This Week's Foundation Thought is by Past District Governor Dan Morales

When I am asked about the Rotary Foundation, I immediately respond with a simple statement.  “The Rotary Foundation is the foundation for us as Rotarians.” With the Rotary Foundation, we have the ability to participate in local and international projects. We have the ability to expand the knowledge and skills of young individuals when they participate in our scholar programs and our Group Study Exchange programs. We have the ability to build peace when we open up the world to our Peace Fellows. And finally we have the ability to make history when we create a polio free world for all children.

As Rotarians, we should take advantage of our participation in the programs of the Rotary Foundation. When we do this, we learn. We learn how to develop a humanitarian project; we learn how to find a scholar, we learn to how to find a Group Exchange Study team member; we learn how to find a Peace Fellow; and we learn how to develop innovative ways to fundraise for the eradication of Polio. In doing so, we challenge ourselves, we evolve ourselves, we involve others and thus, we grow stronger as individuals and as clubs.

We do have one other way to participate, and without this, we cannot perform all the aforementioned programs and projects. Our financial commitment is needed. When we contribute to the Rotary Foundation, eventually all the funds contributed come back to our district for these programs and projects. So think about it this way. Whenever you see a 3rd grade child with a Rotary dictionary, whenever you travel abroad and see a water and sanitation project, whenever you meet a Group Study Exchange team member or scholar, and whenever you hear about the decreased incidence of polio around the world, you can say “I have a part changing lives.”

Dan Morales is District Chair, Rotary Foundation for District 5790.

Dan can be reached by e-mail at: workout-dan@aol.com