International Service End of Year Report (2000-2001)
by Les Lee
(FOR ISSUE AT DIST COUNCIL MTG ON 24 MAY 2001)
This report will replace the newsletter and my report to District Council. Much of the information now appears on the International Website. However for those without Computer access a copy of this report will be made available to the Executive and International Service Chairman.
Approved, Awaiting Payment from Foundation
Children’s Family Homes in Sumy.
Approved, Awaiting Payment from Foundation
Mother and Baby Unit and repairs and security for playground at Orphanage in Sarajevo
Awaiting Final approval
Regular contact has been made with Foundation in order to progress the projects but they do seem to be most inefficient and require regular prompting.
The target to get the District to provide one Shelter Box by donating £10 has been surpassed as clubs have donated 9 boxes. All were sent to the Gujarat Disaster.
The project to sleep out in a tent at the RIBI Conference 2001 took place as arranged and over £1500 has been raised or pledged. That means about £750 to Shelter Box and £1500 for Polio Plus.
Good weather prevailed throughout the period and all three nights were spent in the tent. Both RI President Frank Devlyn and RIBI President Norman Proctor made a visit and joined us in a glass of wine. Although I got the impression from some, "that Rotarians don’t do this sort of thing" in general our presence added interest that attracted much attention for Shelter Box.
I thank the members of the clubs in District 1260 for their generous support
As a result of the communications following the Gujarat Disaster some lessons have been learnt. Some were a result of information from RIBI. RIBI now have a Co-ordinator who will be putting forward proposals for improving support for Rapid Disaster Response. Rapid Disaster Response is the response that is necessary within the first ten days to save life and should not be confused with disaster relief that needs to continue after that period. Much of the work is therefore related to preplanning.
A number of clubs did not send in their plans for the year. I trust we will get a better
response firstly with the end of year reports and the plans for next year. I realise
completing these returns are a bit of a drag but they don’t take long and help us and
RIBI to agree future strategy but more importantly the information can be used for
publicity. "How many Rotarians complain about the lack of publicity"?
With the changes to this project Foundation are still pursuing the 3H Goat Project.
Following a statement at the RIBI Assembly that in RIBI we don’t carry out WCS
Projects we need to know if any club in the district has a humanitarian project with
another Rotary Club in another country. Please let me have the details as these should be
registered as WCS Projects.
The International Website was demonstrated at conference and action is now being updated
regularly
It can be accessed on www.rotary1260.org/users/intnational or through a link with the District Website.
Guru Guruswamy has spent many hours getting the information on the site and I trust members will use it more in future. Rtn. Roger Munday of Luton North has also given help.
The International Stand at the District Conference was based on disaster relief with the
Shelterbox tent as the centre-piece. Regrettably due to layout and timing many Rotarians
did not visit the stands in the Hall of Friendship.
The Group session was very successful with a presentation by Leslie Robertson on the Gujarat Disaster. The power point presentation also ran continuously on the International stand.
Resulting from a contact between Peter and Jean Hawkins and PDG. Paul Denton a message was
put out on the e group about equipment available from a school closing down in Welwyn
Garden. This was picked up by the DISC who contacted the organisations SchoolAid and
Labaid both based in Amersham. Schoolaid sends items to village schools in Zimbabwe and
Labaid have a wider area of supply. Delighted with the equipment and books available
another message was sent out requesting help with sorting packing and loading the items
onto a lorry kindly supplied by the local authority.
District Governor Derek turned up in two guises as Rotary’s senior official to meet the representative of the Zimbabwe High Commission and then went home in order to return to help with the practical work. About 15 Rotarians in all from the Local clubs turned up on the two to three days to help.
The items have now been sent to Zimbabwe at no cost by Zimbabwe Air.
I big thank you to all those who identified the project and gave invaluable help with such short notice.
This is one of those events that mix work with fellowship and costs very little but time.
Since the disaster hit Gujarat in India, Leslie Robertson has visited the area and
provided a first class photographic record of the disaster in CD form. The CD has been
circulated widely and as a result of Leslie’s drive and energy RIBI has committed
£70,000 for the rebuilding of a new village. The project will use funds from that
collected through the RIBI appeal. Leslie’s club Luton North and the club in Gujarat
will manage the project. It is anticipated that some houses will be ready for occupation
when Leslie visits the Area at the end of May.
A meeting of the 2001 / 2002 committee has taken place and the plan for the year ahead presented at District Assembly on the 10th May 2001.
I should like to record my thanks to the District International Committee of Guru Guruswamy, Roy Lester, Peter Meads, Alan Cox and Roger Bodley for their support throughout the year. I am pleased that they will continuing next year and will be joined by Colin Kidby, Colin Rodwell, John Austin and Simon Thair.
Finally thank you to Club International Service Chairman and Members who have made a valuable contribution to world peace and understanding by their actions to relieve pain and suffering throughout the world.
Best Wishes for another successful and enjoyable Rotary Year