By PDG Murray Verso, Zone 8 End Polio Now Coordinator
Rotary’s number one priority remains the worldwide eradication of polio.
The amazing progress made by Rotary and its partners towards eradicating polio is inspirational, but the job is not yet done. Raising US$50 million each year to obtain the maximum Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 2-to-1
match is a challenge.
The PolioPlus Society is a new fundraising and recognition program that specifically supports PolioPlus. The program began in Oregon, USA in 2012 and is now being used successfully by districts throughout North America, Brazil and The Philippines. Now, Rotary members and others in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands will have the opportunity to participate.
What is the PolioPlus Society?
To increase sustainable giving, the PolioPlus Society (PPS) encourages Rotary members and others to
pledge at least US$100 per year to the PolioPlus Fund until polio is eradicated from the face of the earth. Worldwide, there are now more than 5,000 PPS members contributing at least US$2 a week,
generating over half a million dollars annually.
The Society has been praised by Senior Rotary Leaders as a model for others to follow. Now, District leaders in Australia and New Zealand are looking at establishing societies in each of our 21 districts.
Who administers the PolioPlus Society in Zone 8 Districts?
Each society will be managed by the district itself, in much the same way as the Centurion program
(which focuses on giving to the Annual Fund). In most districts, this will be handled by the District PolioPlus Chairs, or their designates. They will receive the application forms from members, present members with PPS certificates and lapel pins, maintain a list of Society members and send out reminders as required.
How do I join the PolioPlus Society?
Joining your District’s PPS is a simple two-step process.
Firstly, you will need to complete the PolioPlus Society Commitment Form and send it to your District PolioPlus Chair. The forms are available from your district chair. They can also be found on some district websites.
The second step is to make your contribution to the “Polio Fund” on the RI website: my.rotary.org/donate.
My Rotary provides options for annual, quarterly and monthly recurring giving. Currently US$100 converts to AUD147 / NZD158 so a monthly contribution of say AUD/NZD15.00 is a convenient option.
Rotary members and their friends who join the Society will be honoured with a special lapel pin and a certificate, which will generally be presented at a club or district meeting. Your contributions will count toward Paul Harris Fellow recognition and Major Donor status and will be matched 2-to-1 by the Gates Foundation.
District Governors, Foundation Chairs and PolioPlus Chairs across our Zone are backing this initiative.
Please consider joining your local PolioPlus Society and encouraging your friends and colleagues to do the same until the world is declared polio-free by the World Health Organization.
