Bob Dill, District 5770 Chair for The Rotary Foundation, explained the various methods of giving to TRF and the impact that members' donations have. The December 15, 2022 meeting of the Rotary Club of Chickasha was called to order by President Lewis Knisley. Rot. Mitch Williams led the club in singing "Jingle Bells".
At the beginning of the meeting, Paul Harris Award recipients were recognized. Paul Harris Awards are given for each $1,000 in total donations to The Rotary Foundation. Gary McNatt and Ann Manchester received recognition.
Pres. Lewis Knisley (center) recognizes Paul Harris Award recipients Ann Manchester (left) and Gary McNatt (right).
Pres. Knisley then delivered announcements:
- The "Ladies of Rotary" team won the Christmas Party trivia.
- Rotary Roll Call assemblies for the second nine weeks will be held January 5 at Grand Elementary and January 12 at Lincoln Elementary.
Rotarian of the Day John Gorton introduced the speaker, but not before delivering a few fun facts:
- The 15th was National Cupcake Day, National Bill of Rights Day, and National Cat Herders Day.
- On that day in history, the photograph was patented by Thomas Edison, and Walt Disney passed away.
The speaker was William R. (Bob) Dill. Dill is a business lawyer in Norman and a member and past president of the Norman Sooner Rotary Club. He served as District 5770 Governor in 2014-15. Bill has continued to serve in other ways, including facilitator/membership specialist for the Zones 21b-27 membership cadre, facilitator/discussion leader for both Lone Star PETS and our Zone Institutes, Assistant Rotary Coordinator for Zones 21b-27, President's Representative, Director and President of the Rotary Multi-District Training Institute, 2019-20 Zone 31 director's nominating committee, Lone Star PETS Board of Directors,and as Council on Legislation representative. Dill chairs the Foundation Committee for District 5770. He is a member of the American, Oklahoma, Chickasaw Nation, and Cleveland County Bar Associations. Dill serves on the Rules of Professional Conduct and Professionalism Committees of the Oklahoma Bar Association. He and his wife Nancy are Paul Harris Fellows and Bob is a member of the Paul Harris Society and is a Major Donor.
Dill commented that when he visits Rotary clubs, he is "privileged to be with the very best in the world." He polled those present on their knowledge level of TRF, whether they were new to TRF, somewhat knowledgeable, or very familiar.
The Rotary Foundation's mission statement is to "enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty." In Dill's own words, TRF's mission is that children around the world don't have to have polio, don't have to be concerned about contaminated water, don't have to face starvation.
TRF has three funds: the Polio Plus Fund, which supports the End Polio Now campaign, the Annual Fund, which provides "support today", and the Endowment Fund, which "secures tomorrow". TRF has the highest rating level (4 stars) on Charity Navigator, and has maintained that rating for 14 consecutive years.
There are several different levels of recognition within Rotary based on the amount and methods in which members give.
- A Sustaining Member has donated $100 or more per year to the Annual Fund.
- A Benefactor has pledged $1,000 or more to the Endowment Fund, either in their estate plan or given outright.
- A Paul Harris Fellow has donated $1,000 or more to Polio Plus, the Annual Fund, or an approved Foundation Grant. One can be a Paul Harris Fellow multiple times over.
- A Paul Harris Society member has committed $1,000 annually to the Polio Plus or Annual Fund.
Additionally, there are awards based on cumulative donations: a memebr who has donated $10,000 or more cumulatively is recognized as a Major Donor, and cumulative donations totaling $250,000 earn entry into the Arch Klumph Society. With documentation of a future gift (e.g. in an estate plan), a member can be part of the Bequest Society ($10,000) or the Legacy Society ($1 million). Additionally, there are recognitions for clubs based on their members' generosity.
Through what is now the Polio Plus Fund, Rotary International has provided 3 billion polio immunizations. 1.5 million lives have been saved. Donations to the Polio Plus Fund are triply effective, thanks to matching donations from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Endowment Fund has the goal of reaching $2.025 million by 2025. None of the capital of the Endowment Fund is spent, only the interest earned on it.
The Annual Fund is the fund that returns money back to the district. Donations to the Annual Fund are invested for three years. 5% of the donation then goes to administrative costs, and the remaining 95% is split evenly between the World Fund and the local district. The District Designated Fund goes towards district grants, smaller activities and projects, both local and international activities. The World Fund supports grants and programs available to all districts, longer-term projects with sustainable impact. World Fund grants are typically larger and address important needs within communities, while aligning with one of Rotary's 7 Areas of Focus.
There are several ways in which members can donate, the easiest of which is rotary.org/donate. Members can also enroll in Rotary Direct, the recurring giving program; give memorial/tribute gifts, give through their club's leadership, and more.
Catering was provided by Alexander Eats.