International Service Committee

This month here are some examples of how the District International Service Committee is assisting clubs like yours.  For some interesting international Shark Tank projects read on!  Also, details on how, on your behalf, we approach overseas Rotary Clubs to identify solid Global Grant projects that have strong host support.  Contact any of us if we can be of Service to your club!  International Service Committee EM Addresses
 
District 6250 Foundation Inc. - Ukrainian Relief - $60,000 raised to date.
Assisting in leveraging existing relationships with specific Rotary Clubs in the Ukraine, Poland (pictured below) and the Netherlands who are heavily involved the Ukraine refugee situation.  Funds have been sent and detailed Project Report information can be found here:  District 6250 Ukrainian Relief Reports
Sun Prairie Rotary Club – PE John Holevoet.
Introduction to a Global Grant involving the Rotary Club of Poznan, Poland and the Zlotowianka Foundation.  Subject to Sun Prairie Board Approval.
 
La Crescent Rotary Club – PE John Farnen MD
Laying contacts with Rotary in Nepal with a view toward the possibility of a Global Grant (if not with La Crescent then another 6250 club). Also, possible interest in specific Ukrainian relief efforts.  Subject to La Crescent Board Approval. 
 
La Crosse After Hours Club – Rotarian Sierra Lyon
Assistance in researching and establishing connections for a possible Global Grant in either Suriname or Columbia.  The two countries were identified by the club as of highest interest together with specific focus areas.  Subject to LCAH Board Approval.
 
All District 6250 Clubs - Opportunities in the Mediterranean. 
Via Zoom, five small projects (under $8,000 each) presented at the Mediterranean Rotaract “Shark Tank” finale.  These are possible District Grant projects open to all District 6250 clubs.  Three projects are in Lebanon, one in Tunisia, one in Morocco.  Link to the video recording of “Shark Tank” can be found here (warning, includes heavy District 6250 “shark” involvement :)  Recording
 
Team One – “Ally for Change” presented Aqua Agri Act (Lebanon).  Involves water filtration, a park, and irrigation.
 
Team Two – Dreamers presented Foodies (Tunisia and Egypt).  Pilot program to divert restaurant preparation food waste from landfill to feeding hungry.
 
Team Three- BeyCycle (Lebanon).  Three phase approach (plan, design, implement) to improving bicycle safety and encourage more bicycle usage.
 
Team Four – Cleaning Valley of Wad Martil (Morocco).  A one-time event to clean up a garbage strewn area.
 
Team Five – Les Rebelles (Lebanon).  Pilot program to divert waste from rug making to make purses.
 
Finally, this correspondence was recently sent to an overseas Rotarian already known to our District.  It illustrates how the ISC attempts to help District 6250 clubs identify solid projects and partners by leveraging existing Rotary relationships.
 
Thanks very much for your response.  We’re very much looking for Global Grant projects that lead to long-term relationships between Rotarians in District 6250 and Rotarians in your country, district, and clubs. 
 
Of course, the larger the project the more challenging it is to realize.  Therefore, we prefer smaller Global Grants as our clubs can more easily assist with these. 
 
Here are some guidelines that we use to determine whether to support a Global Grant.  We often find that following these guidelines leads to stronger Global Grant applications.
 
  • We look for Global Grants that have Host partner support at both the Club and District level.
  • We look for projects where the International Global Grant club partner still needs to be identified and where one of our clubs could become that partner.
  • We look for strong Host Club financial contributions and grant writing abilities.
  • We look for projects which will receive strong support from your District in terms of a DDF (District Designated Funds) contribution.
  • We look to establish relationships that extend beyond the Global Grant … maybe Friendship Exchange, Youth Exchange, future projects etc..
 
In return we have clubs who are interested in participating as the International Partner on a Global Grant.  They could offer:
 
  • International Partner Club financial contributions.
  • 1:1 District 6250 DDF match of the Club’s contribution.
  • Support in writing the grant (as possible) and in servcing as a liaison with the Rotary Foundation / Rotary Foundation Staff (if needed).
 
Please let us know if what we’ve outlined above is of any interest.