District Governor, Rotarian Olufemi Adenekan’s Message For November 2024 – “The Rotary Foundation Month”

The Rotary Foundation Month

Fellow Rotarians,

I am delighted to welcome you to November, the fifth month of the Rotary year, which Rotary International designates as Rotary Foundation Month. The Foundation has always been a vital arm of Rotary International, consistently serving as the driving force behind our impactful service projects worldwide. This month, we are encouraged to support the Foundation through our donations and active participation in its programmes. Beyond donating, we are called upon to advocate within our communities for financial support towards the various initiatives and projects the Foundation undertakes at both the District and Rotary International levels.

Over the years, our Foundation has funded billions of dollars for impactful projects across the seven areas of focus globally. Within our district, clubs have benefitted from the Foundation’s support through District Grants and Global Grant project funding. I recall the many projects addressing Peace Building and Conflict Prevention, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water, Hygiene and Sanitation, Maternal and Child Health, Community Economic Development, Basic Education and Literacy, and Environmental Protection that the Foundation has enabled through clubs since Arch C. Klumph’s visionary proposal in 1917 to “do good in the world.” It is therefore crucial that all Rotarians ensure we contribute and seek donations from individuals and corporate bodies for the Foundation’s various funds, such as the Annual Fund and Endowment Fund. Information on these can be found in Rotary International literature and on My Rotary.

This year, Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Mark has challenged every Rotary District to raise one million dollars for the Foundation. As a district, we are committed to working towards this goal. I urge us to explore innovative ways to secure support from individuals and organisations. Even amidst economic challenges, we must maintain our commitment to supporting the PolioPlus Fund, the Annual Fund, and the Endowment Fund, just as we continue to breathe regardless of the air quality around us.

I want to thank all Rotarians who have donated to the Rotary Foundation this year and encourage everyone to contribute, no matter how modestly—even a donation of ten dollars or more makes a difference.

I also encourage you to consider leveraging the Foundation’s resources through District Grants and Global Grants to enhance your club’s impact in your communities. By joining forces as clubs to implement significant, transformative projects, we can create sustainable, high-impact initiatives that uplift the less privileged in our communities.

At the district level, we are prepared to support you in reaching your project funding goals. I invite you to join us on 7th November 2024 at Bank PHB Hall, Rotary Centre, for yhe Rotary Foundation seminar designed to provide you with the essential information and tools to make a difference through your donations and those of friends and partner organisations.

In closing, I extend my gratitude for the impactful projects you have already implemented in your communities over the past four months of this Rotary year, many of which I have had the honour of commissioning on behalf of your clubs. Thank you for the privilege, and let us sustain this momentum. Our goal remains to make the world a better place through humanitarian service projects that transform lives within our communities and beyond, all through the Magic of Rotary.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Olufemi Adenekan
Pioneer District Governor
Rotary International District 9112