Thanks to PDG Dennis Shore for an insightful presentation on the workings of Rotary International (RI) and The Rotary Foundation (TRF). He endeavoured and succeeded in giving us what one of our members commented as the best presentation unveiling the mysteries of the organisation at the highest level.
So what are the facts?
RI and TRF employ 700 people with 200 of those in regional offices - Sao Paolo, Zurich, New Delhi, Pune, Seoul, Tokyo and Norwest (Sydney). Rotary Ireland and Britain (RIB) operates as a semi separate entity.
There are 17 elected members of the RI board each responsible for 2 zones. Our current zone board member is based in Singapore.
Each document produced by RI must be done in several languages - each being an exact interpretation of the other so that there are no ambiguities between zones.
What about TRF?
It exists with a singular focus to end Polio and a passion to end conflict.
It operates 4 funds which support the 7 areas of focus, interestingly these areas of focus are consistent with the goals of the United Nations
PDG Dennis is on the Board of Trustees of TRF having been invited to join (these are not elected positions) by the then RI President Elect Gordon McInally. Thank you Dennis for providing us with further information on the governing bodies - one can certainly sense your passion for what we do