July 9, 2025 • 43 mins
Today I'm talking to Annual Giving Officer for Zone 32 Rebecca Silber.
Yes we will be talking a bit about the Rotary Foundation, but mostly we are talking about the money we all give to the foundation. Where dose it go? Who gets it? What projects get the money first? And how can your club can get some of these funds to help you bring that "Rotary Magic" to the world.
Join us!
Join me as I talk to those "amazing people turning their Actions 2 Impact all over the world. #BE THE CHANGE
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Hi there, everyone.
I'm Gwen Jones, and welcome onceagain to the Action to Impact
podcast, the weekly podcastwhere I introduce you to people
from all over the world that aresimply turning their actions
into impact.
And this week, we're talkingRotary Foundation.
(00:20):
Now, before your eyes roll,we've got a few spins to add to
the words Rotary Foundation.
Rachel Silber is joining me.
She She happens to be the annualgiving officer for Zone 32.
And Rachel and I had a greatconversation about who gets the
money.
That's right.
(00:41):
We know that the RotaryFoundation, we give to it and it
gives back to us.
But who gets the money?
Rachel is one of those peoplewho can tell you who does and
how you can be one of the peoplewho does.
Did that make sense?
Join me, won't you?
We're talking Rotary Foundation,we're talking where the money
(01:04):
goes, and we're talking to youstarting right now.
Welcome back to the podcast,everyone.
This is one of those new shows.
Remember the Action to Impactpodcast?
I'm still Gwen, but I have a newguest, which is important.
Rebecca Silber is joining me,and we got to know each other at
(01:28):
Assembly here in the Northeast.
She decided to spend a littletime with me on the microphone.
She is the annual giving officerfor Zone 32, and she's going to
explain exactly what that is.
She hangs out there at aRotary's big headquarters.
And obviously she does somethingabout giving.
So let's receive a little bit ofher wonderful wisdom right now.
(01:52):
Miss Rebecca, thank you so muchfor joining me on the show.
It's lovely to have you.
I'm excited to be here.
Thank you for having me, Gwen.
Sure.
Well, let's get the big elephantout of the room.
What the hell is an annualgiving officer?
Oh my gosh.
Annual, you just have to do itjust like once a year.
That's it.
Right.
Is that it?
SPEAKER_01 (02:15):
I would say I wish that was the case, but I
actually am glad that it's not.
So an annual giving officer,specifically at Rotary, what we
do, and there is a team of usthat work with different zones.
So it's really
SPEAKER_00 (02:27):
officers?
SPEAKER_01 (02:28):
Officers.
So I am an officer.
There are many officers.
I think there's, oh gosh, eightor nine of us at this point.
And so what we do is we eachhave a territory.
For instance, mine is zone 32.
Gotcha.
Right.
Right.
(03:01):
aware of how they can engagewith the Rotary Foundation,
either through or in a fewdifferent ways, but through
giving is one of those waysthat, of course, you can engage
with the Rotary Foundation.
And while I am, in fact, afundraiser, I do think that it's
more important to know that theRotary Foundation is here for
you all So you can use the moneythat you raise to do great
(03:24):
things in the world.
And I think that that is maybethe most important thing that I
try to really convey everysingle day is that your money
that you give to the RotaryFoundation, it's all about going
back to your communities and thecommunities that you serve,
whether that's locally orglobally.
SPEAKER_00 (03:42):
And I do want to touch on that because I think
when it comes to the RotaryFoundation, first of all,
there's like, differentcompartments, right?
Because there's the RotaryFoundation that does Polio Plus.
And we spend a lot of time onPolio Plus and, you know,
Michael McGovern's friend of theshow, big man on campus there at
Polio Plus.
(04:03):
Okay.
So we love Polio Plus.
Yes.
We have these universities.
Cool.
Very cool.
We make these peace fellows thatgo all over the world and say,
make love, not war.
Yes.
They don't say that, but youknow what I mean?
Yes.
UNKNOWN (04:18):
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (04:19):
Then we have this kind of third part, which is,
oh, by the way, if you raisemoney, the foundation will help
you.
And we have had your folks onsaying just that.
Yes.
And my question is, hi, I'm GwenJones from this small little
club.
How on earth would I ever getsome of that money from that big
(04:42):
pot?
That's the foundation.
Like how do we get said money?
Yes.
SPEAKER_01 (04:47):
So the, I would say easiest, quickest way to do that
is to have an active, to makesure you're active with your
district grants.
So your club, for example,should be active with their
district to make sure thatthey're getting district grant
(05:09):
money.
So for instance, I actuallylooked up Zone 32 as a whole.
Where is Zone 32?
Just remind us.
Oh, that's a great.
Thank you for asking.
So Zone 32 is basically fromPhiladelphia up to western parts
of Maine.
OK.
Also, we have the tiniest sliverof Canada.
(05:29):
It's Sherbrooke.
It's just north of Vermont.
Basically, I like to say kind ofthe northeast minus a large part
of Maine.
But yes, the
SPEAKER_00 (05:38):
northeast, but not Maine.
OK,
SPEAKER_01 (05:40):
gotcha.
SPEAKER_00 (05:41):
That's one of those question marks for me.
I don't know.
Mainers will tell you they'rekind of their own species.
SPEAKER_01 (05:47):
Understood.
SPEAKER_00 (05:47):
Yeah.
UNKNOWN (05:48):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (05:49):
We do have a little bit of Maine and I love that.
But I mean, Mike McGovern's inthat district.
SPEAKER_00 (05:54):
Yes,
SPEAKER_01 (05:55):
he is.
Start on a district level.
So on a district level, I wouldalso say on a club level.
Hopefully your club is engagedin a district grant every single
year.
So that's where the kind of theannual giving comes in is you
should be hopefully raisingmoney every single year so that
you can reach out to yourdistrict and say, hey, those
(06:16):
district designated funds thatmy members give to every year,
hopefully through the annualfund, we want that money back.
And we want that money back inthe form of a district grant.
And so Zone 32, this programyear, which is coming to an end,
so 2025, did use over$1 millionin district-designated funds for
(06:38):
district grants.
And I'm seeing that eachdistrict...
Yes, right?
And I don't think that yourealize that these are dollars.
That's some serious dinero,people.
It really is.
It really, really is.
And that's just districtdesignated funds.
That's just just.
I
SPEAKER_00 (06:54):
shouldn't say just.
That's just in a district.
A million bucks was spent in thedistrict.
Is that a correct statement?
In the districts of Zone
SPEAKER_01 (07:02):
32.
SPEAKER_00 (07:03):
Yes.
So of all 32.
So they've got their own funds.
And this foundation coughed upanother million dollars as well.
Right.
And
SPEAKER_01 (07:13):
that's in addition to global grant funding and kind
of if you have any other, gosh,like global grants are also, you
know, scholarships.
I mean, all kinds of things,water projects, health.
I mean, so the districtdesignated that million in Zone
32.
Yes, was the Northeast UnitedStates got back a million
(07:36):
dollars.
So, I mean.
I know that some clubs, forinstance, they reach out to
their districts through thedistrict grant process and say,
hey, you know, we need$1,000 tohelp get books for our library.
Right.
And I know a lot of people say,well, what about my club
foundation?
Because I know a lot of clubshave those separate entities.
I love to say that a rising tidelifts all ships.
(08:00):
So if your club has$1,000 togive towards a book drive for
library, a library in yourcommunity and you get another
thousand from districtdesignated funds, that's$2,000.
So you can really piece it alltogether.
So we're here to make sure thatthat money is in existence.
You can get it back to do greatin your communities.
(08:20):
That's
SPEAKER_00 (08:21):
so, yes.
Yeah.
And I, and I'm sorry tointerrupt, but, but I think it's
really important to say that youjust started there with a
thousand bucks.
Cause they hit rotary magazineare like, Oh, you guys gave
$250,000 to make such and suchto such and such, which is
great.
And I think in some ways, someof the smaller clubs, now I'm
(08:42):
going, I'm in a club now inBeverly that has 100 members.
I come from a club that had 40members.
And so when we look, and when wewere looking at$250,000, we were
like, wow, nice to be them.
And I think there are some clubsthat are hearing my voice around
the world that are like, You'retelling me I could get a
(09:03):
thousand bucks from Rebecca?
Yeah, yes.
That doesn't sound nearly asscary as the other stuff.
SPEAKER_01 (09:10):
Yeah, because of that million that I mentioned
for all of Zone 32, each projectwas about$2,000.
That was the average project.
So, yeah.
So, I mean, think about all ofthe projects that are happening
now.
Gosh, I should have done mymath.
I know that it was like everydistrict is averaging about 26
grants, you know,$2,000 grants,but then that means there's some
(09:33):
that of course are more thanthat.
Cause that math doesn't reallymath.
I'm sorry.
I
SPEAKER_00 (09:38):
was going to say, of course, I mean, there are, I
mean, you can't write an articleabout the$250,000 one if there
isn't something going there.
SPEAKER_01 (09:45):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (09:46):
Yeah.
So, yeah.
So
SPEAKER_01 (09:48):
I just like, and that's kind of, why I love my
job is I know that every singleRotarian has the ability to make
really, really great impact intheir communities at that level,
that 2000 level, you know, everysingle year, as long as they're
making sure that they'renavigating that grants process.
SPEAKER_00 (10:09):
Navigating that grants process.
I know, I know.
You just deflated the balloonbecause there's a whole bunch of
people that were off to theirdistrict going, oh my God, what
happened to me?
Rebecca said I could have athousand bucks.
Yeah.
But the grants process, I mean,that I know some people are just
(10:30):
like, well, that's too hard.
Is it too hard?
SPEAKER_01 (10:33):
I don't think so.
I will say every district at thedistrict, the district
designated grants that we'retalking about, every district
does have the grants.
discretion to change thatprocess a little bit.
So maybe it's, Oh, you know,your club has to have given, you
know, a hundred percent of yourmembers have to have given in
(10:54):
order to get a grant or, youknow, I know that districts make
those types of discretionarykind of caveats.
I don't know a better word rightnow.
But I think at that districtlevel, usually it is pretty,
simple as long as you just kindof go down the checklist.
And in my experience, everydistrict leader, whether it's a
(11:17):
district Rotary Foundation chairor a district grants officer, or
sorry, district grantssubcommittee chair, excuse me, I
don't think I've ever had onesay, oh, no, I wouldn't help a
club with that process.
I mean, yeah, I think that,sorry, I know that Rotarians are
incredibly helpful people.
(11:37):
And so The people in those tworoles that I mentioned, district
Rotary Foundation chair anddistrict grants subcommittee
chair, they're in those rolesbecause they really want to make
sure that money gets used andput to good use.
SPEAKER_00 (11:52):
So is the quote unquote everyday Rotarian kind
of their own worst enemy when itcomes to this stuff that
sometimes we don't just ask forhelp?
I think that's everybody.
SPEAKER_01 (12:02):
Okay, Rotarians, we have an issue here.
Actually, I think the one thingI could impart on every single
Rotarian is if you have aroadblock, if you have an issue,
there is definitely somebodyeither in your district or at
Rotary International who iswaiting to hear from you.
SPEAKER_00 (12:25):
Okay.
And I, and I think that's reallyrefreshing because I, you know,
I, on this show, we really dolike to break myths.
We break them all the time and,you know, but you guys are the
high castle on the hill.
Yes.
You know, and I don't think alot of Rotarians believe that.
(12:45):
I mean, they would rather sitthere in the trenches than go
help, please, you know?
And so is that, I mean, thatcould kind of be our own
problem.
I
SPEAKER_01 (12:55):
think it might be.
And I think if you flip thataround of, you know,
libertarians are always wantingto help people.
Let us help you.
Let us help the helpers.
Yeah.
Like, doctor, heal thyself.
Right, right.
Like, maybe you're getting tothe actual, like, kind of kernel
of maybe one of our biggest painpoints is healing.
(13:18):
I know as somebody who is verypassionate about helping others,
sometimes it's hard to ask forhelp myself.
And I feel like maybe...
Amen, sister.
...things can be said aboutRotarians.
Please let us help you.
I think that's my biggest kindof...
grumble on the team I work on iswe just wish more people would
(13:38):
reach out to us, mostly at thedistrict level.
We usually work with thedistrict level and the regional
level so that they can get allof that information to Rotarians
and clubs.
We really do wish more peoplewould put us to use every single
day.
SPEAKER_00 (13:52):
Yeah.
So do you guys get a budgetevery year?
So as this is being recorded, weare pretty much mid-June.
We are We are seniors in highschool.
We're going to slide our waythrough the last few weeks of
the road.
Does that mean July 1st, you'regoing to get a new chunk of
(14:13):
money?
And as of this next two weeks,you're trying to get every
single dime out the door?
Is this a very interesting time?
Oh, that's a really goodquestion.
Do you give away all the money?
SPEAKER_01 (14:25):
Well, I will say...
So I'm not a grants officer, soI don't really know whether or
not they're in like a tizzyright now to get dollars out the
SPEAKER_00 (14:36):
door.
You get a loan in.
Right, right.
I would
SPEAKER_01 (14:40):
have to defer to my colleagues in the grants
department on that one.
But I do know that forRotarians, for those district
dollars, there is a timeline.
So You have to use the...
This is where it gets really...
This is where we understand thatit gets complicated and we're so
(15:01):
happy to walk you through theprocess because it is...
Go for it.
We're here.
Okay.
So through the annual fund shareprogram, you give...
a Rotarian, any donor, not justRotarians, but mostly Rotarians
give.
And then three years later,those district designated funds
come back to your district.
Those
SPEAKER_00 (15:19):
million dollars.
So the more you're just, soguys, just, I'm going to stop
her right here by saying themore that you give in your
district, the more that comesback to your district.
And I don't know how many timesI've said that on this show, but
if you're just like, if you're,if everybody in your district is
just giving to polio plus guesswhat?
(15:40):
You're awesome.
But none of those funds arecoming back to your district.
They're going to polio.
There is a difference.
I would say you're awesome.
SPEAKER_01 (15:51):
And none of those funds are...
SPEAKER_00 (15:54):
You're awesome.
Thank you.
I'm a polio annual giver.
So, you know, but I know thatnone of them are heading back to
my district.
Correct.
Is that correct?
Correct.
Yes.
SPEAKER_01 (16:07):
Okay.
So...
So yes, so going back to thetimeline.
So if your district did not useall of their district designated
funds for the year, they do rollover to the next year.
However, I know, however, thenyour district has more
(16:28):
restrictions on how they canspend those dollars.
So yes,
SPEAKER_00 (16:33):
I know.
So the way to look at it is, Ifyou don't use your money, we're
going to penalize you for not.
No, no.
SPEAKER_01 (16:40):
If you don't use your money in that program year,
then you have, then you, I'mgoing to just be a real, real
difficult right now.
Then you can choose to use it togive to things like polio
eradication through just, youknow, but I will say this.
It's just, you can't use them asdistrict designated funds for
district grants anymore.
(17:01):
So it just becomes, yeah.
So it's, yeah.
Let me see.
I'm going to totally pleasedon't quote me on this.
I don't think I'm going to getall of them, but I know you can
direct it to polio.
You can direct centers.
And I believe you can alsodirect it to global grants that
other districts are doing.
I want to say that's the piecethat I get a little foggy on.
(17:25):
But you can still direct it.
Your district can still directit elsewhere.
It's just you can't use it.
in those district designatedgrants.
SPEAKER_00 (17:33):
So let's face it, that's a lot of money.
That just doesn't go to work.
Is that correct?
And
SPEAKER_01 (17:38):
that's why you need to be working with your
districts and your districts.
Hopefully you're working veryclosely with us at the
foundation to get those dollarsspent in your communities.
And the way that you, and thatyou as a donor want them to be
spent, because I don't know anydonor who says, who's gives to
an annual fund and says, pleasedon't spend these dollars.
(17:59):
Please keep these and never usethem.
So, yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (18:03):
And I think that's really important.
So if you're driving and yourcar right now and you're
listening to our voices and yougave to the annual fund, if your
district is not dotting every Iand crossing every T and working
with their district governor,then you've given money to
someplace else.
I mean, that's kind of down anddirty what you're saying.
(18:25):
I mean, it does percolate forthree years.
It does percolate for threeyears.
And I know you said that, but Iwonder if Because I know for a
fact on a district level at50-50, I know there's been some
years we have not given away allthe money.
And I don't think I knew thatuse it or lose it is actually
(18:48):
something that is very true.
My words, use it
SPEAKER_01 (18:53):
or lose it.
SPEAKER_00 (18:55):
Or have it go
SPEAKER_01 (18:55):
somewhere else.
Have it go to one of the otherfantastic things that the
foundation does and thatRotarians are committed to all
over the world.
SPEAKER_00 (19:03):
And that's because Rebecca, you work for them and
you're going to use those nicewords.
And I'm going to say, look here,people, get your P's and Q's
together because if you don'tuse it, Rebecca and her staff
are happy to put it to worksomewhere else, which could also
be a great thing.
I'm not Mocking all those otherthings.
(19:24):
Global grants still happen withthose
SPEAKER_01 (19:26):
dollars.
Yes.
And I will also say this.
Your district still has to, oncethose district designated funds
are no longer available.
for the district grants, yourdistrict then does decide
eventually where they go,
SPEAKER_00 (19:40):
so.
Okay, so it's not like you andyour group like pour a glass of
wine and go, we have all thismoney.
No, your
SPEAKER_01 (19:47):
district still needs to decide where those dollars,
which funds they go to.
Yes.
And actually, the other thing isin this to really, oh, gosh,
really, really love complexityat the foundation.
After a few years, you can alsodesignate those dollars to go to
an endowment fund that yourdistrict then gets the proceeds
(20:08):
from the investments.
So, like, really, if you want toget I know, I know you're
SPEAKER_00 (20:14):
getting thick in the weeds.
And so then, of course, that'sthat's going to lead the
question, is the foundation justso good?
So I will
SPEAKER_01 (20:24):
say that, yes,
SPEAKER_00 (20:26):
we are
SPEAKER_01 (20:28):
very complicated because of, I think, all of the
fantastic people who raise moneyevery single year for us.
And I say that, I know I'm astaff fundraiser, but the people
on the ground who are reallybeating the bushes saying, I
love the foundation.
I'm a Rotarian, please give.
And that's one of our biggestsuccesses is we have so many
(20:51):
people on the ground sayingthat.
That money is, it's a large potof money.
And so we need to make sure it'sstewarded and spent in the way
that makes the most sense foryou all and your wishes.
But because of this big numberof this big amount that does not
get spent, we've had to makesure that it can be spent in a
(21:12):
way that makes the most sensefor you all.
And that's why this endowmentthing is happening, because we
want you to have that moneyback.
And this also goes to, I don'tknow if you're aware of this,
Gwen, but in 2021, it wasdecided by the Board of Trustees
that after five years of rollingover those district designated
(21:32):
funds, we are going to make itrequired that districts
designate those funds somewherebecause there were districts who
were sitting on those dollarsyear after year after year.
And again, that's not theintention of a donor.
When they give those dollars,they want them to be spent.
So that is why we eventually didsay, you know what, districts
(21:55):
can then roll that money into anendowment fund for their own
district to be then invested inAnd the spendable earnings can
be then used in the district.
I'm going to like asterisk allof this with, that's why we're
here to help you navigate that.
So if Rebecca and I haven'tconfused you enough already,
(22:18):
they're happy to take your call.
Share at rotary.org if you havequestions.
There's a fantastic team therethat can answer all of your
questions about anythingdistrict designated fund,
district designated fundrollover, or honestly, just
making sure that your districtis spending those dollars as
efficiently as possible.
SPEAKER_00 (22:39):
Which is a great thing for you to say, because as
we're recording this, like Isaid, we are near the end of the
Rotary year.
And I know for a fact that thereare quite a few district
governors that are going to behanded gab in the next couple of
weeks.
Happening right now.
I love seeing all the photos.
Happening right now.
In fact, I have two this comingweek that I am either emceeing
(23:00):
or doing.
So I have a very busy week aheadof me, as well as you do too,
getting ready for Calgary.
But so should we encourage thosenew district governors to go,
where can they go and see soap?
How much money do I have or howmuch money got rolled over?
Is there a place for them to seewhat their magic treasure chest
(23:21):
holds?
SPEAKER_01 (23:22):
Absolutely.
There are so many reports on myrotary.
I mean, district governors havealready made sign-ins.
I know they have.
Oh, good.
Logins.
So they have, especially asdistrict governors, they have
access to so many reports onthere.
And one of them is the availableDDF report.
(23:44):
Which would be new this year.
which as of July 1, actually, Imean, it gives you like a
three-year track too, to see.
SPEAKER_00 (23:50):
So I was going to say, okay, so the funds from
three years ago, so we'rerecording, this is 2025, 24, 23.
So the 2023 funds have nicelypercolated and they're ready to
go as of now.
Is that correct?
They will be.
Yes.
UNKNOWN (24:06):
Okay.
SPEAKER_01 (24:06):
And so, yeah.
And so your district governorcan see a lovely report on their
of all of the funds that areready to be spent that have
been, yeah, it's for the, it'sfor the current year that we're,
that we will be in by the timethis, this drops.
Yes.
Right.
SPEAKER_00 (24:21):
Yeah.
So then district governors, Ichallenge you all over the world
that hear my voice.
I'm very honored that, thatthere is, that this goes all
over the world.
So check that out and haveRebecca and her crew empty out
their coffers.
I mean, have we ever, Emptiedout a coffer in a year?
I mean, have we ever spent allthe money?
SPEAKER_01 (24:41):
The districts definitely have individually,
but absolutely not as a rotaryworld.
I mean, I've never seen a reportthat says that we have, so I'd
be shocked if it's everhappened.
Would that be cool?
Would you like that?
That would be super cool.
Think of all of the amazingthings that will have taken
place if we every year got ridof, got rid of, spent all of
(25:04):
that money.
Got rid of.
I can use those words.
Get
SPEAKER_00 (25:07):
it out
SPEAKER_01 (25:07):
of
SPEAKER_00 (25:08):
there because you got
SPEAKER_01 (25:08):
to
SPEAKER_00 (25:09):
make room for more.
SPEAKER_01 (25:11):
Make room for more.
And also, even more importantly,do the amazing projects that
you're doing, because I knowthat.
I know that my favorite part ofmy job is hearing all the great
things that are, that are beingdone with the dollars that you
put to work.
SPEAKER_00 (25:24):
It's inspiring.
It makes, it makes it easier foryou to go to work.
Absolutely.
SPEAKER_01 (25:28):
It's, it really is.
My favorite thing is hearingabout all of the great, like
just the, the people, the livesthat are impacted by the dollars
that you guys give and thengrant out.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (25:42):
So I guess the biggest question is how much
money are we talking about?
SPEAKER_01 (25:47):
Oh, goodness.
I mean, are you talking aboutthis current Rotary year that
we're closing?
SPEAKER_00 (25:53):
Yeah.
If you happen to know, I'm notasking you down to the Senate,
to the single cent, butestimated, how much money do we
have in different coffers,roughly, that we have the
opportunity to give out?
Yes.
So,
SPEAKER_01 (26:09):
I mean, annual fund...
Just by itself, worldwide, inthe rotary world, this year,
we've raised$147 million.
That's a lot of$1,000 grants.
That's a lot of$1,000 grants.
That's a lot, people.
Yes, yes.
So, I mean, again, that'sworldwide.
Sure.
(26:29):
In Zone 32, the number's around$3 million currently.
I think it's around$32 million.
It's amazing.
And actually, I shouldn't saycurrently.
Those are dollars as of end ofMay because I usually run my
reports towards the end of eachmonth.
And I think even moreimpressively, that's about 20%
(26:51):
up from the same time last year.
So we have really, and I say webecause it's everybody together
has really done a fantastic jobthis year of raising dollars and
more importantly saying this iswhat the dollars are going to
do.
And have been doing.
SPEAKER_00 (27:06):
So I have had officers from the foundation on
the show before, and sometimesthey do give gloom and doom that
it's more money, but it's moremoney by the same people.
SPEAKER_01 (27:23):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (27:23):
Okay.
So, you know, we've got theclump society people and that's
my goal.
I want to be a clumper one day.
Yeah.
I want, I think I even want ashirt that says I am a clumper.
Oh my gosh.
We haven't had shirts yet.
Maybe.
Yeah.
I think we could copyright.
I'm a clumper.
You're a clumper.
We should all be clumperstogether.
I mean, it could be great.
(27:44):
We'll have a whole, we'll,we'll, we'll, we'll talk about
swag later.
Yeah.
But, but is that, True.
Is it still kind of a smallamount of people giving all the
money or are we actually as anorganization really starting to
spread out and more voices areadding to the foundation these
days?
UNKNOWN (28:04):
Yes.
So.
SPEAKER_01 (28:05):
It's not, it kind of, I'm really trying to figure
out the best way to talk aboutthis.
I know that about- No one'slistening.
Just tell them.
Come on.
Well, I know that about 20% ofgifts, sorry, that's incorrect.
52% of gifts are given at$1,000or below.
Wow.
Okay.
So just about over half.
(28:26):
All right.
Worldwide.
Yes.
Yes.
So- I think that illustratesjust how important it is that
everybody gives because thegroundswell of people giving is
really what builds thosedollars.
And, of course, we have amazingdonors who give historic
numbers, you know, historicnumbers every single year.
SPEAKER_00 (28:47):
Absolutely.
SPEAKER_01 (28:48):
And we love that.
Of course we love that.
I mean, we could not get newpeace centers, you know,
dedicated without those types ofgifts, obviously.
UNKNOWN (28:57):
Sure.
SPEAKER_01 (28:58):
But I love knowing that so many people come
together to make such greatimpact.
I mean, I really do.
I do get chills and maybe I'm asentimental person, but I do get
chills knowing that Rotarians byand large do step up because
they know that it's important tostand behind the work that they
(29:18):
do.
SPEAKER_00 (29:20):
So.
Of course,$1,000 makes you aPaul Harris.
Isn't that correct?
So just to let you know that thefoundation people are the Paul
Harris pin people.
I do have a Paul Harris...
that I lost and then was givenback to me.
And I think it's funny.
(29:40):
And then I found my originalPaul Harris pin.
And so I have one before thefacelift and after the facelift.
Oh, that's so fun.
Yeah, you've got both versions.
So just to let you know, and forthe people who get that, get
that, go ahead and take a lookat your old Paul Harris pins.
He had a fabulous nip tuck bythe foundation.
A few years ago, he was gettinga little jowly.
(30:01):
Yes.
I don't have the old pin.
Yes.
Yeah.
So if you look at one of the oldpins and the people who get this
are cracking up right now, hewas a little jowly, a little
wrinkly.
He got himself a nice.
Now he's got, he's fabulous, butI'm sure he's spinning in his
grave, but so that is the PaulHarris.
(30:21):
You are the Paul Harris people.
Yeah.
And.
Just as a history geek, why dowe get Paul Harris pins?
Was that the initial, if youknow this question?
Oh, I don't actually.
So it's like, uh-oh.
So there's your homework.
(30:42):
Okay, yeah.
Or someone who's hearing myvoice.
I'm sure somebody knows.
Send Rebecca an email because wehave, you get a Paul Harris,
then you get a Paul Harris plusa pretty red pin.
dot and then a blue dot.
And then after you give them andgive them and give them, you
become a clumper or a, or abigger donor.
(31:03):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (31:04):
So yes, there's Paul Harris fellow.
There's Paul Harris fellow plusone all the way up to Paul
Harris fellow plus eight.
So once you get there, you'vegiven about a$9,000 donation.
Or, and again, because we lovecomplexity at the foundation,
somebody can make you a PaulHarris Fellow after they've
(31:25):
given$1,000 and they have 1,000points to give away.
It's incredibly unique.
I don't know any otherorganization that lets you give
your$1,000 and then alsorecognize somebody at a similar
or same level.
But I will also say this, afteryou've given$1,000,$10,000, and
(31:45):
that does have to be of your owndollar.
SPEAKER_00 (31:48):
Of your own money.
SPEAKER_01 (31:50):
So you can't get 10,000 points, but you have to
give the$10,000.
That's when you become a majordonor.
And I know that that's a veryspecial thing for people as
well.
They have a different pin.
There's all kinds of fun thingsthat come along with that too.
And I think it's lovely that wecelebrate people With those
(32:11):
wearable, you know, thosepieces, if you want to wear
them.
I also know people who are, youknow, Arch Clump Society members
who decide not to wear theirpins or decide not to, you know,
make a big deal about itnecessarily.
And we love everybody, no matterwhat, and what their decision is
to whether to wear those pins ornot.
(32:31):
And some actually, both MajorDonor and Arch Clump Society,
you can also ask for a pendantas well.
A pendant.
Oh, yes.
They're lovely.
SPEAKER_00 (32:41):
They are lovely.
Yes.
Unfortunately, you know, andit's funny because, you know,
this is audio, but I thinkmine's hanging on the door
there.
Oh, yes.
Oh, my God.
So, yeah.
All right.
That's okay.
SPEAKER_01 (32:55):
They're lovely.
I think
SPEAKER_00 (32:58):
my pendant is also
SPEAKER_01 (32:59):
pre-facelift, so
SPEAKER_00 (33:01):
good to know.
SPEAKER_01 (33:02):
And if you want a little bit of inside
information, I think I'm allowedto talk about this because I
think it's official.
official decision by the board,they are going to be getting
another facelift for major donortype.
All's looking good.
Yes.
I mean, we love everybodywrinkles and everything, but I
(33:25):
think, yes, but I just thinkthey wanted to make sure that
everything matches a little bitmore, you know, between the
different Versions of wearablerecognition.
So I hope I haven't spoken outof turn.
The rotary police can come afterme.
But yeah, my understanding isthe, the major donor pins and
such are about to get a littlebit of a facelift in to use your
words as well.
SPEAKER_00 (33:44):
Awesome.
Yeah.
So now I have to be, cause Ihave just a few more questions
for you.
I saved the very best for lastand that is Rebecca.
You have to fess up becauseyou're in charge of rotary
money, but you are not aRotarian.
I
SPEAKER_01 (33:59):
am not a Rotarian.
SPEAKER_00 (34:00):
So is that because Rotary likes to like separate
church and state?
Is there a reason why you'renot?
So what's up, girl?
Yeah.
So, I mean...
SPEAKER_01 (34:12):
I don't know if I have a great reason not to be a
Rotarian.
I'm going to say this aloud, andI'm sure I'll get plenty of
emails after the fact.
From
SPEAKER_00 (34:19):
Amy Hopkins and Amanda Ottman and other
Rotarians that are right downthe hall from you.
Go ahead.
SPEAKER_01 (34:24):
I'm not a Rotarian.
I love Rotarians, and I do knowthat I spend 40-plus hours a
week living and breathingRotary.
So that's my excuse as to why Ihaven't joined a club yet.
I like it.
You did write in the email thedot, dot, dot, yet.
Okay.
Honestly, I don't I don't have agreat reason other than I do
(34:45):
feel like I live and breathe itin my professional career.
So I haven't necessarily takenthat extra step yet.
But no, there's no provisionagainst being a Rotarian and,
you know, being a staff member.
There are plenty of staffmembers who are Rotarians.
I think it might be.
(35:05):
maybe 45, 50% of Rotarian, orsorry, of staff members might be
Rotarians.
Please don't quote me on that.
I don't know the numbers.
But I do really appreciate thatthe organization lets us come as
we are, bring our various skillsets to working at Rotary.
And yeah.
(35:26):
So do you feel you're kind oflike a Rotarian adjacent?
I feel like I'm a family member,if that makes sense.
Family member, okay.
UNKNOWN (35:33):
Yes.
SPEAKER_01 (35:33):
All right.
A lot of time with and talking,speaking with and spending time
with Rotarians.
And I love it.
And I also say this.
One of my absolute favoritethings is because I love to
travel.
I don't think there's anywhereI've been in the world where I
haven't come across some sort ofRotary sign.
You know, I got on a planerecently and went to L.A.
(35:58):
to visit some friends.
And literally within 10 minutesof getting in a car.
there was a Rotary book salegoing on as I drove past a
parking lot.
And I'm just like, I love it.
I love seeing it.
So yes.
You can't get away from itthough.
You can't get away from it inthe best way possible.
Yes.
So I feel very much enfoldedinto the family.
(36:18):
And maybe that's why I haven'tfelt the need to take the extra
step because I do spend a lot oftime with Rotary.
SPEAKER_00 (36:25):
Yeah.
At a Rotary event.
So yeah.
Yes, exactly.
Yes.
So what's your dream for thefoundation?
Like if you woke up tomorrow andthe whole pixie dust and
unicorns and you rub the lamp orwhatever, what does a dream
rotary foundation really looklike?
And I'm not going to say besideslevel of bureaucratic whatever.
(36:48):
Sure, sure, yes.
What does a perfect foundationlook like?
SPEAKER_01 (36:52):
So I'll say two things.
If I woke up tomorrow and Icould have my wishes as far as
the foundation is concerned,polio would be eradicated.
There you go.
And everybody would know howimportant the Rotary Foundation
is.
And that sounds kind of like, Imean, you asked me my dreams.
(37:15):
That's what it is.
I really don't think Rotariansknow how important it is and how
much work, how much more workcould be done if everybody
really kind of pulled up oursleeves together to support
financially the RotaryFoundation and also like we've
been talking about really makesure those dollars are getting
(37:35):
back out.
SPEAKER_00 (37:36):
Yeah.
Otherwise, after three years, ifyou don't use them, you lose
them.
If you don't
SPEAKER_01 (37:43):
use them, they get directed by your district to
places that are important toyour district.
SPEAKER_00 (37:48):
So according to the host, the podcast host is like,
well, you lose them in yourdistrict.
That is a fair way to say it,though.
I mean, it's not like thefoundation is going to give
everybody a check back that gavemoney.
Right, right.
But the service that it could bedoing in your very own district,
and I do know there's some smalldistricts that are just like,
(38:09):
well, we can't afford that.
We can't afford that.
I'm encouraging some Rotariansto look at themselves in the
mirror and say, are you just notusing all of the wonderful stuff
that's right at your fingertipsor that you could email?
I mean, I say it all the timeabout the learning center.
It's just
SPEAKER_01 (38:29):
like, You know, gosh, such great resources.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (38:33):
In fact, there is a learning center thing about
foundation.
I just want to say.
SPEAKER_01 (38:37):
I'll also say this.
If you are thinking to yourself,oh, I wish I had more members.
Make sure you're using yourdollars to service because
members are engaged by service.
We know that.
Yeah.
If you're not doing as much andas best quality service as you
can, you're probably notengaging and retaining your
members.
UNKNOWN (38:57):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (38:58):
And what's a great way to do that service?
Use Rotary Foundation dollars.
So we do also see ourselves as amember membership benefit.
SPEAKER_00 (39:07):
I mean, you really could have a Venn diagram around
the.
We absolutely
SPEAKER_01 (39:11):
do.
We've got about it for sure.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (39:15):
Just another resource.
Yeah.
If you have the Pete's fellows,you're going to have.
more peace, which means morepolio eradication, which means
more safer areas for thefoundation to do more amazing
projects.
Yes.
All of the above.
Yeah.
Rebecca, thank you.
I will not hold it against youthat you're not a Rotarian.
(39:37):
Thank you.
I have a feeling that if you arecut, you bleed blue.
I think that's
SPEAKER_01 (39:43):
absolutely fair to say.
I'll also say I have a niecewho's a recent Ryla grad, if
that's what you call them.
Yeah.
He, after that, I don't know ifit was already ingrained him,
but after that he led anentirely, sorry, I'm getting
(40:07):
welled up.
He led a life of service.
And I think a lot of that had todo with his youth exchange
experience in his childhood orhis, you know, young adulthood.
We're all surrounded by it,whether we know it or not.
And I feel just blessed.
SPEAKER_00 (40:21):
You've been pollinated.
You've just been.
Oh, yes.
You can't get away
SPEAKER_01 (40:25):
from it.
Oh, yes.
I very much count myself part ofRotary family and Rotary is also
in my family.
Yes.
Well,
SPEAKER_00 (40:31):
thank you so much for being on the show.
It has been an honor to finallyget to know you besides passing
by you in hallway.
Absolutely.
It was awesome.
So, so much.
I mean that.
What a joy to get to meet you,Rebecca.
And I have a very strong feelingyou are not, not a Rotarian for
(40:52):
much longer.
I mean, come on.
Your uncle was in it.
You got so many people in it.
Take the plunge.
The water feels fine.
Well, as always, I thank you somuch for joining me on the
podcast.
And I'm sure all of my longtimelisteners were very happy to see
that even though there was a newlogo and maybe the So it said
(41:13):
season one, episode two orthree.
It still has the same charm,just different theme music.
The Action to Impact podcast ishere.
And as always, I am so gladyou're listening.
We have some great guests comingup, including our new Rotary
(41:34):
International President.
Pretty cool, right?
All right, then.
Until next week, as I said,Before, with the other name,
take care of yourself and theworld around you.
And I'll hear you next week onthe Action to Impact podcast.
Thank you, Rebecca.
(41:55):
And thank you out there forlistening this week.
We'll talk to you soon.
Hi there, everyone.
I'm Gwen Jones, and welcome onceagain to the Action to Impact
podcast, the weekly podcastwhere I introduce you to people
from all over the world that aresimply turning their actions
into impact.
And this week, we're talkingRotary Foundation.
(00:20):
Now, before your eyes roll,we've got a few spins to add to
the words Rotary Foundation.
Rachel Silber is joining me.
She She happens to be the annualgiving officer for Zone 32.
And Rachel and I had a greatconversation about who gets the
money.
That's right.
(00:41):
We know that the RotaryFoundation, we give to it and it
gives back to us.
But who gets the money?
Rachel is one of those peoplewho can tell you who does and
how you can be one of the peoplewho does.
Did that make sense?
Join me, won't you?
We're talking Rotary Foundation,we're talking where the money
(01:04):
goes, and we're talking to youstarting right now.
Welcome back to the podcast,everyone.
This is one of those new shows.
Remember the Action to Impactpodcast?
I'm still Gwen, but I have a newguest, which is important.
Rebecca Silber is joining me,and we got to know each other at
(01:28):
Assembly here in the Northeast.
She decided to spend a littletime with me on the microphone.
She is the annual giving officerfor Zone 32, and she's going to
explain exactly what that is.
She hangs out there at aRotary's big headquarters.
And obviously she does somethingabout giving.
So let's receive a little bit ofher wonderful wisdom right now.
(01:52):
Miss Rebecca, thank you so muchfor joining me on the show.
It's lovely to have you.
I'm excited to be here.
Thank you for having me, Gwen.
Sure.
Well, let's get the big elephantout of the room.
What the hell is an annualgiving officer?
Oh my gosh.
Annual, you just have to do itjust like once a year.
That's it.
Right.
Is that it?
SPEAKER_01 (02:15):
I would say I wish that was the case, but I
actually am glad that it's not.
So an annual giving officer,specifically at Rotary, what we
do, and there is a team of usthat work with different zones.
So it's really
SPEAKER_00 (02:27):
officers?
SPEAKER_01 (02:28):
Officers.
So I am an officer.
There are many officers.
I think there's, oh gosh, eightor nine of us at this point.
And so what we do is we eachhave a territory.
For instance, mine is zone 32.
Gotcha.
Right.
Right.
(03:01):
aware of how they can engagewith the Rotary Foundation,
either through or in a fewdifferent ways, but through
giving is one of those waysthat, of course, you can engage
with the Rotary Foundation.
And while I am, in fact, afundraiser, I do think that it's
more important to know that theRotary Foundation is here for
you all So you can use the moneythat you raise to do great
(03:24):
things in the world.
And I think that that is maybethe most important thing that I
try to really convey everysingle day is that your money
that you give to the RotaryFoundation, it's all about going
back to your communities and thecommunities that you serve,
whether that's locally orglobally.
SPEAKER_00 (03:42):
And I do want to touch on that because I think
when it comes to the RotaryFoundation, first of all,
there's like, differentcompartments, right?
Because there's the RotaryFoundation that does Polio Plus.
And we spend a lot of time onPolio Plus and, you know,
Michael McGovern's friend of theshow, big man on campus there at
Polio Plus.
(04:03):
Okay.
So we love Polio Plus.
Yes.
We have these universities.
Cool.
Very cool.
We make these peace fellows thatgo all over the world and say,
make love, not war.
Yes.
They don't say that, but youknow what I mean?
Yes.
UNKNOWN (04:18):
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (04:19):
Then we have this kind of third part, which is,
oh, by the way, if you raisemoney, the foundation will help
you.
And we have had your folks onsaying just that.
Yes.
And my question is, hi, I'm GwenJones from this small little
club.
How on earth would I ever getsome of that money from that big
(04:42):
pot?
That's the foundation.
Like how do we get said money?
Yes.
SPEAKER_01 (04:47):
So the, I would say easiest, quickest way to do that
is to have an active, to makesure you're active with your
district grants.
So your club, for example,should be active with their
district to make sure thatthey're getting district grant
(05:09):
money.
So for instance, I actuallylooked up Zone 32 as a whole.
Where is Zone 32?
Just remind us.
Oh, that's a great.
Thank you for asking.
So Zone 32 is basically fromPhiladelphia up to western parts
of Maine.
OK.
Also, we have the tiniest sliverof Canada.
(05:29):
It's Sherbrooke.
It's just north of Vermont.
Basically, I like to say kind ofthe northeast minus a large part
of Maine.
But yes, the
SPEAKER_00 (05:38):
northeast, but not Maine.
OK,
SPEAKER_01 (05:40):
gotcha.
SPEAKER_00 (05:41):
That's one of those question marks for me.
I don't know.
Mainers will tell you they'rekind of their own species.
SPEAKER_01 (05:47):
Understood.
SPEAKER_00 (05:47):
Yeah.
UNKNOWN (05:48):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (05:49):
We do have a little bit of Maine and I love that.
But I mean, Mike McGovern's inthat district.
SPEAKER_00 (05:54):
Yes,
SPEAKER_01 (05:55):
he is.
Start on a district level.
So on a district level, I wouldalso say on a club level.
Hopefully your club is engagedin a district grant every single
year.
So that's where the kind of theannual giving comes in is you
should be hopefully raisingmoney every single year so that
you can reach out to yourdistrict and say, hey, those
(06:16):
district designated funds thatmy members give to every year,
hopefully through the annualfund, we want that money back.
And we want that money back inthe form of a district grant.
And so Zone 32, this programyear, which is coming to an end,
so 2025, did use over$1 millionin district-designated funds for
(06:38):
district grants.
And I'm seeing that eachdistrict...
Yes, right?
And I don't think that yourealize that these are dollars.
That's some serious dinero,people.
It really is.
It really, really is.
And that's just districtdesignated funds.
That's just just.
I
SPEAKER_00 (06:54):
shouldn't say just.
That's just in a district.
A million bucks was spent in thedistrict.
Is that a correct statement?
In the districts of Zone
SPEAKER_01 (07:02):
32.
SPEAKER_00 (07:03):
Yes.
So of all 32.
So they've got their own funds.
And this foundation coughed upanother million dollars as well.
Right.
And
SPEAKER_01 (07:13):
that's in addition to global grant funding and kind
of if you have any other, gosh,like global grants are also, you
know, scholarships.
I mean, all kinds of things,water projects, health.
I mean, so the districtdesignated that million in Zone
32.
Yes, was the Northeast UnitedStates got back a million
(07:36):
dollars.
So, I mean.
I know that some clubs, forinstance, they reach out to
their districts through thedistrict grant process and say,
hey, you know, we need$1,000 tohelp get books for our library.
Right.
And I know a lot of people say,well, what about my club
foundation?
Because I know a lot of clubshave those separate entities.
I love to say that a rising tidelifts all ships.
(08:00):
So if your club has$1,000 togive towards a book drive for
library, a library in yourcommunity and you get another
thousand from districtdesignated funds, that's$2,000.
So you can really piece it alltogether.
So we're here to make sure thatthat money is in existence.
You can get it back to do greatin your communities.
(08:20):
That's
SPEAKER_00 (08:21):
so, yes.
Yeah.
And I, and I'm sorry tointerrupt, but, but I think it's
really important to say that youjust started there with a
thousand bucks.
Cause they hit rotary magazineare like, Oh, you guys gave
$250,000 to make such and suchto such and such, which is
great.
And I think in some ways, someof the smaller clubs, now I'm
(08:42):
going, I'm in a club now inBeverly that has 100 members.
I come from a club that had 40members.
And so when we look, and when wewere looking at$250,000, we were
like, wow, nice to be them.
And I think there are some clubsthat are hearing my voice around
the world that are like, You'retelling me I could get a
(09:03):
thousand bucks from Rebecca?
Yeah, yes.
That doesn't sound nearly asscary as the other stuff.
SPEAKER_01 (09:10):
Yeah, because of that million that I mentioned
for all of Zone 32, each projectwas about$2,000.
That was the average project.
So, yeah.
So, I mean, think about all ofthe projects that are happening
now.
Gosh, I should have done mymath.
I know that it was like everydistrict is averaging about 26
grants, you know,$2,000 grants,but then that means there's some
(09:33):
that of course are more thanthat.
Cause that math doesn't reallymath.
I'm sorry.
I
SPEAKER_00 (09:38):
was going to say, of course, I mean, there are, I
mean, you can't write an articleabout the$250,000 one if there
isn't something going there.
SPEAKER_01 (09:45):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (09:46):
Yeah.
So, yeah.
So
SPEAKER_01 (09:48):
I just like, and that's kind of, why I love my
job is I know that every singleRotarian has the ability to make
really, really great impact intheir communities at that level,
that 2000 level, you know, everysingle year, as long as they're
making sure that they'renavigating that grants process.
SPEAKER_00 (10:09):
Navigating that grants process.
I know, I know.
You just deflated the balloonbecause there's a whole bunch of
people that were off to theirdistrict going, oh my God, what
happened to me?
Rebecca said I could have athousand bucks.
Yeah.
But the grants process, I mean,that I know some people are just
(10:30):
like, well, that's too hard.
Is it too hard?
SPEAKER_01 (10:33):
I don't think so.
I will say every district at thedistrict, the district
designated grants that we'retalking about, every district
does have the grants.
discretion to change thatprocess a little bit.
So maybe it's, Oh, you know,your club has to have given, you
know, a hundred percent of yourmembers have to have given in
(10:54):
order to get a grant or, youknow, I know that districts make
those types of discretionarykind of caveats.
I don't know a better word rightnow.
But I think at that districtlevel, usually it is pretty,
simple as long as you just kindof go down the checklist.
And in my experience, everydistrict leader, whether it's a
(11:17):
district Rotary Foundation chairor a district grants officer, or
sorry, district grantssubcommittee chair, excuse me, I
don't think I've ever had onesay, oh, no, I wouldn't help a
club with that process.
I mean, yeah, I think that,sorry, I know that Rotarians are
incredibly helpful people.
(11:37):
And so The people in those tworoles that I mentioned, district
Rotary Foundation chair anddistrict grants subcommittee
chair, they're in those rolesbecause they really want to make
sure that money gets used andput to good use.
SPEAKER_00 (11:52):
So is the quote unquote everyday Rotarian kind
of their own worst enemy when itcomes to this stuff that
sometimes we don't just ask forhelp?
I think that's everybody.
SPEAKER_01 (12:02):
Okay, Rotarians, we have an issue here.
Actually, I think the one thingI could impart on every single
Rotarian is if you have aroadblock, if you have an issue,
there is definitely somebodyeither in your district or at
Rotary International who iswaiting to hear from you.
SPEAKER_00 (12:25):
Okay.
And I, and I think that's reallyrefreshing because I, you know,
I, on this show, we really dolike to break myths.
We break them all the time and,you know, but you guys are the
high castle on the hill.
Yes.
You know, and I don't think alot of Rotarians believe that.
(12:45):
I mean, they would rather sitthere in the trenches than go
help, please, you know?
And so is that, I mean, thatcould kind of be our own
problem.
I
SPEAKER_01 (12:55):
think it might be.
And I think if you flip thataround of, you know,
libertarians are always wantingto help people.
Let us help you.
Let us help the helpers.
Yeah.
Like, doctor, heal thyself.
Right, right.
Like, maybe you're getting tothe actual, like, kind of kernel
of maybe one of our biggest painpoints is healing.
(13:18):
I know as somebody who is verypassionate about helping others,
sometimes it's hard to ask forhelp myself.
And I feel like maybe...
Amen, sister.
...things can be said aboutRotarians.
Please let us help you.
I think that's my biggest kindof...
grumble on the team I work on iswe just wish more people would
(13:38):
reach out to us, mostly at thedistrict level.
We usually work with thedistrict level and the regional
level so that they can get allof that information to Rotarians
and clubs.
We really do wish more peoplewould put us to use every single
day.
SPEAKER_00 (13:52):
Yeah.
So do you guys get a budgetevery year?
So as this is being recorded, weare pretty much mid-June.
We are We are seniors in highschool.
We're going to slide our waythrough the last few weeks of
the road.
Does that mean July 1st, you'regoing to get a new chunk of
(14:13):
money?
And as of this next two weeks,you're trying to get every
single dime out the door?
Is this a very interesting time?
Oh, that's a really goodquestion.
Do you give away all the money?
SPEAKER_01 (14:25):
Well, I will say...
So I'm not a grants officer, soI don't really know whether or
not they're in like a tizzyright now to get dollars out the
SPEAKER_00 (14:36):
door.
You get a loan in.
Right, right.
I would
SPEAKER_01 (14:40):
have to defer to my colleagues in the grants
department on that one.
But I do know that forRotarians, for those district
dollars, there is a timeline.
So You have to use the...
This is where it gets really...
This is where we understand thatit gets complicated and we're so
(15:01):
happy to walk you through theprocess because it is...
Go for it.
We're here.
Okay.
So through the annual fund shareprogram, you give...
a Rotarian, any donor, not justRotarians, but mostly Rotarians
give.
And then three years later,those district designated funds
come back to your district.
Those
SPEAKER_00 (15:19):
million dollars.
So the more you're just, soguys, just, I'm going to stop
her right here by saying themore that you give in your
district, the more that comesback to your district.
And I don't know how many timesI've said that on this show, but
if you're just like, if you're,if everybody in your district is
just giving to polio plus guesswhat?
(15:40):
You're awesome.
But none of those funds arecoming back to your district.
They're going to polio.
There is a difference.
I would say you're awesome.
SPEAKER_01 (15:51):
And none of those funds are...
SPEAKER_00 (15:54):
You're awesome.
Thank you.
I'm a polio annual giver.
So, you know, but I know thatnone of them are heading back to
my district.
Correct.
Is that correct?
Correct.
Yes.
SPEAKER_01 (16:07):
Okay.
So...
So yes, so going back to thetimeline.
So if your district did not useall of their district designated
funds for the year, they do rollover to the next year.
However, I know, however, thenyour district has more
(16:28):
restrictions on how they canspend those dollars.
So yes,
SPEAKER_00 (16:33):
I know.
So the way to look at it is, Ifyou don't use your money, we're
going to penalize you for not.
No, no.
SPEAKER_01 (16:40):
If you don't use your money in that program year,
then you have, then you, I'mgoing to just be a real, real
difficult right now.
Then you can choose to use it togive to things like polio
eradication through just, youknow, but I will say this.
It's just, you can't use them asdistrict designated funds for
district grants anymore.
(17:01):
So it just becomes, yeah.
So it's, yeah.
Let me see.
I'm going to totally pleasedon't quote me on this.
I don't think I'm going to getall of them, but I know you can
direct it to polio.
You can direct centers.
And I believe you can alsodirect it to global grants that
other districts are doing.
I want to say that's the piecethat I get a little foggy on.
(17:25):
But you can still direct it.
Your district can still directit elsewhere.
It's just you can't use it.
in those district designatedgrants.
SPEAKER_00 (17:33):
So let's face it, that's a lot of money.
That just doesn't go to work.
Is that correct?
And
SPEAKER_01 (17:38):
that's why you need to be working with your
districts and your districts.
Hopefully you're working veryclosely with us at the
foundation to get those dollarsspent in your communities.
And the way that you, and thatyou as a donor want them to be
spent, because I don't know anydonor who says, who's gives to
an annual fund and says, pleasedon't spend these dollars.
(17:59):
Please keep these and never usethem.
So, yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (18:03):
And I think that's really important.
So if you're driving and yourcar right now and you're
listening to our voices and yougave to the annual fund, if your
district is not dotting every Iand crossing every T and working
with their district governor,then you've given money to
someplace else.
I mean, that's kind of down anddirty what you're saying.
(18:25):
I mean, it does percolate forthree years.
It does percolate for threeyears.
And I know you said that, but Iwonder if Because I know for a
fact on a district level at50-50, I know there's been some
years we have not given away allthe money.
And I don't think I knew thatuse it or lose it is actually
(18:48):
something that is very true.
My words, use it
SPEAKER_01 (18:53):
or lose it.
SPEAKER_00 (18:55):
Or have it go
SPEAKER_01 (18:55):
somewhere else.
Have it go to one of the otherfantastic things that the
foundation does and thatRotarians are committed to all
over the world.
SPEAKER_00 (19:03):
And that's because Rebecca, you work for them and
you're going to use those nicewords.
And I'm going to say, look here,people, get your P's and Q's
together because if you don'tuse it, Rebecca and her staff
are happy to put it to worksomewhere else, which could also
be a great thing.
I'm not Mocking all those otherthings.
(19:24):
Global grants still happen withthose
SPEAKER_01 (19:26):
dollars.
Yes.
And I will also say this.
Your district still has to, oncethose district designated funds
are no longer available.
for the district grants, yourdistrict then does decide
eventually where they go,
SPEAKER_00 (19:40):
so.
Okay, so it's not like you andyour group like pour a glass of
wine and go, we have all thismoney.
No, your
SPEAKER_01 (19:47):
district still needs to decide where those dollars,
which funds they go to.
Yes.
And actually, the other thing isin this to really, oh, gosh,
really, really love complexityat the foundation.
After a few years, you can alsodesignate those dollars to go to
an endowment fund that yourdistrict then gets the proceeds
(20:08):
from the investments.
So, like, really, if you want toget I know, I know you're
SPEAKER_00 (20:14):
getting thick in the weeds.
And so then, of course, that'sthat's going to lead the
question, is the foundation justso good?
So I will
SPEAKER_01 (20:24):
say that, yes,
SPEAKER_00 (20:26):
we are
SPEAKER_01 (20:28):
very complicated because of, I think, all of the
fantastic people who raise moneyevery single year for us.
And I say that, I know I'm astaff fundraiser, but the people
on the ground who are reallybeating the bushes saying, I
love the foundation.
I'm a Rotarian, please give.
And that's one of our biggestsuccesses is we have so many
(20:51):
people on the ground sayingthat.
That money is, it's a large potof money.
And so we need to make sure it'sstewarded and spent in the way
that makes the most sense foryou all and your wishes.
But because of this big numberof this big amount that does not
get spent, we've had to makesure that it can be spent in a
(21:12):
way that makes the most sensefor you all.
And that's why this endowmentthing is happening, because we
want you to have that moneyback.
And this also goes to, I don'tknow if you're aware of this,
Gwen, but in 2021, it wasdecided by the Board of Trustees
that after five years of rollingover those district designated
(21:32):
funds, we are going to make itrequired that districts
designate those funds somewherebecause there were districts who
were sitting on those dollarsyear after year after year.
And again, that's not theintention of a donor.
When they give those dollars,they want them to be spent.
So that is why we eventually didsay, you know what, districts
(21:55):
can then roll that money into anendowment fund for their own
district to be then invested inAnd the spendable earnings can
be then used in the district.
I'm going to like asterisk allof this with, that's why we're
here to help you navigate that.
So if Rebecca and I haven'tconfused you enough already,
(22:18):
they're happy to take your call.
Share at rotary.org if you havequestions.
There's a fantastic team therethat can answer all of your
questions about anythingdistrict designated fund,
district designated fundrollover, or honestly, just
making sure that your districtis spending those dollars as
efficiently as possible.
SPEAKER_00 (22:39):
Which is a great thing for you to say, because as
we're recording this, like Isaid, we are near the end of the
Rotary year.
And I know for a fact that thereare quite a few district
governors that are going to behanded gab in the next couple of
weeks.
Happening right now.
I love seeing all the photos.
Happening right now.
In fact, I have two this comingweek that I am either emceeing
(23:00):
or doing.
So I have a very busy week aheadof me, as well as you do too,
getting ready for Calgary.
But so should we encourage thosenew district governors to go,
where can they go and see soap?
How much money do I have or howmuch money got rolled over?
Is there a place for them to seewhat their magic treasure chest
(23:21):
holds?
SPEAKER_01 (23:22):
Absolutely.
There are so many reports on myrotary.
I mean, district governors havealready made sign-ins.
I know they have.
Oh, good.
Logins.
So they have, especially asdistrict governors, they have
access to so many reports onthere.
And one of them is the availableDDF report.
(23:44):
Which would be new this year.
which as of July 1, actually, Imean, it gives you like a
three-year track too, to see.
SPEAKER_00 (23:50):
So I was going to say, okay, so the funds from
three years ago, so we'rerecording, this is 2025, 24, 23.
So the 2023 funds have nicelypercolated and they're ready to
go as of now.
Is that correct?
They will be.
Yes.
UNKNOWN (24:06):
Okay.
SPEAKER_01 (24:06):
And so, yeah.
And so your district governorcan see a lovely report on their
of all of the funds that areready to be spent that have
been, yeah, it's for the, it'sfor the current year that we're,
that we will be in by the timethis, this drops.
Yes.
Right.
SPEAKER_00 (24:21):
Yeah.
So then district governors, Ichallenge you all over the world
that hear my voice.
I'm very honored that, thatthere is, that this goes all
over the world.
So check that out and haveRebecca and her crew empty out
their coffers.
I mean, have we ever, Emptiedout a coffer in a year?
I mean, have we ever spent allthe money?
SPEAKER_01 (24:41):
The districts definitely have individually,
but absolutely not as a rotaryworld.
I mean, I've never seen a reportthat says that we have, so I'd
be shocked if it's everhappened.
Would that be cool?
Would you like that?
That would be super cool.
Think of all of the amazingthings that will have taken
place if we every year got ridof, got rid of, spent all of
(25:04):
that money.
Got rid of.
I can use those words.
Get
SPEAKER_00 (25:07):
it out
SPEAKER_01 (25:07):
of
SPEAKER_00 (25:08):
there because you got
SPEAKER_01 (25:08):
to
SPEAKER_00 (25:09):
make room for more.
SPEAKER_01 (25:11):
Make room for more.
And also, even more importantly,do the amazing projects that
you're doing, because I knowthat.
I know that my favorite part ofmy job is hearing all the great
things that are, that are beingdone with the dollars that you
put to work.
SPEAKER_00 (25:24):
It's inspiring.
It makes, it makes it easier foryou to go to work.
Absolutely.
SPEAKER_01 (25:28):
It's, it really is.
My favorite thing is hearingabout all of the great, like
just the, the people, the livesthat are impacted by the dollars
that you guys give and thengrant out.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (25:42):
So I guess the biggest question is how much
money are we talking about?
SPEAKER_01 (25:47):
Oh, goodness.
I mean, are you talking aboutthis current Rotary year that
we're closing?
SPEAKER_00 (25:53):
Yeah.
If you happen to know, I'm notasking you down to the Senate,
to the single cent, butestimated, how much money do we
have in different coffers,roughly, that we have the
opportunity to give out?
Yes.
So,
SPEAKER_01 (26:09):
I mean, annual fund...
Just by itself, worldwide, inthe rotary world, this year,
we've raised$147 million.
That's a lot of$1,000 grants.
That's a lot of$1,000 grants.
That's a lot, people.
Yes, yes.
So, I mean, again, that'sworldwide.
Sure.
(26:29):
In Zone 32, the number's around$3 million currently.
I think it's around$32 million.
It's amazing.
And actually, I shouldn't saycurrently.
Those are dollars as of end ofMay because I usually run my
reports towards the end of eachmonth.
And I think even moreimpressively, that's about 20%
(26:51):
up from the same time last year.
So we have really, and I say webecause it's everybody together
has really done a fantastic jobthis year of raising dollars and
more importantly saying this iswhat the dollars are going to
do.
And have been doing.
SPEAKER_00 (27:06):
So I have had officers from the foundation on
the show before, and sometimesthey do give gloom and doom that
it's more money, but it's moremoney by the same people.
SPEAKER_01 (27:23):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (27:23):
Okay.
So, you know, we've got theclump society people and that's
my goal.
I want to be a clumper one day.
Yeah.
I want, I think I even want ashirt that says I am a clumper.
Oh my gosh.
We haven't had shirts yet.
Maybe.
Yeah.
I think we could copyright.
I'm a clumper.
You're a clumper.
We should all be clumperstogether.
I mean, it could be great.
(27:44):
We'll have a whole, we'll,we'll, we'll, we'll talk about
swag later.
Yeah.
But, but is that, True.
Is it still kind of a smallamount of people giving all the
money or are we actually as anorganization really starting to
spread out and more voices areadding to the foundation these
days?
UNKNOWN (28:04):
Yes.
So.
SPEAKER_01 (28:05):
It's not, it kind of, I'm really trying to figure
out the best way to talk aboutthis.
I know that about- No one'slistening.
Just tell them.
Come on.
Well, I know that about 20% ofgifts, sorry, that's incorrect.
52% of gifts are given at$1,000or below.
Wow.
Okay.
So just about over half.
(28:26):
All right.
Worldwide.
Yes.
Yes.
So- I think that illustratesjust how important it is that
everybody gives because thegroundswell of people giving is
really what builds thosedollars.
And, of course, we have amazingdonors who give historic
numbers, you know, historicnumbers every single year.
SPEAKER_00 (28:47):
Absolutely.
SPEAKER_01 (28:48):
And we love that.
Of course we love that.
I mean, we could not get newpeace centers, you know,
dedicated without those types ofgifts, obviously.
UNKNOWN (28:57):
Sure.
SPEAKER_01 (28:58):
But I love knowing that so many people come
together to make such greatimpact.
I mean, I really do.
I do get chills and maybe I'm asentimental person, but I do get
chills knowing that Rotarians byand large do step up because
they know that it's important tostand behind the work that they
(29:18):
do.
SPEAKER_00 (29:20):
So.
Of course,$1,000 makes you aPaul Harris.
Isn't that correct?
So just to let you know that thefoundation people are the Paul
Harris pin people.
I do have a Paul Harris...
that I lost and then was givenback to me.
And I think it's funny.
(29:40):
And then I found my originalPaul Harris pin.
And so I have one before thefacelift and after the facelift.
Oh, that's so fun.
Yeah, you've got both versions.
So just to let you know, and forthe people who get that, get
that, go ahead and take a lookat your old Paul Harris pins.
He had a fabulous nip tuck bythe foundation.
A few years ago, he was gettinga little jowly.
(30:01):
Yes.
I don't have the old pin.
Yes.
Yeah.
So if you look at one of the oldpins and the people who get this
are cracking up right now, hewas a little jowly, a little
wrinkly.
He got himself a nice.
Now he's got, he's fabulous, butI'm sure he's spinning in his
grave, but so that is the PaulHarris.
(30:21):
You are the Paul Harris people.
Yeah.
And.
Just as a history geek, why dowe get Paul Harris pins?
Was that the initial, if youknow this question?
Oh, I don't actually.
So it's like, uh-oh.
So there's your homework.
(30:42):
Okay, yeah.
Or someone who's hearing myvoice.
I'm sure somebody knows.
Send Rebecca an email because wehave, you get a Paul Harris,
then you get a Paul Harris plusa pretty red pin.
dot and then a blue dot.
And then after you give them andgive them and give them, you
become a clumper or a, or abigger donor.
(31:03):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (31:04):
So yes, there's Paul Harris fellow.
There's Paul Harris fellow plusone all the way up to Paul
Harris fellow plus eight.
So once you get there, you'vegiven about a$9,000 donation.
Or, and again, because we lovecomplexity at the foundation,
somebody can make you a PaulHarris Fellow after they've
(31:25):
given$1,000 and they have 1,000points to give away.
It's incredibly unique.
I don't know any otherorganization that lets you give
your$1,000 and then alsorecognize somebody at a similar
or same level.
But I will also say this, afteryou've given$1,000,$10,000, and
(31:45):
that does have to be of your owndollar.
SPEAKER_00 (31:48):
Of your own money.
SPEAKER_01 (31:50):
So you can't get 10,000 points, but you have to
give the$10,000.
That's when you become a majordonor.
And I know that that's a veryspecial thing for people as
well.
They have a different pin.
There's all kinds of fun thingsthat come along with that too.
And I think it's lovely that wecelebrate people With those
(32:11):
wearable, you know, thosepieces, if you want to wear
them.
I also know people who are, youknow, Arch Clump Society members
who decide not to wear theirpins or decide not to, you know,
make a big deal about itnecessarily.
And we love everybody, no matterwhat, and what their decision is
to whether to wear those pins ornot.
(32:31):
And some actually, both MajorDonor and Arch Clump Society,
you can also ask for a pendantas well.
A pendant.
Oh, yes.
They're lovely.
SPEAKER_00 (32:41):
They are lovely.
Yes.
Unfortunately, you know, andit's funny because, you know,
this is audio, but I thinkmine's hanging on the door
there.
Oh, yes.
Oh, my God.
So, yeah.
All right.
That's okay.
SPEAKER_01 (32:55):
They're lovely.
I think
SPEAKER_00 (32:58):
my pendant is also
SPEAKER_01 (32:59):
pre-facelift, so
SPEAKER_00 (33:01):
good to know.
SPEAKER_01 (33:02):
And if you want a little bit of inside
information, I think I'm allowedto talk about this because I
think it's official.
official decision by the board,they are going to be getting
another facelift for major donortype.
All's looking good.
Yes.
I mean, we love everybodywrinkles and everything, but I
(33:25):
think, yes, but I just thinkthey wanted to make sure that
everything matches a little bitmore, you know, between the
different Versions of wearablerecognition.
So I hope I haven't spoken outof turn.
The rotary police can come afterme.
But yeah, my understanding isthe, the major donor pins and
such are about to get a littlebit of a facelift in to use your
words as well.
SPEAKER_00 (33:44):
Awesome.
Yeah.
So now I have to be, cause Ihave just a few more questions
for you.
I saved the very best for lastand that is Rebecca.
You have to fess up becauseyou're in charge of rotary
money, but you are not aRotarian.
I
SPEAKER_01 (33:59):
am not a Rotarian.
SPEAKER_00 (34:00):
So is that because Rotary likes to like separate
church and state?
Is there a reason why you'renot?
So what's up, girl?
Yeah.
So, I mean...
SPEAKER_01 (34:12):
I don't know if I have a great reason not to be a
Rotarian.
I'm going to say this aloud, andI'm sure I'll get plenty of
emails after the fact.
From
SPEAKER_00 (34:19):
Amy Hopkins and Amanda Ottman and other
Rotarians that are right downthe hall from you.
Go ahead.
SPEAKER_01 (34:24):
I'm not a Rotarian.
I love Rotarians, and I do knowthat I spend 40-plus hours a
week living and breathingRotary.
So that's my excuse as to why Ihaven't joined a club yet.
I like it.
You did write in the email thedot, dot, dot, yet.
Okay.
Honestly, I don't I don't have agreat reason other than I do
(34:45):
feel like I live and breathe itin my professional career.
So I haven't necessarily takenthat extra step yet.
But no, there's no provisionagainst being a Rotarian and,
you know, being a staff member.
There are plenty of staffmembers who are Rotarians.
I think it might be.
(35:05):
maybe 45, 50% of Rotarian, orsorry, of staff members might be
Rotarians.
Please don't quote me on that.
I don't know the numbers.
But I do really appreciate thatthe organization lets us come as
we are, bring our various skillsets to working at Rotary.
And yeah.
(35:26):
So do you feel you're kind oflike a Rotarian adjacent?
I feel like I'm a family member,if that makes sense.
Family member, okay.
UNKNOWN (35:33):
Yes.
SPEAKER_01 (35:33):
All right.
A lot of time with and talking,speaking with and spending time
with Rotarians.
And I love it.
And I also say this.
One of my absolute favoritethings is because I love to
travel.
I don't think there's anywhereI've been in the world where I
haven't come across some sort ofRotary sign.
You know, I got on a planerecently and went to L.A.
(35:58):
to visit some friends.
And literally within 10 minutesof getting in a car.
there was a Rotary book salegoing on as I drove past a
parking lot.
And I'm just like, I love it.
I love seeing it.
So yes.
You can't get away from itthough.
You can't get away from it inthe best way possible.
Yes.
So I feel very much enfoldedinto the family.
(36:18):
And maybe that's why I haven'tfelt the need to take the extra
step because I do spend a lot oftime with Rotary.
SPEAKER_00 (36:25):
Yeah.
At a Rotary event.
So yeah.
Yes, exactly.
Yes.
So what's your dream for thefoundation?
Like if you woke up tomorrow andthe whole pixie dust and
unicorns and you rub the lamp orwhatever, what does a dream
rotary foundation really looklike?
And I'm not going to say besideslevel of bureaucratic whatever.
(36:48):
Sure, sure, yes.
What does a perfect foundationlook like?
SPEAKER_01 (36:52):
So I'll say two things.
If I woke up tomorrow and Icould have my wishes as far as
the foundation is concerned,polio would be eradicated.
There you go.
And everybody would know howimportant the Rotary Foundation
is.
And that sounds kind of like, Imean, you asked me my dreams.
(37:15):
That's what it is.
I really don't think Rotariansknow how important it is and how
much work, how much more workcould be done if everybody
really kind of pulled up oursleeves together to support
financially the RotaryFoundation and also like we've
been talking about really makesure those dollars are getting
(37:35):
back out.
SPEAKER_00 (37:36):
Yeah.
Otherwise, after three years, ifyou don't use them, you lose
them.
If you don't
SPEAKER_01 (37:43):
use them, they get directed by your district to
places that are important toyour district.
SPEAKER_00 (37:48):
So according to the host, the podcast host is like,
well, you lose them in yourdistrict.
That is a fair way to say it,though.
I mean, it's not like thefoundation is going to give
everybody a check back that gavemoney.
Right, right.
But the service that it could bedoing in your very own district,
and I do know there's some smalldistricts that are just like,
(38:09):
well, we can't afford that.
We can't afford that.
I'm encouraging some Rotariansto look at themselves in the
mirror and say, are you just notusing all of the wonderful stuff
that's right at your fingertipsor that you could email?
I mean, I say it all the timeabout the learning center.
It's just
SPEAKER_01 (38:29):
like, You know, gosh, such great resources.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (38:33):
In fact, there is a learning center thing about
foundation.
I just want to say.
SPEAKER_01 (38:37):
I'll also say this.
If you are thinking to yourself,oh, I wish I had more members.
Make sure you're using yourdollars to service because
members are engaged by service.
We know that.
Yeah.
If you're not doing as much andas best quality service as you
can, you're probably notengaging and retaining your
members.
UNKNOWN (38:57):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (38:58):
And what's a great way to do that service?
Use Rotary Foundation dollars.
So we do also see ourselves as amember membership benefit.
SPEAKER_00 (39:07):
I mean, you really could have a Venn diagram around
the.
We absolutely
SPEAKER_01 (39:11):
do.
We've got about it for sure.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (39:15):
Just another resource.
Yeah.
If you have the Pete's fellows,you're going to have.
more peace, which means morepolio eradication, which means
more safer areas for thefoundation to do more amazing
projects.
Yes.
All of the above.
Yeah.
Rebecca, thank you.
I will not hold it against youthat you're not a Rotarian.
(39:37):
Thank you.
I have a feeling that if you arecut, you bleed blue.
I think that's
SPEAKER_01 (39:43):
absolutely fair to say.
I'll also say I have a niecewho's a recent Ryla grad, if
that's what you call them.
Yeah.
He, after that, I don't know ifit was already ingrained him,
but after that he led anentirely, sorry, I'm getting
(40:07):
welled up.
He led a life of service.
And I think a lot of that had todo with his youth exchange
experience in his childhood orhis, you know, young adulthood.
We're all surrounded by it,whether we know it or not.
And I feel just blessed.
SPEAKER_00 (40:21):
You've been pollinated.
You've just been.
Oh, yes.
You can't get away
SPEAKER_01 (40:25):
from it.
Oh, yes.
I very much count myself part ofRotary family and Rotary is also
in my family.
Yes.
Well,
SPEAKER_00 (40:31):
thank you so much for being on the show.
It has been an honor to finallyget to know you besides passing
by you in hallway.
Absolutely.
It was awesome.
So, so much.
I mean that.
What a joy to get to meet you,Rebecca.
And I have a very strong feelingyou are not, not a Rotarian for
(40:52):
much longer.
I mean, come on.
Your uncle was in it.
You got so many people in it.
Take the plunge.
The water feels fine.
Well, as always, I thank you somuch for joining me on the
podcast.
And I'm sure all of my longtimelisteners were very happy to see
that even though there was a newlogo and maybe the So it said
(41:13):
season one, episode two orthree.
It still has the same charm,just different theme music.
The Action to Impact podcast ishere.
And as always, I am so gladyou're listening.
We have some great guests comingup, including our new Rotary
(41:34):
International President.
Pretty cool, right?
All right, then.
Until next week, as I said,Before, with the other name,
take care of yourself and theworld around you.
And I'll hear you next week onthe Action to Impact podcast.
Thank you, Rebecca.
(41:55):
And thank you out there forlistening this week.
We'll talk to you soon.
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