Posted by Robert Durston on May 01, 2019
 
 
The World Community Service (WCS) is the District Committee responsible for administering the District Grant program and handling of the funds received from The Rotary Foundation (TRF). Over the past year, there have been several new roles assumed.
 
Art Beselt, past Chair of WCS is now the Compliance officer.  Bob Durston has become the Grants Administrator, dealing with clubs on questions of completing applications and final reports.  The Grants Committee of five, now chaired by Peter Peters, is responsible for recommending grants for the District Global Grant and any policy decisions related to grants. Arlene Jorgenson, RC of Saskatoon North, is the new Polio Plus Coordinator.
 
Updating of the WCS Guidelines is complete while the updating of the WCS Grants Manual is continuing.  These guidelines and manual are part of the District Manual of Policy and Procedures which has undergone several updates during 2018-19 as well.  
 
There was renewed interest again this year in clubs applying for Global Grants, which is great to see the funds donated by individuals and clubs to TRF Annual Programs Fund being utilised for doing good at home and around the world. Our District has clubs joining other clubs and districts to develop large educational projects – the largest sponsor is the RC of Calgary involving over 15 Districts and 115 clubs and Government of Canada for a $694,000.00 US educational project in D4250 Guatemala.
 
This year there were 58 District projects sponsored by 23 of 33 clubs that were certified. The projects ranged from, scholarships, RYLA camp, Inbound Youth Exchange Mandatory Event participation to parks, books for babies, Habitat for Humanity, iPads for Cree Language literacy and other literacy and community projects.
 
 
 
The World Community Service committee has for many years been the coordinator for International projects for clubs, and because clubs and individuals had donated to past proposed projects that did not move forward, a decision was made to assist clubs with International projects with the same guidelines as the District Grant. Thus four projects were awarded the maximum grant of $2,500.00 each.
 
A big thank you to Eva Vida for conducting the Grant Certification Webinars each year in November, as well as conducting the certification for other Districts. Thanks to all WCS and others who make our District a wonderful place to be.