Rotaweek dated 18-Nov-2007

[Dipak R Sarbadhikari]

THE ROTAWEEK
A compendium of Rotary news
No. 820  Sun 18-Nov-2007

 

www.rotacal.org/3290/rotaweek.htm

 

ANWESAN - MULTI DISTRICT RYLA
________________________________________________________

 

DATE: 28, 29 & 30 Dec 2007
VENUE: Sunshine Academy, Madhyamgram
RI Districts:
3010, 3030, 3040, 3100, 3120, 3190, 3230, 3240, 3250, 3260, 3290

 

REGISTRATION: Rs 500 per participant
CONTACT: DG Anirudha Roy Chowdhury
Zoom House, 23/38 Gariahat Road, Kolkata 700 029
Off: 2440-8566 / 8332, Fax: 2440-2528, Cell:: 98310-75336
Email: ani...@cal3.vsnl.net.in 

 

 

 

INDIA TOPS THE LIST IN POLIO CASES
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From Hidustan Times, Kolkata, 17-Nov-07
By Sanchita Sharma, New Delhi, Nov 16
let...@hindustanimes.com

 

WORLD POLIO CASES: 707
367 India
226 Nigeria
036 Congo
017 Pakistan
012 Afghanistan
011 Chad
011 Myanmar
008 Somalia
009 Angola
009 Niger
001 Sudan

 

Over half the world's polio cases is now in India. Niger which had
for long topped the list has slipped in to second position.
Polio from India caused outbreaks in Angola, Namibia and Nepal
last year.

 

The four endemic countries with wild polio virus  have been identified
as India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. Cases in the other
countries are 'importations' from these four nations which account
for 622 of the 707 cases.

 

Deepak Kapur, Chairman India Polio Committee RI says the
Pulse Polio campaign is back on track. No cases of the dangerous
Type 1 virus (which spreads rapidly and causes paralysis most
often) has been reported in the last 8 weeks. 82% of India's
cases was caused by Type 3 polio. The Type 2 strain was
eradicated from India in 1999.

 

 

 

TRUSTEES, BOARD APPROVE FUTURE VISION MODELS
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FOUNDATION PROGRAMS HELP CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD

 

At their October/November meetings, The Rotary Foundation Trustees
and the RI Board approved the grant structure and strategic
cooperative relationships models and a preliminary distributable
funds model, all of which form the core of the Foundation’s Future
Vision Plan.

 

Reflecting input from grassroots Rotarians, senior leaders, and outside
consultants, the new models simplify Foundation programs and focus
Rotarian service efforts where they will have the greatest impact.
With a goal of full implementation by 2012-13, the plan provides
program options designed to achieve both global and local goals
and increase the sense of ownership at the grassroots level by
transferring more decisions to the districts.

 

The new grant model offers two types of grants. The first type
allows Rotarians greater flexibility to use funds to support their
broad service interests and address immediate needs in their
communities. The second type offers opportunities to participate
in focused and sustainable activities with greater support from the
Foundation and cooperative relationships to make the projects more
successful and sustainable.

 

The first type are block grants to districts, modeled after the current
District Simplified Grants program, that will allow clubs and districts
greater flexibility in carrying out local and international projects.
Districts will be able to use up to 40 percent of their District
Designated Fund to support these grants.

 

The second type will fund larger, more sustainable projects in one
of the three to five strategic areas of focus (the Trustees will
determine these areas at their April 2008 meeting, based on
demonstrated Rotarian interest and experience in current
Foundation programs). Under this model, clubs and districts will
select from two options: club- and district-designed projects and
prepackaged projects with strategic cooperative relationship
organizations. These grants will enhance funding opportunities
and support efforts that will gain more prominence for the Foundation.

 

The Future Vision Plan will be implemented in stages as identified in
the draft transition plan that will be finalized in April 2008. In
2008-09, the Trustees will select approximately 60 geographically
dispersed districts to participate in a pilot program for 2009-12.
The remaining districts will continue to use the current programs
and grants processes.

 

In expressing his support for the new models, Foundation Trustee
Chair Robert S. Scott applauded the more strategic approach to
service embodied in the Future Vision Plan. “Being everything to
everyone has left the Foundation struggling to realize its mission.
The new structure allows us to build on our strengths and realize
more sustainable outcomes,” Scott said.

 

“Rotarians have demanded a simpler, more accessible Foundation
that makes better use of our resources,” said Past RI President and
Future Vision Committee Chair Luis V. Giay. “Our new models for The
Rotary Foundation all meet the established criteria of a
‘five-way test’: They are
1) simple,
2) cost effective,
3) require significant Rotarian involvement,
4) have sustainable outcomes, and
5) are consistent with the Foundation’s mission.

 

 

 

PRELIMINARY DISTRIBUTABLE FOUNDATION FUNDS MODEL APPROVED
________________________________________________________

 

In response to the new Rotary Foundation grant structure, the Future
Vision Committee recommended a preliminary distributable funds model
that was approved by the Foundation Trustees and then reviewed by
the RI Board during the October/November meetings of both boards.

 

Under the new model, block grants will be funded by a percentage of
District Designated Fund allocations. During the three-year pilot phase
(2009-12), districts may use up to 40 percent of their available DDF
to support smaller local and international projects, offering districts a
great deal of flexibility. This percentage will be reviewed annually by
the Trustees. SHARE will continue operating in its current structure,
with 50 percent of district contributions going to the World Fund and
50 percent to DDF.

 

Club  and district-designed grants in the areas of focus (priority
world needs identified by Rotarians in which the Foundation is
directing its resources to have a sustainable and measurable
impact that leverages the organization's financial and volunteer
resources) are expected to be supported by a World Fund match
of DDF. Grants offered by the Foundation and its strategic
cooperative relationships, or SCRs (organizations that specialize in
one of the strategic areas of focus and have an established
relationship with the Foundation), will be supported by the World
Fund, Foundation-earned income, contributions from SCRs, and
other sources being studied further by the Future Vision Committee
and Trustees. The Trustees envision the joint Foundation-SCR
grants as the most effective and strategic use of Foundation
resources in achieving sustainable outcomes. As such, these
grants would be funded completely by the World Fund through
a competitive process that does not require club and district
financial support. 

 

"This model greatly simplifies our current funding mechanism and
gives districts better access and flexibility in using their
contributions," said Trustee Ron Burton. "With strategic cooperative
relationships, we also increase the level of funding available for
large-scale projects in our areas of focus and continue to provide
a choice to clubs and districts in their service interests with
more resources at their fingertips."

 

 

 

AND FINALLY
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It's easy to understand modern art.
If it hangs on the wall, it's a painting.
If you can walk around it, it's a sculpture.

 

Regards
________________________________________________________

 

Dipak R Sarbadhikari
RC Calcutta
District 3290 Webmaster
dea...@gmail.com