November is Foundation Month and what better moment to celebrate our newest Major Donors and Bequest Society members! The dinners, held in early November at Christchurch, Auckland, Sydney and Brisbane, raised US$2.2 million in Major Gifts and Bequests for the Rotary Foundation.

Article by PDG Jennie Herring, Endowment\Major Gifts Advisor and Anke Timm, Philanthropy Supervisor, RISPPO

Trustee Chair Barry Rassin joined us in Christchurch for the first stop on his week-long visit to New Zealand and Australia and the first of four Celebration Dinners in recognition of our most recent donors to the Rotary Foundation. In 2010, Barry led the Rotary rebuilding effort in the immediate aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, to provide emergency humanitarian aid to the affected people, including the coordination of 105 individual projects. He was therefore particularly interested in how the Christchurch community came together after the 2011 major earthquake, supported by Rotary members and clubs. Barry visited Quake City Museum and Garden City at Westlake Reserve, before joining 40 Rotarians at Commodore Hotel for a heart-warming and joyful dinner. District 9999 was presented with the prestigious New Zealand Rotary Foundation Shield for total giving in 2022-23.

The second stop in New Zealand, Auckland, welcomed Barry to the North Island with a sunny and crisp morning cruise on the sparkling harbour on the Mona Rose, leading into the donor meeting with our newest Arch-Klumph-Society member as well as our Legacy member in District 9920. A glamorous night at the Cordis Hotel with122 guests from Districts 9910, 9920, 9930 and 9940 followed, where Barry passionately shared stories of impact, lasting memories and insights into the Rotary Foundation’s goals and ambitions. 23 presentations were made to donors from the three districts, and District 9910 was presented with the New Zealand Rotary Foundation Cup for annual giving per capita for 2022-2023. PDG Lindsay Ford from District 9910 was presented with the Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding service for the foundation. One of the highlights of the evening was a spectacular operatic performance by DGE Michael Lapina of District 9800.

Members of District 9910, PDGs Peter Garnett and Elaine Mead, Sarah and PDG Grant Smith, GE Jenn Wong, President of Rotary Norfolk Island PDG Ian Kiernan and PRIP Barry Rassin celebrate the Distinguished Service Award presented to PDG Lindsay and Alison Ford (photo supplied courtesy of Rotarian Bill Horne)

Across the Tasman Sea, Sydney provided an opportunity for Barry to visit the global headquarters of the Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP), Rotary’s major partner in establishing the six Rotary Peace Centres around the world. A meeting with UNICEF Australia also added to the meaningful exchanges with local Rotary Foundation partners, strengthening relationships at the highest level of leadership. That night, 140 of Sydney’s Rotarians took the opportunity to meet Barry in person and applaud the generosity of a long list of fellow Rotarians at the Epping Club.

Our final stop in Brisbane enabled Barry to visit the University of Queensland’s Rotary Peace Centre and meet Directors and current students, culminating in a touching tree-planting ceremony in the university’s Peace Park. Barry joined 11 other Rotary International Directors who had previously added a tree to the serene surroundings. 105 Brisbane Rotarians did not disappoint at the Recognition Dinner at Tattersall’s that night, showcasing the best of their passion for the Rotary Foundation in “Bris-Vegas”-style!

A heartfelt and warm THANK YOU to all our generous and fabulous donors who, across the four events, contributed US$2.2million in Major Gifts and Bequests for The Rotary Foundation!