District at the R.I Convention in New Orleans


Why Future Vision?


District Governor Wes Armstrong accompanied by PDGʼs Howard Caskie, Ernest Lawson and myself, headed our group; other Rotarians from Banbridge, Cork Bishopstown, Glanmire, and Navan were registered but we did not get to meet them for it was difficult to find people among 19,000 delegates from 160 countries who attended. The Convention was held at the Ernest N Morial Centre, a massive three‑story building, stretching one and half miles.


We quickly got into the mood of the place on arrival as we joined over 200 other Rotarians from R.I.B.I. for breakfast while cruising down the Mississippi River on the famous steamboat Natchez, entertained by a brilliant 5 piece jazz band for the full trip.


The Opening plenary session was very colourful with the traditional presentation of flags from the 200 countries and regions, which Rotary Clubs serve, followed by a happy group of Rotary Youth Exchange students singing a melody of popular songs and a welcome address from our R.I. President Ray Klinginsmith.


Many interesting presentations were made throughout the four days including the keynote address by Microsoft Founder Bill Gates. He said that he was so proud to be partner in the work that Rotary has been doing to eradicate polio. We would not be where we are without you, nor can we get to where weʼre going without youʼ (i.e. eradicating polio from the world; the last one per cent)


We also attended some of the Workshops which were held on the second and third floor of the Centre; these were very interesting and informative and we could feel proud that our own P.D.G. Howard Caskie who was one of the panellist leading the discussion on The Permanent Fund and Major Gifts. D.G.Wes had the pleasure of meeting almost 400D.G.'s of his year from around the World at a special reception during the convention.


It was apparent that New Orleans has recovered from the damage sustained from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. As tourism is their main industry, the people do everything possible to welcome visitors to their city. It is estimated that our Rotary Convention will inject $22 million into the local economy. In hotels, restaurants, bars, etc., when you thank them for their service, they always reply ʻyou are welcomeʼ, so Wes, Howard, Ernest and myself kept repeating the phrase, even when we got lost on a few occasions.


The visit to Bourbon Street and the French Quarter was just magical, at night time it has a carnival atmosphere with thousands of people walking through the streets singing, laughing, dancing, jazz music everywhere, restaurants, bars, gift shops decorated with flowers, tinsel, etc. We even spotted a Jazz Funeral Shop with an illuminated sign outside saying – ʻwhere people are dying to come inʼ!


PDG Sean Doyle ‑ District. Coordinator, R.I.Convention 2011‑ New Orleans


I


n the pub, at the hairdresserʼs, in the supermarket ‑ the question on everyoneʼs lips is, “Why have the Foundation


Trustees proposed this new grant structure?”


The short answer is, to make the Foundation stronger, more prominent, and more accessible by maximising the use of funds for greater impact, flexibility, and sustainability.


Immense growth in the work of Foundation – especially in the area of humanitarian grants – highlighted an obvious need for change. Take Matching Grants for example. In the first 35 years of the programme (1965‑ 2000), the first 10,000 grants were awarded. It took only four more years for the second batch of 10,000 grants and, despite raising the minimum grant level to US$5,000, only four more years for the next batch. Foundation staff in Evanston was slowly drowning in a sea of paperwork. Back in 2005, a survey of approximately 10,000 Rotarians yielded the following wishlist.


• A simpler, more focussed programme menu


• Balance between global and local programmes


with


• Focus on significant programmes sustainable outcomes


• Increased sense of ownership by shifting more decisions locally • Partnerships with other organisations for global projects


Future Vision provides answers all those points!


When the plan rolls out worldwide on 1st July 2013, Matching Grants, Ambassadorial Scholarships, the Group Study Exchange Programme, and District Simplified Grants, as we currently know them, will cease to exist. They will be replaced by District Grants and Global Grants – howʼs that for simplicity and focus!


he amount of Foundation funding available for local projects will be increased by a factor of 2.5. Allocation of this money will be at District level thereby shifting more decisions locally. Matched funding will be available ONLY to significant, sustainable


8


projects that fall within six chosen Areas of Focus:‑


• Peace & Conflict Prevention and Resolution


• Disease Prevention & Treatment • Water & Sanitation • Maternal & Child Health • Basic Education & Literacy


• Economic & Community Development Two strategic partners have already been identified – Aga Khan University and Oikocredit International – and packaged grants for vocational training teams and microfinance schemes will be available to Clubs and Districts.


Future Vision incorporates a radical re‑ structure of Foundation programmes. We, in D.1160, have 24 months in which to become au fait with the new rules and regulations. Seminars and workshops will be on offer – please make use of them. William Shakespeare said, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be” Obviously, Will didnʼt have the benefit of Future Vision!


PDG Howard Caskie Future Vision Officer 2011‑12


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