Star Struck: Meeting the Rotary Foundation Chair

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.