Another amazing opportunity in Ghana…
At an inter-city meeting held last week, Rotarians from
around Accra (and a few from Germany too) had the privilege of listening to
William Boyd speak about the value of the Rotary Foundation. For those who are unfamiliar to Rotary,
the Rotary Foundation works within Rotary International essentially to raise and
distribute its funds. William Boyd is currently the chair of the Rotary
Foundation. During his introduction, I also learned the impressive fact that
one can only become chair of the Foundation if he or she has already been
president of Rotary International.
Boyd was president of Rotary International from 2006-2007.
Boyd and his wife, who reside in New Zealand, were in Ghana for a few days to look at
water projects around the country. In his talk, he described just how
successful Rotary Foundation projects have been. He mentioned that such
projects have a 90-some percent sustainability rate. That is compared to UN
projects that have about a 60% sustainability rate. People invest in the Rotary
Foundation because they understand Rotary International’s motto “Service Above
Self” and recognize that the Foundation's "Doing Good in the World" makes it happen. Bill and Melinda Gates have now
donated over $450 million to Rotary International, and their support has helped
Rotary eliminate endemic polio in all but 5 of the world’s countries. Now, that
is an accomplishment.
The Rotary Foundation is also responsible for the
Ambassadorial Scholarship program. One of the ways that they support Rotary
International’s mission of spreading goodwill and understanding is by sending
youth abroad.
Regina, a good friend of mine doing African Studies here at
the University, is an Ambassadorial Scholar from South Carolina. During the
meeting, several people were introduced and asked to stand. Some were donors,
others were part of a newly formed club, and then there were the Ambassadorial
Scholars. When Regina and I stood
up, Boyd spread a huge smile like I had not seen all meeting. After the
meeting, we rushed up to the head table where we shook hands with past and
future District Governors and Rotary Foundation trustees. As we were moving along
down the table, Boyd stood up and left before we got to him. I was disappointed
for a second, but then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to find out he had come over to greet us! So
honored, I told him that I know first-hand how much the Foundation’s
investments pay off and how much of a difference they make.
The Ambassadorial Scholars and William Boyd,
a man who makes the scholarship possible.
(We called him the night before to find out what color tie he was going to wear).
We went on to talk for quite a while (interrupted of course
by many pictures) about the future of the scholarship program. In two years, it
will be called “Future Vision” and will be more vocationally-oriented. The
Districts (who interview and actually distribute the scholarship) will also be
in charge of determining how much the scholarship is worth for a particular year.
It was a memorable lunch.
