Posted on Mar 01, 2022
 
WASH Rotary Action Group supports and ensures sustainable long-lasting clean water, sanitation, and hygiene programs to communities in need.
 
MARCH IS...Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Month in Rotary. So to kick things off right, District 7030 would like to recognize the work and accomplishments of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Rotary Action Group (WASH-RAG).
 
Water and sanitation represents one of the seven areas of focus for Rotary International.  It has grown in global importance and is also recognized as one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
 
When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families.
 
Unfortunately, it is estimated that unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80 % of all sickness and diseases in the world.
 
However, through water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, Rotary’s people of action mobilize resources, form partnerships, and invest in infrastructure and training that yield long-term change.
 
Rotarians are taking decisive action through WASH programs that assist in provision of infrastructure, training programs and sustainable projects in communities.
 
 

WASH-RAG

The WASH Rotary Action Group was formed in 2007 by a group of Rotarians, recognized by Rotary International, and focused on WASH projects. Since then it has facilitated many hundreds of projects – helping clubs find partners, ensuring sustainability, stressing the importance of a needs-driven approach, and developing best practices. We encourage a holistic, integrated approach in which water is not the end in itself, but is rather the means to a better life and livelihood in the community. Most importantly, WASH Rotary Action Group links water and sanitation to improved hygiene, better health, and empowerment of the community – especially women, irrigation and agriculture, education and literacy and, ultimately, child mortality.
 
WASH Rotary Action Group Goals:
  • Goal #1-  Every Rotary WASH project is part of a program, technically sound & sustainable
  • Goal #2-  Every Rotary WASH Program has measurable impact on Health, Education and Prosperity Program Standards:  National and/or International Standards for WASH
  • Goal #3-  Expand the reach of WASH Rotary Action Group
  • Goal #4-  Enhance participant engagement (Program impact)
  • Goal #5-  WASH Education of Rotarians, beneficiaries and strategic partners

 

The WASH Rotary Action Group Fund

What is the goal of the WASH Rotary Action Group Fund?
The WASH Rotary Action Group Fund was launched to help Rotarians undertake improved water and sanitation projects through the Rotary Foundation.  WASH Rotary Action Group encourages Rotary clubs to undertake water and sanitation projects that are more sustainable and well designed.  Promoting water and sanitation projects amongst Rotary clubs and districts is in line with WASH Rotary Action Group’s mission and is why the fund was established.

How does the WASH Rotary Action Group Fund work?
Before submitting a Global Grant project to the Rotary Foundation, Rotary clubs should send their completed application to WASH Rotary Action Group by email.  WASH Rotary Action Group members with expertise in water and sanitation programs will conduct a review of the project application and make suggestions about how to improve the quality of the project.  Once the suggestions are considered for the final application, WASH Rotary Action Group will contribute $2000 towards the project.  These funds will be donated directly to the Rotary Foundation and earmarked to the specific project once the project has been approved by the Rotary Foundation.

Who may participate in the WASH Rotary Action Group Fund program?
In line with WASH Rotary Action Group’s mission, the WASH Rotary Action Group Fund is open to all Rotary Clubs and Districts in the world that are qualified to submit Global Grant funding proposals to the Rotary Foundation.  If you would like more information, please contact us at grants@wasrag.org.

How to submit your grant?
To submit your grant for technical assistance and the funds from WASH Rotary Action Group for your grant, simply click here and complete the application. Be sure to include a PDF file of your grant application. WASH Rotary Action Group will be in touch to complete the review.
 
 
Check out a three-part webinar series on global grants focused on WASH in Schools (WinS).
 
Learn about
  • How global grants are evolving
  • What makes a great global grant program
  • Successful assessments – the why and how
  • Key tools and resources
 

2022 Photograph and Video Competition

People of WASH

 
click to view/download guidelines
 
The Annual People of WASH photo and video competition is now open. Submissions are due by April 30, 2022.
 
Email your photos/videos to PeopleofWASH@wasrag.org
 

WASH AMBASSADOR CORPS

The WASH Rotary Action Group Ambassadors are a corps of knowledgeable members who provide support and promotion of the WASH goals of WASH Rotary Action Group and The Rotary Foundation.    Among other things, they may help fellow Rotarians in the following ways: 
 
  1. Provide speakers for club meetings and other events.
  2. Share information/needs assessment data with others to enhance the quality, relevance and sustainability of projects undertaken in their region.
  3. Provide local Rotarians with access to professionals worldwide who may address their district's need for expert advice in areas such as technology, sustainability, monitoring and evaluation, etc.
  4. Liaise between their district and others to create partnerships that will facilitate project development and enhance funding opportunities.
If you need help with or information about a WASH project you can contact the ambassador in your district and in the international district in which you are interested.  They are there to help.  Current ambassadors are listed on the right, and may be contacted by email by clicking their names.  While it is a volunteer position, it holds great responsibility as well as the potential to make a significant contribution toward achieving universal access to clean water, hygiene education and improved sanitation.
 
If you are interested in being appointed as a WASH Rotary Action Group Ambassador, please submit a personal application form, which may be accessed using the address below:
 
 
By this means, you will communicate to us your interest and the region (e.g. district, country) for which you could act as an Ambassador.  If you have questions you may direct them to the Ambassador Project Manager at info@WASRAG.org
 
ABOUT THE WASH Rotary Action Group AMBASSADOR CORPS

The WASH Rotary Action Group Ambassadors Corps was initiated in 2016 and is comprised of volunteers chosen by the Operations Team of WASH Rotary Action Group to represent our interests and objectives in defined regions of the Rotary World.  Ambassadors are selected based upon their ability to work within their region as a liaison between their local Rotary Clubs, district leadership and our organization.  They facilitate the development of human and technical capacity of Rotary Clubs and Districts for the delivery of sustainable WASH interventions . They also seek to increase the membership of the organization as active members which are vital for the continued growth of sustainable WASH programs throughout the Rotary World.  
 
Qualifications
Ambassadors, as volunteers members of WASH Rotary Action Group and have a passion of WASH programs.  They maintain a five year membership in WASH Rotary Action Group.   They must be able to communicate easily and be respected by Rotarians within their District.
 
Activities
Ambassadors are charged with promoting effective and sustainable Rotary water, sanitation and hygiene projects in their regions.  To this end they may engage in the following activities as well as others relevant to the goals of the corps.
  • Encourage and facilitate WASH Rotary Action Group memberships
  • Develop and promote a “Speakers’ Bureau” to provide speakers for club meetings and district events.
  • Encourage local activities within their region that will promote the objectives of WASH Rotary Action Group and WASH  initiatives.
  • Develop and maintain liaisons with municipal authorities, NGOs and other partners to support local clubs in developing sustainable projects through partnerships with these entities.
  • Act as a conduit between WASH Rotary Action Group and their local clubs to provide the most current information about Rotary WASH related initiatives and objectives, e.g. posting articles in their district and club newsletters and alerting local Rotarians to upcoming Rotary webinars.
  • Encourage resources within their region to engage in various Rotary and WASH Rotary Action Group pursuits, e.g. sustainable water, sanitation and behavior change initiatives.
  • Disseminate information/needs assessment data about their region to others in Rotary in the effort to enhance the quality, relevance and sustainability of projects undertaken in their region.
  • Identify individual Rotarians in their region that may support Rotary and WASH Rotary Action Group initiatives, in activities such as grant development, project review, school certification application scoring, project enhancement activities, etc.
  • Reporting Responsibilities
 Ambassadors are required to submit an annual activity report in May of each year for presentation at the Annual General Meeting held during the Rotary International Convention.
 
Terms
Ambassadors serve for one three year term and can be reappointed for another 3 year term.
 
Meetings
An annual meeting of Ambassadors is held at the International Convention, at which time Ambassadors take the opportunity to meet and share their experiences with their peers and WASH Rotary Action Group leadership.
 

GET INVOLVED

Join the effort and be part of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Rotary Action Group (WASH-RAG) which facilitates projects that have far-reaching impact and ensures that clean water and sanitation facilities become commonplace across the globe.
 
Download and share information about WASH to your members.
 
Access technical resources to help plan a WASH project.
 
Contact experts in the WASH Rotary Action Group Professional Services Team for advice.
 
Follow WASH-RAG on Facebook to stay current with news, updates and announcements.
 
Subscribe to WASH-RAG newsletter