BULLETIN 1 AUGUST 2016

Our club had the privilege of hosting this seminar which occurred on our normal meeting night. We are fortunate that so many District officeholders gave their time and travelled to allow a local seminar.

President Jennie welcomed the delegates prior to introducing speakers from District to inform us of what TRF means and what we can gain from the various grant programs. It was gratifying to see 45 delegates from many district clubs including Rochester, Echuca, Gisborne, Kyneton, Bacchus Marsh, Castlemaine, Bendigo Sandhurst, Bendigo Strathdale, Canterbury, Eaglehawk, Bendigo South, Bendigo and Chatswood. Our Club was very well represented.

PDG Dennis Shore gave a brief overview of TRF. How it began in 1917 with $26.50 and has grown to billions today. It is the "engine room" of Rotary.

District recommends that  each club should utilise district grants, commit $1500 to end polio immediately, allocate $150 per member to TRF and encourage members to be part of the EREY club. (Every Rotarian every Year $100}. Use the cluster for the larger global grants.

We should remember TRF is our charity and give it priority in our charity giving. Currently only about 21% of our charity giving goes to TRF. The average Australian donates $318 per year,

 Mark Stephens spoke of the importance of social media and a dedicated web and facebook page to tell stories and spread them through the community. 

Utilise the Foundation website for contacts, email etc. Rotary club central has terms and conditions for District and Global grants.

There is a very helpful District Foundation Grants Team. District grants $ for $ matching. Discuss ideas with Grant or Mark.

District Grants international-need international partner, more complex, matching $0.50 per $. Need MOU.

Global Grants- need advance planning. Club qualification needed. Clubs can turn $16K into $40k with grants. All the details are on the website. Mark will provide his p/point presentation if requested.

FOUNDATION GIVING.

Chris Don stressed the importance of working on EREY especially as this is TRF centenary year. Remember we can  get a share of our contributions back through grants etc.

PDG John Wigley explained the Endowment Fund where TRF can be left money in wills. Minimum $10K

CENTENNIAL OF FOUNDATION.

PDG Dennis Shore showed a  video on TRF and suggested clubs try something special for this year.

i.e. special celebration event, learn more about TRF, inform others, involve community and local media.

Weekly foundation facts at meetings, speakers from Foundation committee, Polio Plus Fundraiser , The Rotary Centennial Book "Doing Good in The World".

There will be 2 metro and 2 regional special public information meetings . Regional functions are Bendigo Swap Meet and Echuca Steam Rally. Important for clubs to support dinners.

       Global and Peace Scholars- PDG Dennis Shore

       Endowments/Polio Plus/PHS- PDG John Wigley/ Gordon McKern

       Centennial  Celebration -Anne Peace

       Grants -Mark Stephens

After some twenty minutes spent on workshops, the seminar closed about 8.45.