Message from the Rotary eClub of Houston Foundation Chair

I am honored to work with the eClub as Foundation Chair.  It is my responsibility to educate membership about the foundation and the importance of contributions to the Rotary International Foundation on a consistent basis.   The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary International for Polio Plus, International Grants through the Annual Fund, and Scholarship and Peace Centers through the Permanent Fund.   Through Polio Plus, RI has provided vaccines to over 1 million people in the last quarter, with over 800,000 of those being children under the age of 10 years old.   Although polio is one of the most well-known and well financed operations, RI continues to make the world a better place through Global Grants impacting the six main areas of need in the world.   Those include Peace & Conflict resolution; Disease Prevention; Water and sanitation; Maternal and child health; Basic education and literacy; and Economic and community development.   

In addition to educating members and the community about the Foundation, it is my honor to help the club, and each Rotarian build your own personal goals for giving.   As each member contributes, I work with the leadership to ensure that members are recognized for their contributions as Paul Harris Fellow, Benefactors,  and even Major Donors.  Representing the eClub of Houston at District events such as the Million Dollar Dinner and District Assembly, our members are recognized for the financial and time resources that they complete through Rotary.    I am also charged with helping the leadership identify and obtain speakers and stories about the good work that is being done by Rotary throughout the world, in addition to the wonderful work that you have already adopted like the polio bike ride, scholarships for Nicaragua, supplies for Brazil, and many more.    Assisting with good stewardship of the funds that our club earns, helping you find projects that ignite your own passions, and recognizing our contributions to the world...not a bad job.   Simply put, the Rotary Foundation promotes world peace and prosperity and I thank you to be a small part of that awesome goal.
 
Linda Caruso, Foundation Chair 2014-15