News Archives

06/02/09

Arrival of Rotary Club of Kobe East at Coolangatta Airport

Pres Noda and Pres Kelly sign Memorandum of Agreement	Pres Noda and Pres Kelly with Kobe East Sake
Pres Noda and Pres Kelly with RCoB Wine	Pres Noda and Pres Kelly with RCoB Wine
Past President Yoshihiro Sumida, Rotary Club of Kobe East	Pres Noda and Pres Kelly sign Memorandum of Agreement
President Harukiyo Noda, Rotary Club of Kobe East

22/10/2008

Dear Rotarians,

Given the troubling news from Wall Street over the past several weeks, we have received many inquiries about the impact these events will have on Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. Although our investments have lost value in the short term, we believe they will recover when the financial markets stabilize. In addition, Rotary maintains a diversified portfolio that includes investments outside of the markets that were adversely impacted by recent events. Rotary's investment policies have proven to be sound through past down markets.  This prudent management should allow our programs and projects to continue as planned.

Many Rotarians have asked specifically about our investment holdings, insurance coverage, and reserves, so I would like to note the following:

Both The Rotary Foundation's and RI's investment portfolios have only minor exposure to the companies that were taken over by the U.S. government (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and AIG), purchased by other financial institutions (Merrill Lynch and WaMu), or declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy (Lehman).

Although RI has some insurance coverage placed with AIG, AIG's insurance businesses are safe in that they are separate legal entities closely regulated by both state and federal agencies.

Both RI and the Foundation have strong cash balances, and year-to-date revenues from sources other than investments are ahead of last year.

All money in the PolioPlus Fund is invested in U.S. treasuries, the safest securities available.

Both RI and the Foundation have adequate reserves to operate without having to sell investment securities at a loss.

Last week, The Rotary Foundation Investment Advisory Committee met with Rotary's independent investment consultant and several money managers for its regular investment review. The committee confirmed that the current investment policies set by the RI Board and Foundation Trustees continue to be appropriate for the long term. The committee advised the Trustees to continue diversifying the portfolio to further mitigate the impact of losses in any particular market.

You can be assured that Rotary's senior leaders, the general secretary, the Financial Services staff, and Rotary's investment consultant are monitoring this situation very closely. We are confident our investment and reserve policies will allow the good work of Rotaryto continue around the world.

Sincerely,

Ed Futa
General Secretary, Rotary International
Source: Rotary International News / Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

 

05/09/2008

William E Skelton

Dr. William E. Skelton, 89, passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer. Dr. Skelton was known worldwide for his exceptional lifetime of outstanding service to others. He lived by three mottos: "To Make The Best Better", "That I May Serve", and "Service Above Self". These three mottos for 4-H, Virginia Tech, and Rotary International, respectively, summarize Bill's selfless commitment to serving others. Born January 10, 1919, in Dinwiddie County, Dr. Skelton grew up on his family's tobacco farm. He enrolled in the Cadet Corps at Virginia Tech in 1936 and worked his way through college, graduating in 1940, with a B.S. in agricultural engineering. Bill began his career in Virginia Cooperative Extension when he became a 4-H agent, in Appomattox, Va. He served in World War II as a United States Army officer in Trinidad and in the African and Italian theaters, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. After the war, Dr. Skelton earned his master's and doctorate in educational administration at Cornell University.

In 1949, Dr. Skelton returned to Blacksburg to begin his 39-year career at Virginia Tech, first as director of 4-H programs and director of the Cooperative Extension Service and culminating with his appointment as Dean of the Extension Division in 1965. He held that position until he retired in 1979, at which time the University conferred upon him the title of Dean Emeritus.

In addition to his leadership in Extension, Skelton has been recognized for 70 years of service to Virginia Tech and the surrounding community in various roles, including volunteer fundraiser, reunion organizer, leadership bboard member, and campaign chair. For his dedication to 4-H and his 40 years of outstanding volunteer service to the Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Center, the facility changed its name in 2004, to the W. E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center.

Bill led the effort to build the conference and alumni center at Virginia Tech, serving as chair of the committee that oversaw the planning, design, and fundraising for the center which included an attached hotel. The complex was named the Inn at Virginia Tech with its Skelton Conference Center named to recognize the tremendous service to the University by Skelton and his wife, Margaret. The couple has endowed the Skelton Award for Academic Excellence, a scholarship awarded annually to a male and female athlete at Virginia Tech for their academic and athletic accomplishments.

Dr. Skelton was known worldwide for his leadership in Rotary International. After serving as club president for the Christiansburg, Blacksburg Rotary Club, and Governor of District 7570, he became President of Rotary International in 1983-84. During that year, he and his wife, Margaret, visited over 100 countries promoting Rotary and "Service Above Self". Bill loved the mountains, Claytor Lake, and the Blacksburg community. He began attending the Blacksburg Baptist Church as a cadet and has been an active member ever since.

Dr. Skelton's greatest legacy is his love for his wife, his children, and the many friends he has known from all walks of life. Dr. Skelton is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Margaret G. Skelton; his son, John K. Skelton, of Blacksburg; and his daughter, Jean S. Montague; and his son-in-law, John W. Montague Jr., of Midlothian, Va. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Myrtle and Cleveland Skelton; his brother, C. Watson Skelton; his son, William E. Skelton Jr.; and his first wife, Virginia F. Skelton.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Traci Burke, Deborah Corbit, and all the caregivers who have helped Dr. Skelton this past year. We would also like to thank Dr. Harry McCoy, Dr. Ed Wilder, and the wonderful staff at Montgomery Regional Hospital.

The family will receive friends at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive SW., on Tuesday, September 2, 2008, from 5 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2008, at the Blacksburg Baptist Church with interment at Westview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the 4-H Educational Conference Center at Smith Mountain Lake or to Rotary International. All donations may be mailed to Dr. Doug McAlister, University Development, 902 Prices Fork Road (0336), Blacksburg, Va. 24061. Please earmark your donations for either 4-H or Rotary.
 

7/8/2008

Canine Helpers

The Rotary Club of Brisbane is proud to be the major sponsor of Canine Helpers for the next three years.  The sponsorship will be for $25,000 each year commencing from 2007/2008 and finishing in 2009/2010.

The presentation of the ‘show’ cheque for the total amount of $75,000 was made on Saturday, 2nd August 2008 at the Off Leash Area of New Farm Park in Brisbane. Canine Helpers Founder and Board Member, Nicole Hargreaves and Secretary Kate Jenian together with Dexter and Donny were there to accept the cheque from Immediate Past President Mel Evans, President Michael Kelly and President Elect Mike Mauger.

Imm Past President Mel Evans then presented the first cheque for $25,000 to Board Member Nicole Hargreaves on behalf of the Club.  He said that the Rotary Club of Brisbane was especially happy to be able to sponsor such a worthy cause that trained dogs to enabled people with disabilities to live a normal life.  Michael Kelly and Mike Mauger echoed his comments.

In response, Nicole thanked the Rotary Club of Brisbane for their generous sponsorship and said that for the past three years they had been working with insufficient funding, but this would now allow them to plan effectively, apply for more grants and, as a result, train more dogs to meet the growing demand. 

Other members of the Rotary Club of Brisbane and Canine Helpers, together with a number of dogs under training, were in attendance. We are grateful to the Rotary Club of Brisbane’s Treasurer Cameron Bishop for the photographs.

Dir Kevin Jenkins, IPP Mel Evans and Dir Michael Stephens	IPP Mel Evans, Donny, CH Sec Kate Jenian, Pres Michael Kelly, Dexter and Pres Elect Mike Mauger
With CH Founder Nicole Hargreaves	Another shot
And another!	Let me show you the money!
Dexter is looking for his share	Where are we going to put the badge?
Just here!	Pres Michael and Nicole with two of the trainers and their dogs