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Rotary Club of Lombard
Newsletter
The Lilac Rotarian
November 1, 2007
Volume Fifty, Number Six
Rotary Corner - EVANSTON, Ill., U.S.A. (Nov. 26, 2007) --
Rotary International today announced a partnership with the Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation that will inject a much-needed US$200
million into the global campaign to eradicate polio, a crippling
and sometimes fatal disease that still paralyzes children in parts
of Africa, Asia and the Middle East and threatens children everywhere.
The Rotary Foundation has received a $100-million Gates Foundation
grant, which Rotary will raise funds to match, dollar-for-dollar,
over three years. The Evanston-based volunteer service organization
will spend the initial $100 million within one year in direct support
of immunization activities carried out by the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative (GPEI), a partnership spearheaded by the World Health
Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and UNICEF.
"The extraordinary dedication of Rotary members has played
a critical role in bringing polio to the brink of eradication,"
says Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
"Eradicating polio will be one of the most significant public
health accomplishments in history, and we are committed to helping
reach that goal." The polio eradication grant is one of the
largest challenge grants ever given by the Gates Foundation and
the largest grant received by Rotary in its 102-year history. Polio
eradication has been Rotary's top priority since 1985. Since then,
Rotary has contributed $633 million to the eradication effort.
"Rotary members worldwide have worked very hard over the years
to reach this point, and it is rewarding to see our approach validated
in such a significant way by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,"
says Dr. Robert Scott, who leads Rotary's polio eradication effort
and chairs The Rotary Foundation, the not-for-profit charitable
arm of Rotary that will administer the grant. "We hope that
this shared commitment of Rotary and the Gates Foundation will challenge
other donors - including foundations, governments and non-governmental
organizations - to step up and make sure we have the resources needed
to rid the world of polio once and for all." Adds Rotary International
President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson: "This endorsement of Rotary's
polio eradication efforts by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
is just the catalyst and challenge Rotary members need to keep our
promise to the children of the world that polio will be eradicated."
The Gates Foundation grant comes at a crucial juncture for the initiative,
which urgently needs an infusion of funds to reach the eradication
goal. Although the GPEI has succeeded in slashing the number of
polio cases by 99 percent over the past two decades, the wild poliovirus
still persists in four countries: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and
Pakistan. The polio cases represented by that final one percent
are the most costly to prevent due to such factors as geographical
isolation, worker fatigue, low coverage with the vaccine, armed
conflict and cultural barriers. Last month, WHO released data confirming
that all four remaining polio-endemic countries are on track to
achieve eradication. In particular, significant progress has been
made in India and Nigeria, which together account for 85 percent
of the world's polio cases. Nigeria has reported 226 cases so far
this year, compared with 958 at the same time last year. In both
countries, more effective oral polio vaccines have contributed to
steady progress in reducing polio cases.
WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan says the Gates Foundation
grant reaffirms that polio eradication is both feasible and achievable.
"This investment is precisely the catalyst we need as we intensify
the push to finish polio," said Chan. "We have the technical
tools to do it, and we can achieve a polio-free world if the rest
of our financial partners step up to meet the challenge." Most
of the initial $100 million will be spent in support of mass immunization
campaigns in polio-affected countries, poliovirus surveillance activities
and community education and outreach. The grant will also support
an expanded research agenda on ways to halt the spread of the poliovirus.
Rotary will distribute the funds through grants to WHO and UNICEF.
"The funds made possible through the Gates Foundation grant
will help the Global Polio Eradication Initiative scale up its efforts
to provide oral polio vaccine to children in those isolated locations
where it's most needed," says UNICEF Executive Director Ann
M. Veneman. "This important contribution will improve the capacity
to protect vulnerable children from this debilitating disease."
CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding says the collaboration between
Rotary and the Gates Foundation underscores the importance of private
sector involvement in major public health efforts. "As a government
agency, we think it's wonderful that our private-sector colleagues
have taken a leadership role in something as important as polio
eradication. Their participation is absolutely critical."
Founded in Chicago in 1905, Rotary is a worldwide organization of
business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service
and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary's global
membership is approximately 1.2 million men and women who belong
to more than 32,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and
geographical areas.
November Board Meeting Highlights - On November 15th
the board met to discuss the following, Approval of the Treasurer's
Report $31,883.67 in checking. Some raffle ticket money needs to
be collected, but anticipate about $13,000.00 available for scholarships.
The raffle generated $1,391.00. Club Service is moving right along
with Blue Ribbon panels. F&F, the Plum library staff will be
on hand at our Christmas party to entertain the little ones, there
may be a visit from Santa or one of his helpers, show up and find
out. Int'l, Dennis has found a place in Villa Park where people
can drop off bikes, wheel chairs etc, as people still call. Membership,
Likely future members include the manager from MB Financial, Deanna
Wilkins of York Township and Paul O'Malley from Dist. 87. Programs,
dates are filled. Reverse Raffle was discussed and a procedure manual
will be set up for raffles in the future. Rotary Youth Exchange
was discussed and Dan Tufano agreed to host a foreign exchange student
for a semester and club is looking for a second family to fill out
the year. LHS Membership was moved and seconded to pay $100.00 to
join. A bill for $30.00 from the Park Dist. was approved to maintain
our web link on their web site.
Welcome To Our Speakers: On November 1st, Mike F.
and Pete hit The Blue Ribbon circuit, and discussed high ethical
standards that all Rotarians follow in business and in life.
Announcements: On November 1st, it was announced
that Bob Carter was rehabbing at Marionjoy after hip replacement
surgery, he looks forward any visitors. Dennis went on record that
he was NOT a winner at the Reverse Raffle, just holding the ticket
for Bob H. Gary B. announced that $150.00 gift certificate will
be given to a needy family in town. Bob Carter is home and recovering
nicely. Kim let everyone know that the Christmas luncheon will be
December 27th @ Villa Nova. On November 15th, Kim
passed the Christmas Party sign up sheet around.
Fines & Happy Fines: On November 1st, the Fine
Master was hard at work as Ralph, Gary S., Kathy and Jim B. were
hit with late fines. Gary S. was fined for a phone call as was Brian.
Jean and Deb were hit with Picture fines and Deb was hit with a
Shameless Plug fine in pushing the Y's Art Auction. Happy Fines
on this day for Bob H. for being one of the Reverse Raffle winners
and Dan for his daughters engagement. Happy Birthday greetings to
Scott as he passed around the basket on his day. On November
8th, Connie and Rich G. were hit with late fines. Rick was hit
with a pin fine. And the back table was fined for being the Senior's
table. Bill L got caught in the camera's lens and paid for it. John
Brust wasn't fined for calling Rick, Rich. Ralph had a Happy Fine
on hearing Astronaut Dan Tani on WGN radio this morning. Dennis
was happy to see the ceiling this morning and that his son would
be moving to Chicago soon. On November 15th, the Fine master
was in her glory as Ray, Bill L., Marge, Kathy Jim B. and Bob McB.
were late or no shows for this mornings Board meeting. Ed and Kathy
were fined for missing pins, Ed got a $3.00 fine for being on the
cover of the Rolling Stone (Lombardian). Doc Arndt was late for
lunch. Happy Fines by Scott for a new Grand baby in the family and
Deb for not having a picture in the paper this week. Kathy had an
UNHAPPY Fine, as she wasn't asked her opinion on the change of time
for the Board Meeting. Birthdays were in abundance as Jean, Ed S.
and Maury were serenaded as the baskets were passed around.
Honored Guests: On November 1st, Paul O'Malley from
Dist. 87 and Bob Thiel from Ludington joined us. On November 8th,
Jeff Wilcox was our guest. On November 15th, Hank Feely joined
us for lunch, and Kurt Buckholz and Cory Atwell from the GE club
were selling Fl;orida fruit for their club's fund raiser. Last but
not least, Paul O'Malley from Dist. 87 joined us again.
Object of Rotary, or Be Reminded: the first regular (Thursday)
meeting of every month is "Food or $5" as members will
have the choice of bringing a food item to help supply for the Food
Pantry or pay a $5 fine of to support First Things First. When a
speaker is not scheduled on the first Thursday of each month, the
time will be spent in quality fellowship and member to member interaction.
Weekly Raffle, On November 1st, Ed S. table were the lucky
ticket winners, but as usual Dennis picked the 8 of clubs. On November
8th, Dennis' table had the lucky ticket, but Dennis picked the
7 of spades. On November 15th, Ed Reeder's table won the
chance to win big money, but Ed grabbed the Jack of spades.
Birthday Celebrations: Recent and upcoming birthday celebrations
of note include:
December 7 John Nolan
December 20 Bill Lichter
December 27 Rick Soderstrom
January 8 Gary Bird
January 16 Brian Johnson
January 18 Jack Brust
February 15 Bob Harris
Mark Your Calendars:
CHRISTMAS PARTY December 27th Villa Nova
Check the Website: Take the time to visit the newly revised
www.lombardrotary.com to see the latest edition of this newsletter
as well as other information relating to our Club. If you have any
additional features that you would like to see posted, please send
it my way….thanks!
Board Meeting: The next Board Meeting is December 20th
@ 7:15a.m. @ Grove Restaurant.
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