A key objective of the Regionalisation Pilot Project (The Pilot) is to ensure the Rotary Foundation (TRF) continues to be our charity of choice. With The Pilot becoming operational on 1 July 2024, it is appropriate to reiterate a number of important facts in regard to TRF activities during The Pilot.

Article by PDG Peter Garnett MBE, Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator 2021-2024

Important facts relating to The Rotary Foundation during The Pilot are:

1. TRF is our Charity and will continue to be a key enabler for Rotarians and Rotaractors in our region to “Do Good in the World”, through grant funded community projects.
2. To have the ability to access grant funding, it will be important for Rotary Clubs and Rotarians / Rotaractors to continue to provide funding support for our Charity of Choice, throughout The Pilot.
3. During The Pilot, there will be NO changes in relation to TRF policies and processes. TRF and its support structures will continue to operate under the current arrangements.

This means:

• There will be no changes to how Clubs and members interact and give to TRF Annual, PolioPlus, Endowment and Disaster Funds.
• Districts will continue to have available District Designated Funds (DDF) which can be used to support Global and District Grants.
• There will be no changes to how Districts currently organise District Grants – how they are approved and disbursed – other than any changes the districts themselves may decide to make.
• Global Grants will operate under the current TRF guidelines and continue to be endorsed by the District Governor and the District Rotary Foundation Chair.
• Districts will continue to have access to Disaster Response Grants.
• Districts will continue to appoint a District Rotary Foundation Chair and members of the District Rotary Foundation Committee.

The Zone 8 Regional Rotary Foundation Leadership team – Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor and End Polio Now Coordinator, together with the Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinators – will continue to be a resource throughout the Pilot. They will be available to actively support each District’s Governor, District Rotary Foundation Chair and the members of the District Foundation Committee on all matters relating to The Rotary Foundation.

The District Foundation Team – The District Governor, District Rotary Foundation Chair and members of the District Foundation Committee will continue to be a resource and actively support clubs and members on matters relating to The Rotary Foundation.

Club Leaders will continue to have important and key role in TRF activities. They are asked to

• Continue to, or start to, provide club funding to the Polio Fund - to support Rotary’s No1 project to “end polio in the world” - and to the Annual Fund - to enable TRF to continue to “Do Good in the World”.
• Encourage individual Rotarians / Rotaractors to be regular supporters of TRF by becoming Centurions or Paul Harris Society members or Major Donors.
• Encourage individual Rotarians / Rotaractors to leave a legacy to TRF by becoming Benefactors or Bequest Society members.
• Undertake worthwhile District and Global Grant projects which address community needs in their local community or further afield.
• Provide project stories, supported by action photos, to promote the good works Rotary is doing in their community and throughout our region

The Regional Rotary Foundation Leadership team will work with the Regional Council during The Pilot to ensure there is close and appropriate cooperation and coordination focused on the continued success of TRF activities in our region.