February is both World Understanding Month and the Rotary Anniversary month. February, 23 is the day when the first Rotary Club was founded in 1905. We should all, therefore, celebrate this month befittingly. Now how do we celebrate this greatly important month?
RI President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson said in his Monthly Message of February "All of Rotary's projects, no matter how small, have the potential to build understanding and bring peace. As we enter World Understanding Month, I ask all of you to remember that every project has a twofold purpose: meeting its practical objective and building goodwill and friendship. If we plan and serve well, we'll also build lasting bridges to a better future. As Rotarians, we truly believe that peace is possible." For projects, we need money and the biggest provider of money is "OUR" Foundation - The Rotary Foundation. Without support of Foundation Rotary cannot do any project - big ones like special project Polio Eradication or 3-H programs or even the small Matching Grants. But to have peace & understanding among people and peoples, we must serve them for which we need contributions from Rotarians themselves and they have been doing this. Motivated by the Rotarian' spirit and extent of contribution and the way they are utilizing this money - other philanthropist are coming on their own to fund the Foundation. To name a few, renowned businessman Harshed Mehta of India donated 3 million dollars, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation donated 100 million dollar and so on. Have we in RI District 3280 done our part? I am afraid not. Till last year, 92 clubs of our District never ever made any contribution to TRF! We are getting from TRF at a ratio of 30:1 e.g. for every 1 dollar donation from us, we received about 30 dollars for projects in Bangladesh. We received 30 million dollar so far from the TRF. This is in addition to contribution from friendly clubs - some of whom are not even very rich. We owe it to our conscious and honor that we should also contribute some amount. And I have been raising this issue in every club visit.
Now I ask you: Please fulfill your commitments (those who already committed) and others who are yet to decide please make your contribution this month. It may start with only $ 100.00 e.g. Tk. 6,900.00. To the small clubs, I request them to make a dream that I Shared with you right from DTTS, PETS / SETS, District Assembly, TRF Seminar & finally during my club visits - my dream of seeing that 100% clubs contribute to TRF - whatever the amount. I request all RFSMs to become PHFs or at best continue contributing 100 dollar this year. Those who are yet to be Major Donors - become one in this month, those who are already Major Donors - make their level higher.
As for celebrating the Anniversary Month, please let people know what good we are doing to the world by our service - small or big. Thank you.
(Rafiq Ahmed Siddique)
