So you may be asking yourself, “What is a ‘Million Dollar Dinner’ (MDD) and why is District 5550 committing to hosting one on May 14th, 2016?”
 
Million Dollar Dinners are not a Foundation program but rather a fundraising idea developed by a Rotarian in the USA and have been increasing in frequency and popularity across North America in recent years as a way of raising both awareness and support of our charity- the Rotary Foundation.
 
It is a dinner that is hosted at the completion of an assigned campaign period, where the guests attending are those who have contributed a major gift or made a bequest gift commitment in this timeframe, which collective total $1 Million or greater.
 
The dinner is the celebration and wrap up event and the means by which we say thank you to this specific group, and has in the past secured keynote speakers such as the RI President, Past RI President’s and Trustees to personally express their appreciation.
 
In our case we are combining our DG’s Conference Banquet with the Million Dollar Dinner, as far as I know this is a first.
 
It is an opportunity for a district to do something bold and remarkable in support of our Foundation programs.
 
This brief presentation is a “teaser” of what is to come as we begin to launch into this exciting “first ever” historic event together.    
 
So let me take a moment to introduce you to some other Million Dollar Dinner’s that have been hosted in our Zone in the recent past.
 
Pictured on the screen is the District 5360 Million Dollar Dinner-hosted in 2012 in Calgary, Alberta at the historic Gastown museum.   
 
With over 200 guests in attendance, supporters to this event, then RI President Banerjee and his wife Binota, attended to share their appreciation that evening.
 
With combined bequest gift commitments and outright major gifts of support, this dinner exceeded their goal raising $2.3 Million. 
 
The spirit of competition being alive and well in Alberta, the following year, DG Kevin Hilgers decided to host a MDD in his neighboring district of 5370.  
 
Building on the success of the Calgary model, he invited then sitting RI President Tanaka to his event. He also provided an opportunity for President Tanaka to engage with the local youth and participate in a hands-on service project with local Rotarians prior to the event. 
 
This dinner was hosted just outside of Edmonton, with over 100 in attendance.
 
The organizing committee had worked hard to keep the final dinner total a secret and invited Pres. Tanaka to peel back the painter’s tape on a  large cheque, revealing the grand total of support to our Foundation. You can see from his reaction, he was truly surprised to see $4.5Million was the result.
 
And more recently in 2013, DG Greg Coldwell from District 7820 (the eastern part of our Zone which includes: Labrador, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland and St. Pierre et Miquelon) decided that they would also take on this challenge.    
 
Another successful event, attended by RI President Nominee John Germ, with approximately 80 guests and $1.6 Million in new support.
 
So, we too have been inspired by the passion and commitment from these Rotarians and districts as they rallied together to raise awareness of the good works of our Foundation and the vital support that enables our program success.
 
I will now turn it over to Zone 24-Major Gift Officer, Carolyn Ferguson, to tell you a little more about how you can consider “coming to the table” to join us on May 14th for this historic first time District 5550 hosted Million Dollar Dinner.
 
As mentioned, this is a dinner that is hosted at the completion of an assigned campaign period, where the guests attending are those who have contributed a major gift or made a bequest gift commitment in this timeframe, which collective total $1 Million or greater.
 
At this time, I will identify for you the gifting options defined by your district for guest inclusion at this special event. 
 
Legacy gift commitments of $25,000 and greater provide for an individual named endowment within Rotary’s larger endowment fund.
 
Note: copies of your legal documents are not required at this time.
 
The language of pins….often for the purpose of saying thank you.
 
Wear your “thank you” with pride. It is your Foundation. 
 
When you wear your pin, you invite the opportunity to tell your story and in turn, hopefully inspire another person to invest in our Rotary Foundation.
 
 

 

Thank you for your attention. If you would like a form to pledge your commitment or to contact Marilyn Ferguson please click on this final slide.