excel in school."

This article appeared in the October issue of Rotary World 
<http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/Newsletters/RotaryWorld/Pages/rid\
<http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/Newsletters/RotaryWorld/Pages/ridefau
lt.aspx> 
efault.aspx> .

Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

 

2.
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1497;_ylc=X3oDMTJxY2ozY
zhiBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE0O
TcEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyNDMxNTUyNA--> 1579: RI General
Secretary addresses impact of U.S. financial crisis 

 

Fri Oct 17, 2008 5:32 pm (PDT) 

RI general secretary addresses impact of U.S. financial crisis

Dear Rotarians,

Given the troubling news from Wall Street over the past several weeks,
we have received many inquiries about the impact these events will have
on Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. Although our
investments have lost value in the short term, we believe they will
recover when the financial markets stabilize. In addition, Rotary
maintains a diversified portfolio that includes investments outside of
the markets that were adversely impacted by recent events. Rotary's
investment policies have proven to be sound through past down markets.
This prudent management should allow our programs and projects to
continue as planned.

Many Rotarians have asked specifically about our investment holdings,
insurance coverage, and reserves, so I would like to note the following:

* Both The Rotary Foundation's and RI's investment portfolios
have only minor exposure to the companies that were taken over by the
U.S. government (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and AIG), purchased by other
financial institutions (Merrill Lynch and WaMu), or declared Chapter 11
bankruptcy (Lehman). * Although RI has some insurance coverage
placed with AIG, AIG's insurance businesses are safe in that they
are separate legal entities closely regulated by both state and federal
agencies. * Both RI and the Foundation have strong cash balances,
and year-to-date revenues from sources other than investments are ahead
of last year. * All money in the PolioPlus Fund is invested in U.S.
treasuries, the safest securities available. * Both RI and the
Foundation have adequate reserves to operate without having to sell
investment securities at a loss.

Last week, The Rotary Foundation Investment Advisory Committee met with
Rotary's independent investment consultant and several money
managers for its regular investment review. The committee confirmed that
the current investment policies set by the RI Board and Foundation
Trustees continue to be appropriate for the long term. The committee
advised the Trustees to continue diversifying the portfolio to further
mitigate the impact of losses in any particular market.

You can be assured that Rotary's senior leaders, the general
secretary, the Financial Services staff, and Rotary's investment
consultant are monitoring this situation very closely. We are confident
our investment and reserve policies will allow the good work of Rotary
to continue around the world.

Sincerely,

Ed Futa
General Secretary, Rotary International

Source: Rotary International News / Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

 

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