International Service
Overview
John Gale and Greta Du Bois Cleynhens lead the international service committee. This committee considers international projects with a potential for our involvement and monitors the currently active ones. The projects range from small to large, recipients of RI Foundation’s Global Grants. Such projects are submitted to the Foundation; they should include a working roster, a budget, proof of sustainability and be in accordance with the Rotary areas of focus. They can be humanitarian, concerned with education, water and sanitation, health as well as the environment. When approved, Foundation matches the funds raised by the Host Club (club in the country of the project) and by the International Partner Club (RC Cataraqui Kingston). Those clubs work in collaboration and financial participation with other Clubs and Districts of their region .We are presently the International Partner in several such projects spread all over the world. We monitor and evaluate, using the measures established by the Foundation. We communicate on a regular basis with the host clubs, follow the progress of the projects, ensure that reports are sent correctly and on time to Foundation and assure a high-impact outcome. If possible one or several of us visit the project in person to ascertain that it is running well and as such we are building a friendly relationship with the host and other clubs in the foreign country. Smaller international projects receive the same attention, a personal involvement resulting in making friends with Rotarians and communities the world over and fostering a better understanding of each other.
International Friendship Exchange to South Africa
Twelve Rotarians from four clubs in Kingston and Gananoque participated in a Friendship Exchange trip in October 2017 as organized by the Rotary Club of Cataraqui-Kingston and District 9400 in South Africa.
For two weeks they were hosted in the homes of South African Rotarians; they were transported, visited cultural and natural wonders, attended meetings, saw different projects and enjoyed many fellowship events. They traveled to four different regions of District 9400. They became quickly acquainted with daily life in South Africa, the present, the past, and the people of the country. The highlight of the trip was a three-day safari in the bush.
Such Friendship Exchanges foster cooperation between clubs of different countries, involvement in International and local projects, and strong bonds not only on humanitarian but also on a personal level.
At the end of June, ten South African Rotarians from seven clubs in District 9400 were hosted by Rotarians in our region as an Exchange Rotary Friendship group.
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