Zone 24 Director expands on Foundation’s actions on behalf of Japan
Posted by John Borst
on Mar 16, 2011
Ken Grabeau, Rotary International
Director 2010-2012, for Zone 24 & 32 reports that within hours of the first
word of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami, The Rotary Foundation took the
following action:
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TRF Chairman Stenhammar, on behalf of
the TRF Trustees, decided on Friday, 11 March 2011 to:
· Immediately
establish a Rotary Japan and Pacific Islands 2011 Disaster Recovery Fund
through TRF to be used in lieu of the regular World Fund match for Matching
Grants and Global Grants for disaster recovery projects related to the
earthquake and tsunami impacting districts in Japan and other Pacific island
nations; this also applies to donations from corporations and non-RotarPermit
the fund to accept both cash contributions and DDF donations.
· Clarify
that TRF will not provide Paul Harris Fellow recognition for donations to the
fund.
· Confirm
that all Matching Grants and Global Grants related to disaster recovery in
Japan and other Pacific island nations must adhere to the policies and
guidelines stipulated in the TRF Code of Policies and grant terms and
conditions; this includes the restrictions on construction.
· Request
the general secretary to provide a recommendation for consideration at the
April 2011 Trustees meeting in regards to how the disaster recovery funds will
be utilized among the affected districts, e.g. even percentage split, weighted
percentage split, first come/first served, etc.
· Extend
the 2011-12 Matching Grants application deadline to 30 April 2011 for grants
related to these disaster recovery projects.
· Waive
the minimum percentage of funding requirement of the international (overseas)
sponsors for Matching Grants related to these disaster recovery projects,
thereby permitting districts in the affected areas to contribute more than 50%
of the total DDF and/or cash designated for the grant project.
For those of you with further
questions regarding this action, I would encourage you to contact Harvey
Newcomb in TRF Programs directly for the most accurate and current information.
All of Rotary's senior leadership is
very aware that this action is not totally what you want for our organization's
immediate response. It is the very nature of Rotarians to want to help and to
be at the forefront of taking the most immediate and effective action possible
in response to any need. However, we must respect the fact that we are not
first responders, and that we are not equipped to provide the services required
in these critical early days. For that, we must all look to and support as each
of us sees fit, the agencies that ARE capable of providing crucial aid and
services appropriate at this time.
I would encourage each of you to share
this message with your clubs, and to in turn recognize the monumental task
ahead to rebuild this devastated country. The long term sustainable projects
that will restore fundamental infrastructure and human services are what we do
better that anyone else. Please promote this awareness and encourage both
financial support and programmatic planning by all clubs to be prepared to
conduct the rebuilding that will restore some acceptable standard of living for
these devastated families in the longer term.
Thank you all for your magnificent
display of compassion and urgent desire to help. You demonstrate all that is
special about Rotary and the Rotarians that comprise our membership.
Ken Grabeau
Rotary International Director
2010-2012