Rotary And The Coronavirus Impact - Part 1 of 2

A: Yes. Rotary will tap into its decades of experience in bringing polio to the brink of eradication, to highlight the power and efficacy of vaccines. Rotary’s tenacity, strategic partnerships, and innovation can all support the effort to protect communities from COVID-19. 

 

Rotary and its partners at the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) recently announced that it is ready to support vaccine introduction and delivery. The group is also committed to equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and lending its support to ensure that all communities have equal access to vaccines.

 

More information and resources will soon be available for clubs and districts. 

A: Yes, they are. At a recent joint session, the RI Board and Trustees created a joint task force that will develop and execute a plan to encourage Rotary and Rotaract clubs to support vaccinations. 

A: There are several ways members can get involved. Members can enhance community education on COVID-19 vaccinations by sharing information from local and regional health authorities and supporting their efforts. They should contact local health departments to determine where assistance is most needed. Moreover, members can connect with local health officials, including World Health Organization and UNICEF where applicable, to advocate for and support their efforts to ensure all communities receive equal access to the vaccine. 

A: Yes. Rotary is asking members to disseminate accurate, fact-based information as provided by local health agencies. It’s important to spread the word that vaccines work by using #vaccineswork in their social media postings. Highlight Rotary’s work on polio as a key example. 

 

Members can invite medical professionals or local health officials to speak at club meetings. Try to also engage with local media, for example writing letters to the editor, in support of local efforts and vaccine safety and efficacy—using Rotary’s success in polio eradication as a proof point.

A: Members need to continue to participate in projects that support mask wearing, social distancing, proper hygiene practices, and donations of personal protection equipment. 

 

More importantly, members should lead by example, by wearing masks and practicing social distancing  . Share images online that reflect these lifesaving behaviors. Get vaccinated. When the time arrives for you to receive the vaccine, share your experience online. 

A: Let the Rotary world know what your club or district is doing to support COVID-19 vaccine introduction efforts by posting your initiatives and projects on Rotary Showcase. 

 

A: In our work to end polio, the program sees the devastating impact that communicable diseases have. With this in mind, we are fully committed to supporting national health systems by engaging our expertise and assets to help mitigate and contain the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside continuing concerted efforts to eradicate polio.

 

Using the vast infrastructure developed to identify the poliovirus and deliver vaccination campaigns, the polio eradication program is pitching in to protect the vulnerable from COVID-19, especially in polio-endemic countries. From Pakistan to Nigeria, the program is drawing on years of experience fighting outbreaks to support governments as they respond to the new virus. Learn more.

A: Rotary and its partners remain steadfastly dedicated to fulfilling our promise of a polio-free world, and work continues to meet the remaining challenges. We still need the support of Rotarians everywhere to help make global polio eradication a reality.  The most important way that Rotary members can continue the fight polio is to raise $50 million each year for PolioPlus, which is matched 2-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. By continuing to raise funds for polio eradication, you’ll ensure that Rotary and its partners can continue its critical work to vaccinate vulnerable children against polio, perform vital surveillance activities, and implement new strategies to meet the remaining challenges to achieving a polio-free world.

A: Yes, the RI Board and the Foundation Trustees meetings will take place remotely via webinar rather than in-person.

A: Yes. At the January 2021 Rotary International Board of Directors meeting, the Board made important decisions to reflect Rotary’s clear responsibilities in mitigating the threat of COVID-19. As the pandemic continues to surge in many parts of the world, protecting the health and safety of our employees, members and families, and communities must be our first priority.  

The Board decided to host the Rotary International Convention virtually again this year. As an added precaution, the Board also decided not to fund any expenses (travel and otherwise) associated with in-person meetings for Rotary leaders for the remainder of the Rotary year, other than for the president, president-elect, and trustee chair. This decision applies to directors, trustees, regional leaders, district governors, assistant governors, and other leaders. RI Board meetings and committee meetings will remain virtual as well. 

Through this decision, Rotary is following the guidance of the World Health Organization and national public health authorities in limiting unnecessary travel and observing the best public health practices, fulfilling our responsibility to best protect our members and the communities we serve. 

Read more about Rotary-funded travel. 

A: All RI staff travel, both international and domestic, has also been canceled through 30 June 2021. 

RI staff at Evanston headquarters and all of Rotary’s global offices are practicing social distancing by working from home.

 

A: Yes. The RI Board decided not to fund any expenses (travel or otherwise) for in-person meetings for Rotary leaders for the rest of the Rotary year, other than for the RI president, president-elect, and Foundation trustee chair. This decision applies to directors, trustees, regional leaders, district governors, assistant governors, and other leaders. 

A: All grants approved before 1 February that include funded travel can proceed with that travel as planned as long as the travel situation has been reviewed and deemed allowable by The Rotary Foundation. Any grants approved after 1 February will need to hold off on any travel until after the suspension is lifted. Your regional grants officer will work with you on any grants including travel.

Q: Will Rotary refund me for expenses related to cancelling my event or attendance, such as airfare, venue, accommodation, etc.? 

A: In line with the Board’s decision, Rotary will not issue refunds for expenses related to in-person events or meetings. Please review your contracts and cancellation policies; most vendors have been flexible with respect to cancellation fees.

A: No travel from 1 February through 30 June will be funded, even if that travel was previously approved and/or purchased by RITS. If your ticket was issued, RITS will initiate the refund request only for travel that was pre-approved and purchased through RITS.

A: Peace fellows currently studying abroad will be funded to return home. 

A: As an organization at the forefront of fighting global disease, including COVID-19, we have clear responsibilities in mitigating the impact of this pandemic. And as leaders in our communities, Rotary members set an example for others. During the past year, our organization has done a remarkable job adapting to these unique circumstances with excellent results, and Rotarians have found effective and innovative ways to meet virtually.  

This is a rapidly evolving public health crisis and we all have an important role to play in the months ahead. Although some countries have done an admirable job managing the pandemic, and the threat may not seem severe everywhere, as a humanitarian organization we must act responsibly to protect our members and the communities we serve. 

A: During the past year, our organization has done a remarkable job adapting to these unique circumstances with excellent results, and Rotarians have found effective and innovative ways to meet virtually. 

The Rotary Learning Center created a new topic, Meeting Online, where members can share their own resources and best practices with one another. And visit the Rotary Voices blog, for numerous examples of how clubs and members are carrying out virtual events and service projects.
 

Find useful and up-to-date information on the coronavirus. 

Donate to the Disaster Response Fund – Your gift helps Rotary clubs provide disaster recovery and support rebuilding efforts, including projects related to COVID-19.