The Group Study Exchange (GSE) committee is responsible for selecting a Rotarian team leader and non-Rotarian team members sponsored by the clubs to represent Rotary and Distirct 6980 for an international vocational and cultural exchange.   The team selected this year will travel to District 2490, which represents the entire country of Israel, for 30 days in Spring 2010 (official dates not yet confirmed).   Our District will host the GSE Team from District 2490 during a similar time period.

Following the GSE Team selection process, the committee assists the team leader in preparing the team for its outbound exchange. The committee is also responsible for obtaining host clubs and developing a comprehensive activity schedule for the inbound team.

Committee Chair:  Chris Stubbs (Sanford) Email:  Group-Study-Exchange [at] RotaryDistrict6980.org

 For more information on Group Study Exchange, visit the Rotary International’s web site. CLICK HERE. 

The World Peace Fellowships committee will interview and select a candidate from among sponsored applicants from the clubs of the district. The successful candidate will then enter an international selection process. Those selected by the Rotary Foundation Trustees, go on to earn a master's level degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from 1 of 6 major universities throughout the world. This program represents Rotary's focus to helping nation's resolve future conflicts by finding a peaceful resolution.

Committee Chair:  Marty Kramer (Winter Springs) Email:  World-Peace-Scholar [at] RotaryDistrict6980.org

For more information on the World Peace Fellowships program, visit the Rotary International’s web site.  CLICK HERE. 

The Ambassadorial Scholarship program, the world's largest privately funded international scholarships program, is the oldest and best-known initiative of The Rotary Foundation. Since 1947 nearly 47,000 men and women from about 110 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. The District Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee is responsible for selecting a candidate (or candidates) who will serve as an unofficial ambassador of goodwill in a country (other than their own), while studying on a post-graduate level. Scholars may either be selected from a district in a developing country to study in District 6980 or scholars from District 6980 may be selected to study abroad. Selected candidates are not officially Ambassadorial Scholars until they are endorsed by The Rotary Foundation. The District Allocation Committee decides annually if funding will be available for the Ambassadorial Scholarship program and how many scholars may be funded.

For more information on Ambassadorial Scholarships, visit the Rotary International’s web site.  CLICK HERE. 

The Alumni subcommittee’s role is to get reacquainted with as many past recipients or participants of Rotary International and Rotary Foundation programs as possible, such as GSE, Ambassadorial Scholars, Peace Scholars, University Teachers Grants and Rotary Youth Exchange. The goal is to have them get reconnect with Rotary and make a lifetime commitment either by joining a Rotary Club, helping clubs with volunteer efforts, making a financial contribution to The Rotary Foundation or any combination of the three.

Committee Chair:  Don Miers (KissimmeeBay) Email:  Alumni [at] RotaryDistrict6980.org

For more information on Rotary Alumni, visit the Rotary International’s web site.  CLICK HERE. 

The Permanent Fund Committee is a source of information and support for individual Rotarians and clubs in the district regarding gifts and bequests to The Rotary Foundation Permanent Fund. The Committee helps Rotarians to become Benefactors and Bequest Society members. Major Donors to the Permanent Fund can receive significant tax advantages and possible income payments for life as part of their retirement and estate plans. This fund is an endowment that is essential to supplementing the Annual Fund and to ensuring the long-term viability of the Foundation.

Committee Chair:  Past District Governor George Huffman (Orlando) Email:  Permanent-Fund [at] RotaryDistrict6980.org

For more information on the Permanent Fund, visit the Rotary International’s web site.  CLICK HERE. 

The Annual Giving committee’s role is to continually promote The Rotary Foundation’s many programs and to ensure that these programs are annually funded by Rotarians and the clubs. This is done by conducting club assemblies on The Rotary Foundation, encouraging the Sustaining Member, EREY (Every Member Every Year) and Paul Harris Society programs, and to work with the DRFC Chair, recognizing those who financially support these programs.jects.

Committee Chair:  Past District Governor Charlie Rogers (Celebration)    Email:  Annual-Programs-Fund [at] RotaryDistrict6980.org

For more information on Annual Programs Fund, visit the Rotary International’s web site.  CLICK HERE. 

In 1985 Rotary International launched PolioPlus, the first and largest internationally coordinated private-sector support of a public health initiative, with an initial pledge of US$120 million.

In 2003, The Rotary Foundation raised S$119 million from its membership in a 12-month campaign. Rotary’s total contribution to polio eradication exceeds $500 million. By 2006, the number of polio-endemic countries has dropped to four (Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, Pakistan), the lowest in human history.

In 2009, Rotary’s overall contribution to the eradication effort totals nearly $800 million. In January, starting our third fund raising effort, Rotary and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledge a combined $555 million -- which includes Rotary’s $200 Million Challenge -- all of it in support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Rotary District 6980 has raised approximately $600,000 since 1985 for Polio Plus.

The Rotary Foundation goal for Polio Plus is for each club to commit $3,000 per club over the next two years.   Our Polio Plus committee’s responsibility is to assist each club to reach their commitment.

Committee Chair:  Jim Greene (Oveido) Email:  Polio-Plus [at] RotaryDistrict6980.org

For more information on Polio Plus, visit the Rotary International’s web site. CLICK HERE.

The Grants subcommittee’s role is to assist the club’s with developing ways to participate in local and international service projects, and receive Rotary Foundation Grants to help with the funding of these projects. The committee will assist the clubs in all aspects of putting together and submitting a grant. The committee is also responsible for reviewing and certifying the accuracy of all grants before they are submitted to The Rotary Foundation.

Committee Chair:  Bob Shydo (Sanford)  Email:  Humanitarian-Grants [at] RotaryDistrict6980.org

For more information on Humanitarian Grants, visit the Rotary International’s web site.  CLICK HERE.