[1260International] District International (& Foundation) matters - Keeping you up to speed

[Rtn. Stephen Sypula]

Dear all, some significant updates follow. Please do advise your Members, 
and in particular your 1st VP who may be attending the PEPS training day 
this Saturday.

A.  RI & TRF Year-to-date financial results through 31 December 2008 - see 
full text dated 12th February - 
http://www.rotary.org:80/en/AboutUs/Financials/Announcements/Pages/year_results_31dec08_annc12feb09.aspx

Polio+

"The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded The Rotary Foundation a 
further $255 million, in addition to the 2007 grant for $100 million. Rotary 
is asked to raise a total of $200 million in matching funds by 30 June 2012. 
To date, Rotarians have raised almost $73 million in cash and commitments 
towards this challenge. To be more than a third of the way toward our $200 
million goal in this economy speaks volumes about Rotarians' resolve to End 
Polio Now."

Rotary finances

"RI showed investment losses of US$19 million and the Foundation had losses 
of $159 million, most of which were unrealized and should reverse once the 
markets recover. Revenues from club dues remain slightly ahead of budget, 
and Rotarian contributions to the Foundation are up by $3 million over last 
year. Operating expenses for both RI and the Foundation remain favorably 
below budget in most areas, with the majority of these gains projected to 
remain through the end of the fiscal year. "

"The Trustees reduced 2008-09 World Fund expenditures for 3-H Grants, 
Volunteer Service Grants, and Matching Grants by $16.3 million. The RI and 
Rotary Foundation finance committees are preparing contingency plans for 
consideration in establishing austere budgets for fiscal year 2009-10."

B.  Australian Bush Fire / appeals (consolidation & update of earlier 
mailings)

Latest information (17th Feb) - Some 15 fires are still raging. 5,000 
firemen from Australia, New Zealand and US are in attendance.
Over 200 have died, 1,800 homes have been destroyed, 7,000 people have been 
made homeless & 450,000 hectares of forest, farms andcountryside have been 
laid to waste.
Districts affected: D.9780/D.9790/D.9800/D.9810 and D.9820

Individuals & Clubs wishing to donate have 3 known ways to do so:

1. Personal cheques (with Gift Aid form) or Club cheques to RIBI Donations 
Trust, Alcester - see 
http://www.ribi.org/news/articles/bushfire-victims-fund-set-up-by-rotary-in-uk-ireland
2. Shelter Box Matching grant project through Apple Valley RC, D5300 - see 
http://www.matchinggrants.org/grant1441.html
3. Direct to D9790   Commonwealth Bank of Australia,  A/C Name - Rotary 
International District 9790 Inc,  BSB - 063 163,  A/C No. - 1049 8861

If it is an international transfer, then the additional information required 
would be Required  Swift Code - CTBAAU2S  Address of bank - 375 High Street, 
Preston Victoria 3072
Please advise their Treasurer at <BushFireRelief at rotary9790.org.au> that a 
transfer has been made.

C. For those with an interest in matching grants and The Rotary Foundation - 
TRF Future Vision Plan

TRF is changing its focus and processes very significantly as it moves 
towards its 2nd Centuary of operation in 2017. The changes will affect the 
Grant regime, as well as other TRF programmes. The good news is that more of 
the total cake may be managed at District, rather than TRF Trustee level. 
Frank Devlyn Amigos has produced a helpful summary of the changes and 
impact. It together with a series of videos is available from 
http://www.frankdevlyn.org/FutureVision/fvp-index.htm

D.  Child Mortality factsheet - sent earlier by John Versey

E. Other matters:

1. Don't forget nominations for D1260 International awards are due by 31st 
March
2. Please let me know if you wish to stand for Membership of DISC in 2009/10
3. If you are handing over responsibility for International in July, please 
email me with your successor's contact details ASAP

Thanks, Stephen
Stevenage Grange RC, DISC Chair Elect
01438 880203