The Action 2 Impact Podcast Season 1 EP.2 Annual Giving Officer Zone 32 Rebecca Silber

Today I'm talking to Annual Giving Officer for Zone 32 Rebecca Silber.

Yes we will be talking a bit about the Rotary Foundation, but mostly we are talking about the money we all give to the foundation. Where dose it go? Who gets it? What projects get the money first? And how can your club can get some of these funds to help you bring that "Rotary Magic" to the world. 

Join us!

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:00

Hi there, everyone. I'm Gwen Jones, and welcome once again to the Action to Impact podcast, the weekly podcast where I introduce you to people from all over the world that are simply turning their actions into impact. And this week, we're talking Rotary Foundation. Now, before your eyes roll, we've got a few spins to add to the words Rotary Foundation. Rachel Silber is joining me. She She happens to be the annual giving officer for Zone 32. And Rachel and I had a great conversation about who gets the money. That's right. We know that the Rotary Foundation, we give to it and it gives back to us. But who gets the money? Rachel is one of those people who can tell you who does and how you can be one of the people who does. Did that make sense? Join me, won't you? We're talking Rotary Foundation, we're talking where the money goes, and we're talking to you starting right now. Welcome back to the podcast, everyone. This is one of those new shows. Remember the Action to Impact podcast? I'm still Gwen, but I have a new guest, which is important. Rebecca Silber is joining me, and we got to know each other at Assembly here in the Northeast. She decided to spend a little time with me on the microphone. She is the annual giving officer for Zone 32, and she's going to explain exactly what that is. She hangs out there at a Rotary's big headquarters. And obviously she does something about giving. So let's receive a little bit of her wonderful wisdom right now. Miss Rebecca, thank you so much for joining me on the show. It's lovely to have you. I'm excited to be here. Thank you for having me, Gwen. Sure. Well, let's get the big elephant out of the room. What the hell is an annual giving officer? Oh my gosh. Annual, you just have to do it just like once a year. That's it. Right. Is that it?

SPEAKER_01: 2:15

I would say I wish that was the case, but I actually am glad that it's not. So an annual giving officer, specifically at Rotary, what we do, and there is a team of us that work with different zones. So it's really

SPEAKER_00: 2:27

officers?

SPEAKER_01: 2:28

Officers. So I am an officer. There are many officers. I think there's, oh gosh, eight or nine of us at this point. And so what we do is we each have a territory. For instance, mine is zone 32. Gotcha. Right. Right. aware of how they can engage with the Rotary Foundation, either through or in a few different ways, but through giving is one of those ways that, of course, you can engage with the Rotary Foundation. And while I am, in fact, a fundraiser, I do think that it's more important to know that the Rotary Foundation is here for you all So you can use the money that you raise to do great things in the world. And I think that that is maybe the most important thing that I try to really convey every single day is that your money that you give to the Rotary Foundation, it's all about going back to your communities and the communities that you serve, whether that's locally or globally.

SPEAKER_00: 3:42

And I do want to touch on that because I think when it comes to the Rotary Foundation, first of all, there's like, different compartments, right? Because there's the Rotary Foundation that does Polio Plus. And we spend a lot of time on Polio Plus and, you know, Michael McGovern's friend of the show, big man on campus there at Polio Plus. Okay. So we love Polio Plus. Yes. We have these universities. Cool. Very cool. We make these peace fellows that go all over the world and say, make love, not war. Yes. They don't say that, but you know what I mean? Yes.

UNKNOWN: 4:18

Thank you.

SPEAKER_00: 4:19

Then we have this kind of third part, which is, oh, by the way, if you raise money, the foundation will help you. And we have had your folks on saying just that. Yes. And my question is, hi, I'm Gwen Jones from this small little club. How on earth would I ever get some of that money from that big pot? That's the foundation. Like how do we get said money? Yes.

SPEAKER_01: 4:47

So the, I would say easiest, quickest way to do that is to have an active, to make sure you're active with your district grants. So your club, for example, should be active with their district to make sure that they're getting district grant money. So for instance, I actually looked up Zone 32 as a whole. Where is Zone 32? Just remind us. Oh, that's a great. Thank you for asking. So Zone 32 is basically from Philadelphia up to western parts of Maine. OK. Also, we have the tiniest sliver of Canada. It's Sherbrooke. It's just north of Vermont. Basically, I like to say kind of the northeast minus a large part of Maine. But yes, the

SPEAKER_00: 5:38

northeast, but not Maine. OK,

SPEAKER_01: 5:40

gotcha.

SPEAKER_00: 5:41

That's one of those question marks for me. I don't know. Mainers will tell you they're kind of their own species.

SPEAKER_01: 5:47

Understood.

SPEAKER_00: 5:47

Yeah.

UNKNOWN: 5:48

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01: 5:49

We do have a little bit of Maine and I love that. But I mean, Mike McGovern's in that district.

SPEAKER_00: 5:54

Yes,

SPEAKER_01: 5:55

he is. Start on a district level. So on a district level, I would also say on a club level. Hopefully your club is engaged in a district grant every single year. So that's where the kind of the annual giving comes in is you should be hopefully raising money every single year so that you can reach out to your district and say, hey, those district designated funds that my members give to every year, hopefully through the annual fund, we want that money back. And we want that money back in the form of a district grant. And so Zone 32, this program year, which is coming to an end, so 2025, did use over$1 million in district-designated funds for district grants. And I'm seeing that each district... Yes, right? And I don't think that you realize that these are dollars. That's some serious dinero, people. It really is. It really, really is. And that's just district designated funds. That's just just. I

SPEAKER_00: 6:54

shouldn't say just. That's just in a district. A million bucks was spent in the district. Is that a correct statement? In the districts of Zone

SPEAKER_01: 7:02

32.

SPEAKER_00: 7:03

Yes. So of all 32. So they've got their own funds. And this foundation coughed up another million dollars as well. Right. And

SPEAKER_01: 7:13

that's in addition to global grant funding and kind of if you have any other, gosh, like global grants are also, you know, scholarships. I mean, all kinds of things, water projects, health. I mean, so the district designated that million in Zone 32. Yes, was the Northeast United States got back a million dollars. So, I mean. I know that some clubs, for instance, they reach out to their districts through the district grant process and say, hey, you know, we need$1,000 to help get books for our library. Right. And I know a lot of people say, well, what about my club foundation? Because I know a lot of clubs have those separate entities. I love to say that a rising tide lifts all ships. So if your club has$1,000 to give towards a book drive for library, a library in your community and you get another thousand from district designated funds, that's$2,000. So you can really piece it all together. So we're here to make sure that that money is in existence. You can get it back to do great in your communities. That's

SPEAKER_00: 8:21

so, yes. Yeah. And I, and I'm sorry to interrupt, but, but I think it's really important to say that you just started there with a thousand bucks. Cause they hit rotary magazine are like, Oh, you guys gave$250,000 to make such and such to such and such, which is great. And I think in some ways, some of the smaller clubs, now I'm going, I'm in a club now in Beverly that has 100 members. I come from a club that had 40 members. And so when we look, and when we were looking at$250,000, we were like, wow, nice to be them. And I think there are some clubs that are hearing my voice around the world that are like, You're telling me I could get a thousand bucks from Rebecca? Yeah, yes. That doesn't sound nearly as scary as the other stuff.

SPEAKER_01: 9:10

Yeah, because of that million that I mentioned for all of Zone 32, each project was about$2,000. That was the average project. So, yeah. So, I mean, think about all of the projects that are happening now. Gosh, I should have done my math. I know that it was like every district is averaging about 26 grants, you know,$2,000 grants, but then that means there's some that of course are more than that. Cause that math doesn't really math. I'm sorry. I

SPEAKER_00: 9:38

was going to say, of course, I mean, there are, I mean, you can't write an article about the$250,000 one if there isn't something going there.

SPEAKER_01: 9:45

Yes.

SPEAKER_00: 9:46

Yeah. So, yeah. So

SPEAKER_01: 9:48

I just like, and that's kind of, why I love my job is I know that every single Rotarian has the ability to make really, really great impact in their communities at that level, that 2000 level, you know, every single year, as long as they're making sure that they're navigating that grants process.

SPEAKER_00: 10:09

Navigating that grants process. I know, I know. You just deflated the balloon because there's a whole bunch of people that were off to their district going, oh my God, what happened to me? Rebecca said I could have a thousand bucks. Yeah. But the grants process, I mean, that I know some people are just like, well, that's too hard. Is it too hard?

SPEAKER_01: 10:33

I don't think so. I will say every district at the district, the district designated grants that we're talking about, every district does have the grants. discretion to change that process a little bit. So maybe it's, Oh, you know, your club has to have given, you know, a hundred percent of your members have to have given in order to get a grant or, you know, I know that districts make those types of discretionary kind of caveats. I don't know a better word right now. But I think at that district level, usually it is pretty, simple as long as you just kind of go down the checklist. And in my experience, every district leader, whether it's a district Rotary Foundation chair or a district grants officer, or sorry, district grants subcommittee chair, excuse me, I don't think I've ever had one say, oh, no, I wouldn't help a club with that process. I mean, yeah, I think that, sorry, I know that Rotarians are incredibly helpful people. And so The people in those two roles that I mentioned, district Rotary Foundation chair and district grants subcommittee chair, they're in those roles because they really want to make sure that money gets used and put to good use.

SPEAKER_00: 11:52

So is the quote unquote everyday Rotarian kind of their own worst enemy when it comes to this stuff that sometimes we don't just ask for help? I think that's everybody.

SPEAKER_01: 12:02

Okay, Rotarians, we have an issue here. Actually, I think the one thing I could impart on every single Rotarian is if you have a roadblock, if you have an issue, there is definitely somebody either in your district or at Rotary International who is waiting to hear from you.

SPEAKER_00: 12:25

Okay. And I, and I think that's really refreshing because I, you know, I, on this show, we really do like to break myths. We break them all the time and, you know, but you guys are the high castle on the hill. Yes. You know, and I don't think a lot of Rotarians believe that. I mean, they would rather sit there in the trenches than go help, please, you know? And so is that, I mean, that could kind of be our own problem. I

SPEAKER_01: 12:55

think it might be. And I think if you flip that around of, you know, libertarians are always wanting to help people. Let us help you. Let us help the helpers. Yeah. Like, doctor, heal thyself. Right, right. Like, maybe you're getting to the actual, like, kind of kernel of maybe one of our biggest pain points is healing. I know as somebody who is very passionate about helping others, sometimes it's hard to ask for help myself. And I feel like maybe... Amen, sister....things can be said about Rotarians. Please let us help you. I think that's my biggest kind of... grumble on the team I work on is we just wish more people would reach out to us, mostly at the district level. We usually work with the district level and the regional level so that they can get all of that information to Rotarians and clubs. We really do wish more people would put us to use every single day.

SPEAKER_00: 13:52

Yeah. So do you guys get a budget every year? So as this is being recorded, we are pretty much mid-June. We are We are seniors in high school. We're going to slide our way through the last few weeks of the road. Does that mean July 1st, you're going to get a new chunk of money? And as of this next two weeks, you're trying to get every single dime out the door? Is this a very interesting time? Oh, that's a really good question. Do you give away all the money?

SPEAKER_01: 14:25

Well, I will say... So I'm not a grants officer, so I don't really know whether or not they're in like a tizzy right now to get dollars out the

SPEAKER_00: 14:36

door. You get a loan in. Right, right. I would

SPEAKER_01: 14:40

have to defer to my colleagues in the grants department on that one. But I do know that for Rotarians, for those district dollars, there is a timeline. So You have to use the... This is where it gets really... This is where we understand that it gets complicated and we're so happy to walk you through the process because it is... Go for it. We're here. Okay. So through the annual fund share program, you give... a Rotarian, any donor, not just Rotarians, but mostly Rotarians give. And then three years later, those district designated funds come back to your district. Those

SPEAKER_00: 15:19

million dollars. So the more you're just, so guys, just, I'm going to stop her right here by saying the more that you give in your district, the more that comes back to your district. And I don't know how many times I've said that on this show, but if you're just like, if you're, if everybody in your district is just giving to polio plus guess what? You're awesome. But none of those funds are coming back to your district. They're going to polio. There is a difference. I would say you're awesome.

SPEAKER_01: 15:51

And none of those funds are...

SPEAKER_00: 15:54

You're awesome. Thank you. I'm a polio annual giver. So, you know, but I know that none of them are heading back to my district. Correct. Is that correct? Correct. Yes.

SPEAKER_01: 16:07

Okay. So... So yes, so going back to the timeline. So if your district did not use all of their district designated funds for the year, they do roll over to the next year. However, I know, however, then your district has more restrictions on how they can spend those dollars. So yes,

SPEAKER_00: 16:33

I know. So the way to look at it is, If you don't use your money, we're going to penalize you for not. No, no.

SPEAKER_01: 16:40

If you don't use your money in that program year, then you have, then you, I'm going to just be a real, real difficult right now. Then you can choose to use it to give to things like polio eradication through just, you know, but I will say this. It's just, you can't use them as district designated funds for district grants anymore. So it just becomes, yeah. So it's, yeah. Let me see. I'm going to totally please don't quote me on this. I don't think I'm going to get all of them, but I know you can direct it to polio. You can direct centers. And I believe you can also direct it to global grants that other districts are doing. I want to say that's the piece that I get a little foggy on. But you can still direct it. Your district can still direct it elsewhere. It's just you can't use it. in those district designated grants.

SPEAKER_00: 17:33

So let's face it, that's a lot of money. That just doesn't go to work. Is that correct? And

SPEAKER_01: 17:38

that's why you need to be working with your districts and your districts. Hopefully you're working very closely with us at the foundation to get those dollars spent in your communities. And the way that you, and that you as a donor want them to be spent, because I don't know any donor who says, who's gives to an annual fund and says, please don't spend these dollars. Please keep these and never use them. So, yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 18:03

And I think that's really important. So if you're driving and your car right now and you're listening to our voices and you gave to the annual fund, if your district is not dotting every I and crossing every T and working with their district governor, then you've given money to someplace else. I mean, that's kind of down and dirty what you're saying. I mean, it does percolate for three years. It does percolate for three years. And I know you said that, but I wonder if Because I know for a fact on a district level at 50-50, I know there's been some years we have not given away all the money. And I don't think I knew that use it or lose it is actually something that is very true. My words, use it

SPEAKER_01: 18:53

or lose it.

SPEAKER_00: 18:55

Or have it go

SPEAKER_01: 18:55

somewhere else. Have it go to one of the other fantastic things that the foundation does and that Rotarians are committed to all over the world.

SPEAKER_00: 19:03

And that's because Rebecca, you work for them and you're going to use those nice words. And I'm going to say, look here, people, get your P's and Q's together because if you don't use it, Rebecca and her staff are happy to put it to work somewhere else, which could also be a great thing. I'm not Mocking all those other things. Global grants still happen with those

SPEAKER_01: 19:26

dollars. Yes. And I will also say this. Your district still has to, once those district designated funds are no longer available. for the district grants, your district then does decide eventually where they go,

SPEAKER_00: 19:40

so. Okay, so it's not like you and your group like pour a glass of wine and go, we have all this money. No, your

SPEAKER_01: 19:47

district still needs to decide where those dollars, which funds they go to. Yes. And actually, the other thing is in this to really, oh, gosh, really, really love complexity at the foundation. After a few years, you can also designate those dollars to go to an endowment fund that your district then gets the proceeds from the investments. So, like, really, if you want to get I know, I know you're

SPEAKER_00: 20:14

getting thick in the weeds. And so then, of course, that's that's going to lead the question, is the foundation just so good? So I will

SPEAKER_01: 20:24

say that, yes,

SPEAKER_00: 20:26

we are

SPEAKER_01: 20:28

very complicated because of, I think, all of the fantastic people who raise money every single year for us. And I say that, I know I'm a staff fundraiser, but the people on the ground who are really beating the bushes saying, I love the foundation. I'm a Rotarian, please give. And that's one of our biggest successes is we have so many people on the ground saying that. That money is, it's a large pot of money. And so we need to make sure it's stewarded and spent in the way that makes the most sense for you all and your wishes. But because of this big number of this big amount that does not get spent, we've had to make sure that it can be spent in a way that makes the most sense for you all. And that's why this endowment thing is happening, because we want you to have that money back. And this also goes to, I don't know if you're aware of this, Gwen, but in 2021, it was decided by the Board of Trustees that after five years of rolling over those district designated funds, we are going to make it required that districts designate those funds somewhere because there were districts who were sitting on those dollars year after year after year. And again, that's not the intention of a donor. When they give those dollars, they want them to be spent. So that is why we eventually did say, you know what, districts can then roll that money into an endowment fund for their own district to be then invested in And the spendable earnings can be then used in the district. I'm going to like asterisk all of this with, that's why we're here to help you navigate that. So if Rebecca and I haven't confused you enough already, they're happy to take your call. Share at rotary.org if you have questions. There's a fantastic team there that can answer all of your questions about anything district designated fund, district designated fund rollover, or honestly, just making sure that your district is spending those dollars as efficiently as possible.

SPEAKER_00: 22:39

Which is a great thing for you to say, because as we're recording this, like I said, we are near the end of the Rotary year. And I know for a fact that there are quite a few district governors that are going to be handed gab in the next couple of weeks. Happening right now. I love seeing all the photos. Happening right now. In fact, I have two this coming week that I am either emceeing or doing. So I have a very busy week ahead of me, as well as you do too, getting ready for Calgary. But so should we encourage those new district governors to go, where can they go and see soap? How much money do I have or how much money got rolled over? Is there a place for them to see what their magic treasure chest holds?

SPEAKER_01: 23:22

Absolutely. There are so many reports on my rotary. I mean, district governors have already made sign-ins. I know they have. Oh, good. Logins. So they have, especially as district governors, they have access to so many reports on there. And one of them is the available DDF report. Which would be new this year. which as of July 1, actually, I mean, it gives you like a three-year track too, to see.

SPEAKER_00: 23:50

So I was going to say, okay, so the funds from three years ago, so we're recording, this is 2025, 24, 23. So the 2023 funds have nicely percolated and they're ready to go as of now. Is that correct? They will be. Yes.

UNKNOWN: 24:06

Okay.

SPEAKER_01: 24:06

And so, yeah. And so your district governor can see a lovely report on their of all of the funds that are ready to be spent that have been, yeah, it's for the, it's for the current year that we're, that we will be in by the time this, this drops. Yes. Right.

SPEAKER_00: 24:21

Yeah. So then district governors, I challenge you all over the world that hear my voice. I'm very honored that, that there is, that this goes all over the world. So check that out and have Rebecca and her crew empty out their coffers. I mean, have we ever, Emptied out a coffer in a year? I mean, have we ever spent all the money?

SPEAKER_01: 24:41

The districts definitely have individually, but absolutely not as a rotary world. I mean, I've never seen a report that says that we have, so I'd be shocked if it's ever happened. Would that be cool? Would you like that? That would be super cool. Think of all of the amazing things that will have taken place if we every year got rid of, got rid of, spent all of that money. Got rid of. I can use those words. Get

SPEAKER_00: 25:07

it out

SPEAKER_01: 25:07

of

SPEAKER_00: 25:08

there because you got

SPEAKER_01: 25:08

to

SPEAKER_00: 25:09

make room for more.

SPEAKER_01: 25:11

Make room for more. And also, even more importantly, do the amazing projects that you're doing, because I know that. I know that my favorite part of my job is hearing all the great things that are, that are being done with the dollars that you put to work.

SPEAKER_00: 25:24

It's inspiring. It makes, it makes it easier for you to go to work. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01: 25:28

It's, it really is. My favorite thing is hearing about all of the great, like just the, the people, the lives that are impacted by the dollars that you guys give and then grant out. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 25:42

So I guess the biggest question is how much money are we talking about?

SPEAKER_01: 25:47

Oh, goodness. I mean, are you talking about this current Rotary year that we're closing?

SPEAKER_00: 25:53

Yeah. If you happen to know, I'm not asking you down to the Senate, to the single cent, but estimated, how much money do we have in different coffers, roughly, that we have the opportunity to give out? Yes. So,

SPEAKER_01: 26:09

I mean, annual fund... Just by itself, worldwide, in the rotary world, this year, we've raised$147 million. That's a lot of$1,000 grants. That's a lot of$1,000 grants. That's a lot, people. Yes, yes. So, I mean, again, that's worldwide. Sure. In Zone 32, the number's around$3 million currently. I think it's around$32 million. It's amazing. And actually, I shouldn't say currently. Those are dollars as of end of May because I usually run my reports towards the end of each month. And I think even more impressively, that's about 20% up from the same time last year. So we have really, and I say we because it's everybody together has really done a fantastic job this year of raising dollars and more importantly saying this is what the dollars are going to do. And have been doing.

SPEAKER_00: 27:06

So I have had officers from the foundation on the show before, and sometimes they do give gloom and doom that it's more money, but it's more money by the same people.

SPEAKER_01: 27:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 27:23

Okay. So, you know, we've got the clump society people and that's my goal. I want to be a clumper one day. Yeah. I want, I think I even want a shirt that says I am a clumper. Oh my gosh. We haven't had shirts yet. Maybe. Yeah. I think we could copyright. I'm a clumper. You're a clumper. We should all be clumpers together. I mean, it could be great. We'll have a whole, we'll, we'll, we'll, we'll talk about swag later. Yeah. But, but is that, True. Is it still kind of a small amount of people giving all the money or are we actually as an organization really starting to spread out and more voices are adding to the foundation these days?

UNKNOWN: 28:04

Yes. So.

SPEAKER_01: 28:05

It's not, it kind of, I'm really trying to figure out the best way to talk about this. I know that about- No one's listening. Just tell them. Come on. Well, I know that about 20% of gifts, sorry, that's incorrect. 52% of gifts are given at$1,000 or below. Wow. Okay. So just about over half. All right. Worldwide. Yes. Yes. So- I think that illustrates just how important it is that everybody gives because the groundswell of people giving is really what builds those dollars. And, of course, we have amazing donors who give historic numbers, you know, historic numbers every single year.

SPEAKER_00: 28:47

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01: 28:48

And we love that. Of course we love that. I mean, we could not get new peace centers, you know, dedicated without those types of gifts, obviously.

UNKNOWN: 28:57

Sure.

SPEAKER_01: 28:58

But I love knowing that so many people come together to make such great impact. I mean, I really do. I do get chills and maybe I'm a sentimental person, but I do get chills knowing that Rotarians by and large do step up because they know that it's important to stand behind the work that they do.

SPEAKER_00: 29:20

So. Of course,$1,000 makes you a Paul Harris. Isn't that correct? So just to let you know that the foundation people are the Paul Harris pin people. I do have a Paul Harris... that I lost and then was given back to me. And I think it's funny. And then I found my original Paul Harris pin. And so I have one before the facelift and after the facelift. Oh, that's so fun. Yeah, you've got both versions. So just to let you know, and for the people who get that, get that, go ahead and take a look at your old Paul Harris pins. He had a fabulous nip tuck by the foundation. A few years ago, he was getting a little jowly. Yes. I don't have the old pin. Yes. Yeah. So if you look at one of the old pins and the people who get this are cracking up right now, he was a little jowly, a little wrinkly. He got himself a nice. Now he's got, he's fabulous, but I'm sure he's spinning in his grave, but so that is the Paul Harris. You are the Paul Harris people. Yeah. And. Just as a history geek, why do we get Paul Harris pins? Was that the initial, if you know this question? Oh, I don't actually. So it's like, uh-oh. So there's your homework. Okay, yeah. Or someone who's hearing my voice. I'm sure somebody knows. Send Rebecca an email because we have, you get a Paul Harris, then you get a Paul Harris plus a pretty red pin. dot and then a blue dot. And then after you give them and give them and give them, you become a clumper or a, or a bigger donor. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01: 31:04

So yes, there's Paul Harris fellow. There's Paul Harris fellow plus one all the way up to Paul Harris fellow plus eight. So once you get there, you've given about a$9,000 donation. Or, and again, because we love complexity at the foundation, somebody can make you a Paul Harris Fellow after they've given$1,000 and they have 1,000 points to give away. It's incredibly unique. I don't know any other organization that lets you give your$1,000 and then also recognize somebody at a similar or same level. But I will also say this, after you've given$1,000,$10,000, and that does have to be of your own dollar.

SPEAKER_00: 31:48

Of your own money.

SPEAKER_01: 31:50

So you can't get 10,000 points, but you have to give the$10,000. That's when you become a major donor. And I know that that's a very special thing for people as well. They have a different pin. There's all kinds of fun things that come along with that too. And I think it's lovely that we celebrate people With those wearable, you know, those pieces, if you want to wear them. I also know people who are, you know, Arch Clump Society members who decide not to wear their pins or decide not to, you know, make a big deal about it necessarily. And we love everybody, no matter what, and what their decision is to whether to wear those pins or not. And some actually, both Major Donor and Arch Clump Society, you can also ask for a pendant as well. A pendant. Oh, yes. They're lovely.

SPEAKER_00: 32:41

They are lovely. Yes. Unfortunately, you know, and it's funny because, you know, this is audio, but I think mine's hanging on the door there. Oh, yes. Oh, my God. So, yeah. All right. That's okay.

SPEAKER_01: 32:55

They're lovely. I think

SPEAKER_00: 32:58

my pendant is also

SPEAKER_01: 32:59

pre-facelift, so

SPEAKER_00: 33:01

good to know.

SPEAKER_01: 33:02

And if you want a little bit of inside information, I think I'm allowed to talk about this because I think it's official. official decision by the board, they are going to be getting another facelift for major donor type. All's looking good. Yes. I mean, we love everybody wrinkles and everything, but I think, yes, but I just think they wanted to make sure that everything matches a little bit more, you know, between the different Versions of wearable recognition. So I hope I haven't spoken out of turn. The rotary police can come after me. But yeah, my understanding is the, the major donor pins and such are about to get a little bit of a facelift in to use your words as well.

SPEAKER_00: 33:44

Awesome. Yeah. So now I have to be, cause I have just a few more questions for you. I saved the very best for last and that is Rebecca. You have to fess up because you're in charge of rotary money, but you are not a Rotarian. I

SPEAKER_01: 33:59

am not a Rotarian.

SPEAKER_00: 34:00

So is that because Rotary likes to like separate church and state? Is there a reason why you're not? So what's up, girl? Yeah. So, I mean...

SPEAKER_01: 34:12

I don't know if I have a great reason not to be a Rotarian. I'm going to say this aloud, and I'm sure I'll get plenty of emails after the fact. From

SPEAKER_00: 34:19

Amy Hopkins and Amanda Ottman and other Rotarians that are right down the hall from you. Go ahead.

SPEAKER_01: 34:24

I'm not a Rotarian. I love Rotarians, and I do know that I spend 40-plus hours a week living and breathing Rotary. So that's my excuse as to why I haven't joined a club yet. I like it. You did write in the email the dot, dot, dot, yet. Okay. Honestly, I don't I don't have a great reason other than I do feel like I live and breathe it in my professional career. So I haven't necessarily taken that extra step yet. But no, there's no provision against being a Rotarian and, you know, being a staff member. There are plenty of staff members who are Rotarians. I think it might be. maybe 45, 50% of Rotarian, or sorry, of staff members might be Rotarians. Please don't quote me on that. I don't know the numbers. But I do really appreciate that the organization lets us come as we are, bring our various skill sets to working at Rotary. And yeah. So do you feel you're kind of like a Rotarian adjacent? I feel like I'm a family member, if that makes sense. Family member, okay.

UNKNOWN: 35:33

Yes.

SPEAKER_01: 35:33

All right. A lot of time with and talking, speaking with and spending time with Rotarians. And I love it. And I also say this. One of my absolute favorite things is because I love to travel. I don't think there's anywhere I've been in the world where I haven't come across some sort of Rotary sign. You know, I got on a plane recently and went to L.A. to visit some friends. And literally within 10 minutes of getting in a car. there was a Rotary book sale going on as I drove past a parking lot. And I'm just like, I love it. I love seeing it. So yes. You can't get away from it though. You can't get away from it in the best way possible. Yes. So I feel very much enfolded into the family. And maybe that's why I haven't felt the need to take the extra step because I do spend a lot of time with Rotary.

SPEAKER_00: 36:25

Yeah. At a Rotary event. So yeah. Yes, exactly. Yes. So what's your dream for the foundation? Like if you woke up tomorrow and the whole pixie dust and unicorns and you rub the lamp or whatever, what does a dream rotary foundation really look like? And I'm not going to say besides level of bureaucratic whatever. Sure, sure, yes. What does a perfect foundation look like?

SPEAKER_01: 36:52

So I'll say two things. If I woke up tomorrow and I could have my wishes as far as the foundation is concerned, polio would be eradicated. There you go. And everybody would know how important the Rotary Foundation is. And that sounds kind of like, I mean, you asked me my dreams. That's what it is. I really don't think Rotarians know how important it is and how much work, how much more work could be done if everybody really kind of pulled up our sleeves together to support financially the Rotary Foundation and also like we've been talking about really make sure those dollars are getting back out.

SPEAKER_00: 37:36

Yeah. Otherwise, after three years, if you don't use them, you lose them. If you don't

SPEAKER_01: 37:43

use them, they get directed by your district to places that are important to your district.

SPEAKER_00: 37:48

So according to the host, the podcast host is like, well, you lose them in your district. That is a fair way to say it, though. I mean, it's not like the foundation is going to give everybody a check back that gave money. Right, right. But the service that it could be doing in your very own district, and I do know there's some small districts that are just like, well, we can't afford that. We can't afford that. I'm encouraging some Rotarians to look at themselves in the mirror and say, are you just not using all of the wonderful stuff that's right at your fingertips or that you could email? I mean, I say it all the time about the learning center. It's just

SPEAKER_01: 38:29

like, You know, gosh, such great resources. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 38:33

In fact, there is a learning center thing about foundation. I just want to say.

SPEAKER_01: 38:37

I'll also say this. If you are thinking to yourself, oh, I wish I had more members. Make sure you're using your dollars to service because members are engaged by service. We know that. Yeah. If you're not doing as much and as best quality service as you can, you're probably not engaging and retaining your members.

UNKNOWN: 38:57

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01: 38:58

And what's a great way to do that service? Use Rotary Foundation dollars. So we do also see ourselves as a member membership benefit.

SPEAKER_00: 39:07

I mean, you really could have a Venn diagram around the. We absolutely

SPEAKER_01: 39:11

do. We've got about it for sure. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 39:15

Just another resource. Yeah. If you have the Pete's fellows, you're going to have. more peace, which means more polio eradication, which means more safer areas for the foundation to do more amazing projects. Yes. All of the above. Yeah. Rebecca, thank you. I will not hold it against you that you're not a Rotarian. Thank you. I have a feeling that if you are cut, you bleed blue. I think that's

SPEAKER_01: 39:43

absolutely fair to say. I'll also say I have a niece who's a recent Ryla grad, if that's what you call them. Yeah. He, after that, I don't know if it was already ingrained him, but after that he led an entirely, sorry, I'm getting welled up. He led a life of service. And I think a lot of that had to do with his youth exchange experience in his childhood or his, you know, young adulthood. We're all surrounded by it, whether we know it or not. And I feel just blessed.

SPEAKER_00: 40:21

You've been pollinated. You've just been. Oh, yes. You can't get away

SPEAKER_01: 40:25

from it. Oh, yes. I very much count myself part of Rotary family and Rotary is also in my family. Yes. Well,

SPEAKER_00: 40:31

thank you so much for being on the show. It has been an honor to finally get to know you besides passing by you in hallway. Absolutely. It was awesome. So, so much. I mean that. What a joy to get to meet you, Rebecca. And I have a very strong feeling you are not, not a Rotarian for much longer. I mean, come on. Your uncle was in it. You got so many people in it. Take the plunge. The water feels fine. Well, as always, I thank you so much for joining me on the podcast. And I'm sure all of my longtime listeners were very happy to see that even though there was a new logo and maybe the So it said season one, episode two or three. It still has the same charm, just different theme music. The Action to Impact podcast is here. And as always, I am so glad you're listening. We have some great guests coming up, including our new Rotary International President. Pretty cool, right? All right, then. Until next week, as I said, Before, with the other name, take care of yourself and the world around you. And I'll hear you next week on the Action to Impact podcast. Thank you, Rebecca. And thank you out there for listening this week. We'll talk to you soon.