International Projects

Director: San Asato

The Fourth Object of Rotary is:  "The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional people united in the ideal of service."

This international activity is made possible by the Rotary International Foundation, which we support through our contributions.  The funds that are contributed by our members in our annual RI Fund Drive, are returned after several years to our District - where they support an array of international projects - such as Group Study Exchanges, Rotary Scholars, Student Exchanges, and World Community Service Projects.

Additionally, the Rotary Club of Edina directly sponsors several international humanitarian projects.

Ambassadorial Scholarships

Group Study Exchange

Other Projects

Polio Plus/Clean Water

Student Exchange

District Governor Sandy Schley's Message About Haiti 1-14-2010

Thank you, District 5950 Rotarians, for your many calls and emails asking what you and your clubs can do to lend support to Haiti - the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and a place where our District has been involved for many years with our Safe Water Plus Program. .

In the past twenty-four hours, our District 5950 Foundation Board has made a decision to form a special account to accept funds for earthquake relief and recovery in Haiti, a plan that has been used previously to support relief from natural disasters in other parts of the world.

If you or your club can lend support to our friends in Haiti, please make out your checks to:

District 5950 Foundation - Haiti Relief Fund.
Contributions can be sent to:
PDG Holly Callen, Foundation Treasurer
7903 Wyoming Court
Bloomington, MN 55438.

Foundation President Ron will create a committee to oversee the distribution of the funds collected, working with our District's established connections with the Rotary Clubs of Haiti and other non-governmental organizations. This way, you can be assured that the funds you contribute will reach those in greatest need.

Among the Rotary friends we've heard from is Hervé Denis, Past President of the Delmas Club and owner of the Visa Lodge where the club meets. Early in his career, Hervé, a foreign- service dignitary for Haiti, served as Ambassador to Switzerland and Canada. When our Safe Water Plus Project began, Hervé was the only Haitian Club President who agreed to sponsor our first matching grant for the central plateau in Haiti. He met with District 5950 and World Vision representatives; he traveled repeatedly to Hinche and Pignon; and he was the reliable local to whom funds could be directed because we knew he would handle them properly. In 2004, Hervé spoke at our District Conference and when we tried to compensate him for the travel expenses, he refused the funds and asked that the money be given to help repair a playground for the elementary school in Delmas.

Two years ago, RID Tom Thorfinnson awarded Hervé a Paul Harris Fellowship. The day before yesterday, Hervé lost his mother and younger brother as her home collapsed on them.

Many of you know first-hand of the great need that existed in Haiti before the earthquake devastation. Now, the need is even greater! Please find it in your heart to make a contribution to our friends in Haiti.

While Rotary International (RI) and most service organizations are not set up to do relief work like the Red Cross, Shelter Box, and others, we do get involved in recovery, repair, and reconstruction. Toward that end, Rotary International Director Tom Thorfinnson, has also informed me that a donor-designated fund is being established through The Rotary Foundation (TRF) to be used for longer term recovery and rebuilding efforts. This fund will largely be controlled by the leadership of District 7030, which includes Haiti and nine other countries in the Caribbean countries.

Thank you, Rotarians, for your concern and your contributions. All of your gifts to our friends in Haiti will be appreciated more than you can possibly know!

Sincerely . . . In Service Above Self,

Sandy



Sandra Schley, Governor - 2009-2010

Rotary International District 5950

Two ShelterBoxes deployed