It looks like Rotary International’s theme for this Rotary year is becoming more balanced with its BUILDING COMMUNITIES—BRIDGING CONTINENTS motto.  Although we may have more growth in international projects with Vicki Bentley’s Congo Women’s Empowerment projects, some joint projects with Direct Relief International in Africa and the Philippines, more local projects should be a priority in order to maintain our membership during such economic times.

I believe Rotary is the ultimate Democracy, because all members must contribute for it to work.  All members in this voluntary Democracy have a vote in what we do, and we need everyone’s vote in this year of economic recovery particularly.  It therefore, as with most major crises, presents us with an opportunity rather than a reason to step back. 

Under the Rotary International leadership, of Ray Klinginsmith, the first Ambassadorial Scholar to become RI President, Rotarians everywhere are joined in a common bond and a compelling mission.  Among its 33,976 clubs in more than 130 countries is a new member, the Ramallah Rotary Club of the Palestinian Authority.  It is a club sponsored by Israeli and Jordanian Rotarians as a first step to one of Rotary’s long term goals of bringing greater peace to our world.

Along with partners, such as the World Health Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary Clubs have already raised $133,065,005 of the $200m that is to match the Gates Foundation’s $355m grant to eradicate polio from the planet.  Significant progress has been made with a new double polio vaccine that immunizes against the two most virulent forms of polio that still exist.  So we are now in the home stretch of accomplishing this massive task.  Since 1985, when Rotary International joined in this effort, reported cases of polio have dropped over 99.8% and it is now isolated into four remaining countries.  We hope to complete this task in the near future.

Closer to home, the Rotary Club of Montecito has made a difference by:

• Providing five $1,000 scholarships to students at Santa Barbara City College, through the Vocational Education Program.
• Distributing books and dictionaries to students at Cleveland Elementary School.
• Helped support the Storyteller Children’s Center.
• Sponsored an Ethics Workshop for area high school students.
• Volunteered our efforts in refurbishing the Friendship Center in Montecito.

Internationally we have partnered with other Rotary Clubs such as the Rotary Club of Eastern Congo and Rwanda that has invested in a trauma center and vocational school for Congolese women and children who have been victims of their civil war.  We also hope to continue to support the Rotarians of Bacolod City, Philippines, in their literacy and home building projects and support the PACE School near Calcutta, India in their efforts to raise the educational standards of their students.

These are just a few of the many projects and initiatives we have supported over the years.  Rotary is about volunteer service, fun, and fellowship, in Montecito Rotary.  In my capacity as President in 2010 to 2011, it is an honor and privilege to be of service.  We invite you to get involved and contact us for more information about Rotary, the ultimate in making a difference in our world and community.

Harlan Green, President 2010-11

Rotary Club of Montecito

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