A Special Message from RI President Richard D. King

(from www.rotary.org)

On behalf of 1.2 million Rotarians in 163 countries of the world, I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims and families of the tragic events of 11 September 2001. At this early stage, we do not yet know what losses our own Rotary family may have experienced, but I am quite certain that all Rotarians stand united in offering sympathy and support in these difficult times.

Since this tragedy occurred in the country where our world headquarters is located, Rotary International has received an outpouring of concern from Rotarians throughout the world. To share these concerns and condolences with other members of the Rotary family, we have put these messages on our Web site. This Web page will remain on the site permanently to allow Rotarians to respond to the future disasters that seem almost inevitable in our troubled world.

Many Rotarians have asked us how they can help. We strongly encourage Rotarians to turn to their own individual clubs or local districts for guidance. In the days and weeks ahead, clubs and districts in the New York and Washington, D.C., areas will undoubtedly begin initiating projects to help their communities recover. If you or your club want to provide assistance, the best way is to contact these clubs directly through your own district. Meanwhile, we are suggesting that Rotarians or Rotary clubs consider working with the Red Cross and other organizations that are equipped to respond quickly to such disasters.

These events demonstrate all the more the importance of keeping our organization growing and thriving. Where Rotary exists in the world, there is a greater chance for peace. By swelling the ranks of Rotarians dedicated to peace, we can further strengthen Rotary's mission to foster international understanding and goodwill.
 

Sincerely,

Richard D. King
President, Rotary International

Source: http://www.rotary.org/response/presmessage.html

World's Rotarians feel pain of U.S. terror attack victims Thousands are feared dead in the United States cities of New York and Washington, D.C. as a result of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on 11 September. Rotarians across the world have responded to these horrifying events with an outpouring of condolences and offers of support to the victims of this tragedy. Rotary International President Richard D. King has also sent out a special message to the victims of the attacks on behalf of all the world's Rotarians. "At this early stage, we do not yet know what losses our own Rotary family may have experienced, but I am quite certain that all Rotarians stand united in offering sympathy and support," he says. " These events demonstrate all the more the importance of keeping our organization growing and thriving. Where Rotary exists in the world, there is a greater chance for peace. By swelling the ranks of Rotarians dedicated to peace, we can further strengthen Rotary's mission to foster international understanding and goodwill." The full text of President King's message and a small sample of the messages of condolence and support from Rotarians are available on the RI Web site. Messages are also being collected at Rotaryclubhistory.org. As the Rotary clubs and districts in the New York and Washington, D.C., areas assess the extent of victims' needs and initiate projects to help their communities begin to recover. Rotarians might consider working directly with the following organizations that are equipped to respond quickly to such disasters: The American Red Cross (U.S. Rotarians only). Telephone 800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment to donate blood; and 800-HELP-NOW to donate cash. The United Way of New York and the New York Community Trust, which have established The September Eleventh Fund to receive donations (c/o United Way, 2 Park Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA; or on the Web at http://www.uwnyc.org); Feed The Children, which is accepting donations on the Web at http://www.feedthechildren.org; The Salvation Army (U.S. Rotarians only), which is accepting cash donations by telephone: 800-SAL-ARMY; or obtain more information on helping victims of the attacks from http://www.helping.org. Also, as we learn of Rotary club and district projects related to the tragedy that need support, Rotary International will provide updates via the RI Web and other appropriate communication vehicles. Please note that in response to these events, Rotary International President Richard D. King and General Secretary Ed Futa will be evaluating the status of travel safety as it relates to upcoming RI meetings. At this time, all RI meetings and conferences remain scheduled as planned. Source:  www.rotary.org/newsandinfo/newsbasket/2001/010912/index.html#two