December 15, 2010
Dear Rotary Friends,
Rotarians For Fighting AIDS ( RFFA), a Rotarian Action Group (RAG),
is writing to let you know that Rotary International has approved
new guidelines for RAGs. Although RFFA was recognized as a
Rotarian Action Group by RI in 2005, we lacked a clear mandate
within Rotary. The RI board had all RAGs under review for
some time, and a special RI committee was established to study RAGs
.
Then at the RI board meeting in November, the special committee
proposed new guidelines for RAGs which were approved. They define a
very positive role for RAGs and imply that RFFA will be THE resource
group serving clubs and districts on HIV/AIDS matters.
"A Rotarian Action Group shall be an association of Rotarians who
have as their purpose the advancement of the object of Rotary by
providing assistance and support to Rotary clubs, districts and
multi-districts in planning and implementing large-scale, community
development and humanitarian service projects. Rotarian Action
Groups will serve as RI resource groups in their specialty."
In many ways, RFFA has already been fulfilling this role, putting
together programs that resulted in the care, support and education
of 122,000 Orphans and Vulnerable Children in seven African
countries.
Click here for ANCHOR partnership program.
As the request of District 9200/East Africa, we are obtaining funds
from multiple sources and creating partnerships (FHI, UNICEF and
U.S. Government) to implement a large scale "Rotary Family Health
Day" on April 30, 2011 that will span three countries and include
HIV Testing & Counseling, family counseling, de-worming,
distribution of treated bed nets, sanitary pads, and water and
sanitation support.
We have developed a special donor program for the orphans and
vulnerable children of AIDS that pays for their education, uniforms,
supplies and some nutritional support.
Click here for ORPHAN RESCUE.
Our marketing team is adding a ProjectMATCH
opportunity to the RFFA website so that Rotary Clubs and Districts
that have HIV/AIDS programs in need can find Rotary Clubs and
Districts that have resources. This will be completed in
January.
In addition, a RFFA Members Forum will be launched in January
whereby members can chat about ideas and ask questions in relation
to HIV/AIDS programs in support of vulnerable children.
We consistently strive to develop local Rotary capacity and have
RFFA support teams in place in 10 African countries -
Click Here for locations.
However, RFFA must grow in order to achieve results in the HIV/AIDS
pandemic.
With the new RI guidelines, we have exciting and important new
responsibilities. RI will not provide any funding for RAGs – nor
will they provide extensive support.
We need membership fees to sustain our operations and we need
volunteers to share the workload. You, as a RFFA member, who is
committed to our mandate, can help us meet the challenge. Therefore
please:
- RECRUIT other Rotarians, their partners and
Rotaractors to become members of RFFA. - If you are a District
Governor, please send this message out to your Rotary Clubs
- VOLUNTEER as we need speakers who can help us raise
funds at Rotary meetings, lead country teams, translators for
our website, etc.
Let's work together to help the 17.5 Million orphans and
vulnerable children in Africa who are the tragic consequence of this
disease!
Help us live up to Rotary's expectations and join the RFFA team in
making a difference in the battle against HIV/AIDS! Together we can
provide support to TRF's "Disease Prevention and Treatment" Area of
Focus in TRF's Future Vision Plan.
Click Here to Donate NOW!
Yours in Rotary Service,
Marion Bunch, CEO
On behalf of the RFFA Board of Directors
www.rffa.org
www.reaganspledge.org
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