Our Common Purpose
“Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” ~Andrew Carnegie
When people come together for a common purpose, amazing things happen.
The past few years have brought many changes to our communities and economy. Rotary Charities has always intentionally walked the delicate balance between being proactive and leading new initiatives, while also being responsive as needs shift and grow. 2008-09 was a year of reflection, analysis, bold responses and action.
The common purpose bringing us together? Supporting a healthy, sustainable nonprofit sector that will provide exceptional services to their communities as they make their way towards recovery and growth.
The theme of being united in common purpose is woven throughout this report. We encourage our grantees to look for ways to work together and leverage their resources. The need for responsible stewardship of Rotary’s resources requires that we do the same.
Rotary has always believed strongly in leading by example. We advocate for best practices from the nonprofits we support. Therefore, we strive to operate according to the same high standards.
In that spirit, the Rotary Charities Board worked together with Rotary Camps & Services to develop a shared Vision statement, which represents a strategic effort to maximize Rotary’s financial assets and volunteer leadership.
During summer 2009, NorthSky Nonprofit Network moved from being under the auspices of Rotary Camps & Services to being a program of Rotary Charities. This association deepens Rotary’s ability and commitment to provide more comprehensive Organizational Capacity Building services to the nonprofit community.
In addition, the information provided by NorthSky has been invaluable in evaluating the needs of the sector. A recent economic impact survey, done in collaboration with Northwestern Michigan College and Michigan State University, revealed significant changing needs within regional nonprofits. This resulted in the Rotary Charities Board taking action to extend the fall grant cycle deadline; temporarily expand program grant eligibility to include existing, on-going programs; and simplify the application procedure through use of the eGrant online system.
Through it all, Rotary Charities has worked to keep the nonprofits and Rotarians they serve up-to-date through training sessions, workshops, personal meetings and ongoing communication.
The result is more than $1 million granted in the five-county region, with an increase in capacity building support that will strengthen the sector for years to come. Dozens of volunteers have worked across committees and organizations, bringing their collective knowledge and experience to bear for the good of all.
Another example of Rotary’s leadership in strategic collaboration is the role we played in The Grand Vision, a citizen-led land use and transportation study that will provide a framework for the next 50 years in our six-county region. We are proud to be at the forefront of the Public Involvement Committee and to be a catalyst for diverse public participation in the Grand Vision process. Now we embark on an even greater journey, helping to procure significant resources to support implementation of the vision.
Thank you for your commitment to our common purpose. Together, we do more than any of us could alone.
Sincerely,
Donald Fraser, D.O.
Chair, Rotary Charities
