Every week during the Month of February - we are asking you to bring your +1 to Rotary by inviting a friend, colleague or business person to a meeting, and sharing with them why Rotary is important to you.
A copy of the worksheet will be available on the tables this week and next.
10 years into the Rotary-USAID water and sanitation partnership, here’s what worked, what didn’t — and why.
By Diana Schoberg Photography by Andrew Esiebo
An old piece of railroad track is laid across a pit toilet. The walls are crumbling. The stench is overwhelming. It’s the only toilet for a school in rural Ghana, and most children refuse to use it. They do their business outside instead — or quit school altogether.
This is an all-too-common experience: Half of Ghana’s population lives in rural areas, and only 10 percent of those people have access to basic sanitation. Two-thirds can obtain safe drinking water — after a 30-minute round trip.
Since 2009, Rotary has been working to fix those deficiencies through a partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The partnership combines the business skills and local community leadership of Rotarian volunteers with the technical expertise of USAID. Rotary is contributing $9 million to the $18 million partnership; outside of eradicating polio, it is Rotary’s largest partnership effort. “We wondered how these two organizations could come together and exploit the synergy between them,” says Rotarian Ron Denham, a member of the Rotary-USAID steering committee.
Rotary is working with Toastmasters International to enhance your membership experience through professional development opportunities and making connections beyond your club.
As Rotarians and Rotaractors, you joined Rotary to make a difference and connect with others in your communities.
To help you achieve your personal and professional goals, Rotary International is working with Toastmasters International to provide opportunities to grow your networks, your leadership and communication skills, and your impact within the community.
This alliance with Toastmasters is different from Rotary International's relationships with other organizations: It enhances your membership experience through professional development opportunities and making connections beyond your club.
If you are in need of a program contact Dave Tanner to obtain contact information.
Kevin McLaughlin, Rotary DMAM and McLaughlin Investment, would like to do a program on Social Security Reform. Ron has Kevin's contact info.
Greater Des Moines Age-Friendly Initiative is committed to having Central Iowa become an officially recognized Age-Friendly Region. I believe that our fellow Rotarians will be very interested in learning about the Age-Friendly Community work and how building a more Livable community will be beneficial for all who live, work and recreate in Indianola and throughout Greater Des Moines. Please contact me at 515-444-1237 or by e mail at agefriendlydsm@gmail.com to schedule a program.
