Page 10 - 2024年6月號

TRUSTEE CHAIR’S MESSAGE

Thank you and keep

dreaming big

Every June, we in Rotary look back at our Through your support, our dream of spreading
accomplishments and plan for what’s next. For peace is growing, with the Otto and Fran Walter
me, this month is the end of seven years in Rotary Rotary Peace Center set to welcome its first students
leadership that began as president-elect of RI. DW %DKoHúHKLU 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ ,VWDQEXO QH[W \HDU $QG
It’s remarkable how far we have come during if we hadn’t envisioned a better world and supported
that time, and how much we’ve done through The PolioPlus, would it have been possible that Nigeria
Rotary Foundation. We wouldn’t be where we are would be declared polio-free, as it was in 2020?
without your support and without you dreaming big. This is why your support of the Foundation is
A few months back, I saw these big dreams so critical. We set an ambitious fundraising goal of
when I visited a hospital in India where doctors $500 million this year. We are well on our way to
perform 4,200 pediatric heart surgeries a year reaching the goal, and with the support of everyone
thanks to a global grant. I will never forget the reading this we’ll make it. I’m especially counting
hospital in Taiwan where ambulances funded by on Rotary members who have not yet contributed.
another Foundation grant have doubled the survival Whatever you give, know that your gift will make
rate for heart patients. And these examples barely a difference, whether it’s for polio eradication,
scratch the surface; your Foundation awarded 1,098 literacy initiatives, peace education, or any other
global grants during the 2022-23 Rotary year. Think area in which Rotary excels.
about the scale of that work Ñ the magnitude of our These seven years have been a fantastic run
impact. for me. I have met so many passionate leaders in
Our Programs of Scale initiatives around Rotary, Rotaract, Interact, and other members of our
the world are more proof of how big dreams are Rotary family. You have all inspired me with your
becoming reality. We have grant recipients working drive and the big dreams you dare to dream.
to end malaria in Zambia, reduce the mortality rate All I can do is say thank you. I can’t wait to
of mothers and infants in Nigeria, and eliminate see how far those Rotary dreams will take us in the
cervical cancer in Egypt. Soon, our fourth program years ahead.
of scale will get started, dedicated to sustainable BARRY RASSIN
farming in India. Foundation trustee chair

Illustration by Viktor Miller Gausa
8 ᇃᢊ׭ᎈȁ2024.6