Month: January 2013

 by Steve Solbrack, District 5950 Int’l Service Projects

RI’s improved grant-making model, Future Vision, will help clubs develop projects with greater impact. Tested in 100 districts around the world for the past three years, the new model streamlines the grant application process and gives clubs and districts easier access to The Rotary Foundation.

The new process rolls out in District 5950 with The Rotary Foundation 2.0 Grant Management Sem-inar. During this fun and interactive session your club’s president-elect or other representative will:

• Find out how to develop a grant proposal.
• Meet potential collaborators from other clubs.
• Pick up new ideas from your colleagues.
• Find out how to successfully manage the new financial
  and stewardship controls.
• Receive the District qualification necessary to apply
  for a matching grant.
• Leave with the confidence and knowledge to initiate
  an exciting project for your club.

Rogers Rotarians remember the thrill of Charter Night in May 2006. Now we are an established club participating in the district-wide welcome
to our newest counterpart, the Rotary Club of North Minneapolis. Thank you, Kevin Casserly, for representing Rogers Rotary and presenting our cash gift to the new club.

The Rotarian magazine generally takes us to the far corners of the world each month. So it was a surprise and treat to read the one-page feature about a local St. Paul Rotarian.

“Boat captain writes new chapter in retirement” (page 13 of the February issue) introduces us to Jim Kosmo, a former military man who made his career as a Mississippi River tour boat captain. In retirement he was appointed as a business representative to the MN National Guard. Kosmo helped a wounded war vet tell his story in an award-wining book, Still Standing. That experience moved him to start a service for aspiring writers called Author’s Advocate. More vets are telling their dramatic and poignant stories because of this service.

The Rotarian interview asks Kosmo about scholarships he began at the riverboat company and his own Rotary club. “The Second Century Scholarship Fund started in recognition of the Rotary Club of St. Paul’s 100th anniversary in 2010,” Korsmo writes.

— RI News

Thank you to all those at United for their generosity and the opportunity to participate in United’s 10 Million Charity Miles Giveaway. And thank you to everyone who voted for us. We couldn’t have done it without your participation and persistence.

For the miles giveaway, Rotary International officially came in second place and will receive 2,501,338 charity miles from United. Rotarians will use the miles for humanitarian missions, such as transporting sick children to hospitals and National Immunization Days for polio eradication. Last year, Rotary received 2,488,070 charity miles from the giveaway. Miles aren’t used for travel for RI staff or Rotary senior leaders.

Rotary congratulates the Shriners Hospitals for Children which took first place this year.