Rotary connections

There are many development organizations in the world, but many do not have a presence in communities overseas without using excellent, but very costly expatriate experts to oversee the use of funds. Rotary International is working to expand another model, in which Rotary clubs in any region of the world can partner with clubs in another country on community projects. In most countries, the partnerships are between clubs in developed countries who would like to help clubs in developing countries to carry out projects in key fields, including education, sanitation, clean water, conflict resolution, health care and disease prevention, etc.

While the mechanics of these club to club partnerships are still being improved to maximize impact and access to grants while allowing for good stewardship of funds, there are already many examples of excellent partnerships where Rotary clubs in Africa have been able to access funds and expertise from fellow Rotarians around the globe while tapping into the talent and expertise of their own members and local professional and workers to get important work done at a very reasonable cost. The Rotary model could be an excellent example of how returned Peace Corps volunteers can find a vehicle in the USA to connect their communities to their countries of service through hands-on cooperative projects. At the same time, our Rotary Club in Northfield, MN, has had several excellent projects over the past few years, brought to our attention by serving volunteers in Africa who have worked with local Rotarians to carry out the projects funded by Rotary grants.

Rotary is not unique in its global presence, but through its involvement with the global polio eradication effort, Rotarians are further along in the process of working to maximize the value of connections made during over twenty years of international cooperation with other Rotary clubs, but also with global organizations like the WHO, UNICEF, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, national governments across the world and community leaders in many of those nations, some of whom are Rotarians and others of whom have just become very adept at working with Rotarians in their communities to affect change and tap into the resources needed to allow local healthcare, sanitation and development professionals to do their jobs even better.

This  idea is not new or even my own, but I''m not sure how many active and returned Peace Corps volunteers are aware of Rotary's international presence and the existing humanitarian grants structures. By including some information about existing programs run by service organizations with an international presence, the volunteers might be empowered to think proactively about possible collaborations from the beginning of their service and could continue to maintain their connections to their countries of service more effectively by connecting with such groups after their years of service, wherever they settle at the end of their tours of duty.