You can use these Rotary Foundation Minutes each week at one of your meetings– do something often enough and soon it becomes habit. Our members need to hear about The Rotary Foundation every single week – not the point of routine and boredom – but always something new and exciting.

As Club President, you could read the moment but a more effective way is to have different member each week read a moment, thereby increasing the ownership of the Foundation by and among the club members.

Rotary Foundation Minute #1 ~
“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
The Rotary Foundation was started with a gift of $26.50 from the Rotary Club of Kansas City in 1917 – the leftover profit from the international convention that year. Earlier that same year, Rotary’s 6th president, Arch Klumph, had suggested the creation of just such a fund and the first gift was a direct response to that suggestion.
Every Rotarian Every Year is a reminder to all of us to donate generously to the Foundation and to do so at least annually.”

Rotary Foundation Minute #2 ~
“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
The Rotary Foundation was originally established, “… for the purpose of doing good in the world in charitable, educational, and other avenues of community service…”. It took eleven (11) years – from 1917 to 1928 – before the Foundation had assets of $5,000. In 1930 the very first grant was made to the International Society for Crippled Children – later to be known as the Easter Seals organization.
Every Rotarian Every Year is a reminder to all of us to donate generously to the Foundation and to do so at least annually.”

Rotary Foundation Minute #3 ~
“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
The Rotary Foundation, begun in 1917, wasn’t really a major component of Rotary until Founder Paul Harris’ death in 1947. On that occasion, and for purposes of memorializing Paul, more than $1 million was contributed. Shortly thereafter the first program of the Foundation was established: Fellowship for Advanced Study -- the forerunner to the now-popular Ambassadorial Scholars program.
Every Rotarian Every Year is a reminder to all of us to donate generously to the Foundation and to do so at least annually.”

Rotary Foundation Minute #4 ~
“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
The popular Group Student Exchange Program of The Rotary Foundation was not launched until the 60th anniversary of Rotary – in 1965. As a result of the Group Study Exchange program, thousands of people from more than 100 countries around the world have experienced and benefited from the culture and the hospitality of countries other than their own. This is the Rotary approach to making the world a better place.
Every Rotarian Every Year is a reminder to all of us to donate generously to the Foundation and to do so at least annually.”

Rotary Foundation Minute #5 ~
“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
Since its beginning in 1917 with a contribution of $26.50, the Rotary Foundation has received in excess of $1 billion. Unlike many Foundations that use a significant portion of earnings and assets to pay administrative expenses, the Rotary Foundation has always applied 100% of its donations – largely from individual Rotarians – directly to Rotary programs, such as ambassadorial scholarships, Group Study Exchange Teams, and matching grants for world community service.
Every Rotarian Every Year is a reminder to all of us to donate generously to the Foundation and to do so at least annually.”

Rotary Foundation Minute #6 ~
“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
Since its beginning in 1917 with a contribution of $26.50, the Rotary Foundation has received in excess of $1 billion. More than ¼ (25%) of this total has been applied directly to the eradication of polio around the globe. The original polio plus campaign took place in the mid-1980s with a subsequent campaign in 2002-2003. With the partnership of the United Nations, World Health Organization, and the Gates Foundation, Rotary has successfully eradicated polio from 99.9% of the world – such a small but very significant and vitally important one-tenth of one-percent remains.
Every Rotarian Every Year is a reminder to all of us to donate generously to the Foundation and to do so at least annually.”

Rotary Foundation Minute #7 ~
“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
The Rotary Foundation provides more money for scholarships than the Rhodes and Fulbright programs combined. Why then, do you suppose, are Rotary Scholars almost entirely invisible when it comes to publicity? Perhaps it’s because most of us in this room seldom take a moment to talk about this incredible gift to the world – a gift we’ve been giving since 1948.
Every Rotarian Every Year is a reminder to all of us to donate generously to the Foundation and to do so at least annually.”

Rotary Foundation Minute #8 ~
“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
The Rotary Foundation is unparalleled in its efficiency. 100% of all donations received are applied directly to educational and humanitarian programs; no donations are used for administrative or fund raising costs. The trustees of the Rotary Foundation are volunteer Rotarians – just like you and me.
Every Rotarian Every Year is a reminder to all of us to donate generously to the Foundation and to do so at least annually.”

Rotary Foundation Minute #9 ~

“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
When you and I make our donations to The Rotary Foundation, we do so knowing that 50% of that donation will come right back to our District to be used for educational and humanitarian programs chosen by us. Even the other 50% comes back to us indirectly because it’s used to match a variety of world community service projects. Our gifts to the Foundation help the world while simultaneously they are rooted deeply right here in our club and in our community.
Every Rotarian Every Year is a reminder to all of us to donate generously to the Foundation and to do so at least annually.”

Rotary Foundation Minute #10 ~
(The reader/ president will need to have done his/her homework prior to reading this one.)
“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
I want you to know how easy it is to make a gift on-line to The Rotary Foundation. I did it myself just yesterday. I logged on to the www.rotary.org web site (which I keep as one of my favourites), and then I clicked on “Member Access”, typed in my password, typed in my credit card number, the amount of my (six-figure) gift, and then clicked, “submit”. It was so fun that I might do it again next week!
Every Rotarian Every Year is a reminder to all of us to donate generously to the Foundation and to do so at least annually.”

Rotary Foundation Minute #11 ~
“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
When you complete your 1st $1,000 gift to The Rotary Foundation you can be named a “Paul Harris Fellow” – or, you can choose to name someone else. Your 1st $1,000 is a very important plateau because it gets you started on the lifelong journey of multiple $1,000 gifts, all of which are recognized by special pins and memorabilia from The Foundation if you desire. You don’t have to give $1,000 all at one time –you can accumulate a number of smaller gifts over a few years to reach those important benchmarks.
Every Rotarian Every Year is a reminder to all of us to donate generously to the Foundation and to do so at least annually.”

Rotary Foundation Minute #12 ~
“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
As you probably know, November is Rotary Foundation Month, and so the programs of our club are highlighting the 4th avenue of service in a special way for the entire month.
The Haiti Safe Water Plus project, coordinated by District leaders for the benefit of all 58 clubs, has become a multi-million dollar, centerpiece world community service project that exemplifies the powerful impact that Rotarians can have in the world. Fresh water wells and sanitation facilities are being constructed at this very moment in the central plateau area of Haiti. Fewer kids are dying – that’s what making a difference is all about.
Every Rotarian Every Year is a reminder to all of us to donate generously to the Foundation and to do so at least annually.”

Rotary Foundation Minute #13 ~
“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
As you probably know, November is Rotary Foundation Month, and so the programs of our club are highlighting the 4th avenue of service in a special way for the entire month.
Safe drinking water and functional sanitation facilities are making life more bearable for several families in Hinche, Haiti. Our Foundation contributions are making this multi-million dollar world community service project possible. Many Rotarians are contributing hands-on by actually going to Haiti – you might want to be among them; another group leaves soon. Fewer kids are dying as a result of us – that’s what being a Rotarian is all about.
Every Rotarian Every Year is a reminder to all of us to donate generously to the Foundation and to do so at least annually.”

Rotary Foundation Minute #14 ~
“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
As you probably know, November is Rotary Foundation Month, and so the programs of our club are highlighting the 4th avenue of service in a special way for the entire month.
Rotarians decided 3 years ago, in a major way, to do something more than just talk about world peace. We Rotarians established seven Centers for Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution around the globe – two in the United States. Our Foundation donations support the brightest and the best young scholars from a variety of nations as they develop skills and attitudes that prepare them for leadership positions in our increasingly complex world. Peace comes at a price --
Every Rotarian Every Year is a reminder to all of us to donate generously to the Foundation and to do so at least annually.”

Rotary Foundation Minute #15 ~
“Today’s Rotary Foundation Minute is provided as a reminder to ALL of us that the Foundation is the primary way in which we are involved in the 4th avenue of service – international service – our crown jewel.
.......

As you probably know, November is Rotary Foundation Month, and so the programs of our club are highlighting the 4th avenue of service in a special way for the entire month.