The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat was very pleased to welcome back DG Neil Berg, who spoke about the Rotary Foundation and the pride that all Rotarians feel in our organization structured to "Do Good in the World".  As a celebration of the Centennial of the Foundation and the generous support of PDG Sandy Mackay, DG Neil presented 23 Rotarians with Paul Harris recognition, making the Medicine Hat club a 100% PHF club.

 

 

DG Neil related the history of the Foundation, how it began in 1917 with a contribution from the Rotary Club of Kansas City of $26.50 (the leftover proceeds of the previous year's International Convention).  The Rotary Foundation is supported by individual Rotarians on a yearly basis in amounts of approximately $250,000,000, and our District contributes over $100,000 annual.  The Rotary Foundation currently has a balance of about $1 Billion dollars, and less than 2% of the funds it takes in are required for administration.

 

The Foundation supports activities in Rotary's six areas of focus.

 

• Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
• Disease prevention and treatment
• Water and sanitation
• Maternal and child health
• Basic education and literacy
• Economic and community development

 

DG Neil spoke about this club's support for the Rotary Foundation, we count 3 Arch Klumpf Society couples amongst our members.  Neil spoke about how couples are really considered here, as it is a collective decision to make this commitment. He thanked Sandy and Jane Mackay also Wayne and Bernice Chesley for their support and welcomed our newest inductees into this special group, Dieter and Kitt Brand.

 

 

As well, presentations of incremental Paul Harris recognition were made to a number of Rotarians.  Your contributions this year and over all the years is appreciated.

 

 

Thanks to DG Neil for traveling down to help perform this ceremony and to everyone for their commitment and contributions.