Rotarians at Memorial Day Parade

Four clubs Rotarians join in Bloomington-Nomal Memorial Day

Parade in down town Bloomington May 26, 2008.

Color Guards of B/N Rotarians

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Congratulation To The Bloomington

Rotary Club

by Tom O’Connor

The world's first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, was

formed on 23 February 1905 by Paul P. Harris, an attorney who

wished to capture in a professional club the same friendly spirit

he had felt in the small towns of his youth. The Rotary name

derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among

members' offices.

In 1917, Rotary International President Arch C. Klumph

proposed that an endowment be set up “for the purpose of doing

good in the world.” In 1928, when the endowment fund had grown

to more than US$5,000, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation,

and it became a distinct entity within Rotary International. 

Support of the Foundation grew tremendously. Since the first

donation of $26.50 in 1917, it has received contributions totaling

more than $1 billion. More than $70 million was donated in

2003-04 alone. To date, more than one million individuals have

been recognized as Paul Harris Fellows  – people who have

given $1,000 to the Annual Programs Fund or have had that

amount contributed in their name.

On June 19, 2008, the Bloomington Rotary Club was recognized

by Past District Governor Chris Scherer, Rotary Club of Urbana,

for achieving 100% Paul Harris Fellows.  PDG Chris presented

the 100% PHF banner to Club President Cynthia and Foundation

Chair John Meek.  This means that all members of the club have

contributed, or had contributed in their name, $1,000 to the

Rotary Foundation.  The Bloomington Club is one of 55 clubs in

Rotary District 6490.  Only six other clubs have achieved this

honor.  The Bloomington Rotary Club is also the largest club in

the District to achieve this goal.  The Bloomington Club has

named over 180 Paul Harris Fellows and contributed over

$250,000 to The Rotary Foundation.

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Bloomington Rotary Foundation

By Tom O’Connor

The Bloomington Rotary Foundation was established to further

the goals and objectives of the Bloomington Rotary Club.  Our

local foundation is fully recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3)

organization, meaning that all contributions are tax deductible. 

Our main goal is to operate as a receptacle for donations from

Bloomington Rotarians and to use those donations for the

benefit of needy people in the name of the Bloomington Rotary

Club. 

Our foundation currently has about $30,000 in assets.  The main

account is the Zeke Stanfield Dictionary Fund.  While Zeke is no

longer with us, his name and work lives on through the

Bloomington Rotary Foundation.  It is our hope that other funds

will eventually be established in the name of Bloomington

Rotarians and we can carry out good deeds in their name long

after they have departed.  Long time Rotarian, Dr. David Chow,

when he decided to move from the area, made a generous

contribution to the general account of our foundation.

The Bloomington Rotary Foundation has seven members,

Executive Director, Cynthia O'Connor, Secretary Bill Wills,

Treasurer Eric Hjerpe and Directors Bev Poole, Diane

Fishering, Terry McCombs and Tom O'Connor.  If you have

questions or wish to investigate how to establish an account in

your name or the name of a loved one, please feel free to ask

one of these Rotarians. Should you wish to donate stock, or

make a cash donation or simply to change the beneficiary on

an old life insurance policy to the Bloomington Rotary

Foundation, please let one the folks listed above know.  We will

provide all the assistance you need. 

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