Trustee Chair Message

April 2009

Message from the chair -- Let’s End Polio Now

Dear family of Rotary,

In January, Rotary International received another influx of funds from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, bringing that organization’s total contribution to Rotary’s polio eradication efforts to $355 million. In turn, the Gates Foundation has asked Rotarians to match $200 million of that amount. For many organizations, this might seem an impossible task, especially in today’s uncertain economy. But we all know that Rotarians are both generous contributors and master fundraisers.

Our support, however, goes far beyond simply donating money for a good cause. Polio eradication has become a passion for so many Rotarians, a goal that can and must be achieved. And now is the time to achieve it.

Never has Rotary had such strong support in our war on polio. In addition to the funding from the Gates Foundation, World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan has put the full operational power of the WHO into the job of finishing polio eradication. And two governments have made impressive commitments: The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development has pledged £100 million ($150.3 million) for polio eradication over the next five years, and the German government has committed €100 million ($132.3 million). Although this funding is not directed toward meeting Rotary’s challenge, it will help us to move more swiftly toward our goal.

Now is our opportunity to capitalize on all these resources and get the job done. We can’t wait until the economic conditions improve to continue our fight. We must move ahead now. And that means meeting Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge. It is up to our clubs and districts, to each one of you, to make that happen. I encourage you to set ambitious but achievable goals for your club’s contribution to the challenge. Create fundraisers that involve the whole community, letting everyone know that Rotarians are leading the fight to End Polio Now.

Jonathan Majiyagbe
Foundation Trustee Chair