MEET OUR LEADERSHIP
The Rotary Action Group for Community Economic Development Team 2023-25
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE – OCTOBER 2024
During October, Rotarians around the world celebrate Community Economic Development (CED), one of Rotary's key areas of focus. However, CED often doesn't garner as much excitement as some other focus areas. Why? Because:
- It doesn’t save lives through disease prevention or cure, at least not directly.
- It doesn’t bring clean water or sanitation to impoverished villages.
- It doesn’t clean up the environment.
- It doesn’t teach children to read or write.
- It doesn’t train peacemakers.
Yet, despite this, I believe CED is at the core of all these areas. In fact, it may be one of the most important things Rotary does. Let’s explore why.
Economics, the heart of community economic development, is sometimes called the "dismal science." But CED is anything but dismal. Rotarians are dedicated to alleviating poverty, and what’s more inspiring than providing someone with a real, sustainable job? We often talk about sustainability in Rotary; is there anything more sustainable than a well-paying job that empowers individuals to lift themselves out of poverty?
Why CED is Core to Rotary’s Mission
1. Economic Development is Central to Rotary Clubs
Most Rotary clubs are geographically based, and if a community is not prospering, neither is the local Rotary club. Clubs grow when their towns or cities thrive. Remember, Rotary started with the goal of helping each other out, and that extends to helping our communities prosper economically. RAGCED can assist any Rotary club aiming to improve its local economy.
2. Job Creation Alleviates Poverty
Job creation is one of the most effective ways to alleviate poverty. When people have jobs, they don't need charity—they can solve their own problems. Moreover, a good job enhances self-esteem. Vocational training is a key RAGCED initiative, such as the recent formation of the Rotary Fellowship for IT Professionals. Information technology, especially for young people, offers significant opportunities for job creation and economic advancement.
Job creation is one of the most effective ways to alleviate poverty. When people have jobs, they don't need charity—they can solve their own problems. Moreover, a good job enhances self-esteem. Vocational training is a key RAGCED initiative, such as the recent formation of the Rotary Fellowship for IT Professionals. Information technology, especially for young people, offers significant opportunities for job creation and economic advancement.
3. RAGCED Supports Sustainability
Sustainability is critical to Rotary projects, as The Rotary Foundation emphasizes. What does sustainability mean? It means a project can continue to operate after the initial Rotary funding has been exhausted. RAGCED can help ensure that projects are truly sustainable, much like how businesses must be able to sustain themselves after initial investments.
Sustainability is critical to Rotary projects, as The Rotary Foundation emphasizes. What does sustainability mean? It means a project can continue to operate after the initial Rotary funding has been exhausted. RAGCED can help ensure that projects are truly sustainable, much like how businesses must be able to sustain themselves after initial investments.
4. NGO Success Requires Sustainability
Even non-profits face sustainability challenges. Without a long-term source of funding, NGOs—including Rotary clubs—can’t survive. RAGCED helps NGOs, Rotary clubs, and other organizations ensure that they have sustainable financial strategies, so their important work can continue.
Even non-profits face sustainability challenges. Without a long-term source of funding, NGOs—including Rotary clubs—can’t survive. RAGCED helps NGOs, Rotary clubs, and other organizations ensure that they have sustainable financial strategies, so their important work can continue.
Real Excitement Through Economic Development
When we see good being done in the world—cleaning the environment, teaching children, eradicating diseases—it excites us. Underlying all these efforts are financially stable and sustainable organizations. Supporting those organizations is what CED and RAGCED are all about.
As we celebrate Community Economic Development this October, let's remember that CED advances all of Rotary’s areas of focus. Together, we can continue doing good in the world. To learn more, visit ragced.org.
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Sincerely,
Carl W. Treleaven PDG
Chair/President (RY 2023-25)
RC of Saint Petersburg, FL USA
Chair/President (RY 2023-25)
RC of Saint Petersburg, FL USA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PE, Wally Gardiner
Alberta, Canada
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Rakesh Babuji
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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PDG. Nick Frankle
Thousand Oaks, USA
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PDG. Peter Verbeeck
Key Biscayne, USA
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Biswajit Ghosh
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Secretary, Gomathy T M
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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PDG Xavier Sentamu
Kampala, Uganda
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Cristina Calaguian
Dubai, UAE
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PDG. Jim Louttit
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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PP, Margaret Williamson
Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Adrienne Booth Johnson
Detroit, Michigan, USA
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PDG Sunny Akuopha
Bamako, Mali
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PDG. Xavier Sentamu
Kampala, Uganda
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RAGCED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Gomathy T M
Secretary
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Nilam Bedi
CADRE
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PDG. Peter Verbeeck
Foundation
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Bonaventure Fandohan
CED AOF Manager
Margaret Williamson
IPP & Administration
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PDG. Nick Frankle
Operations
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Rakesh Babuji
Communications/Public Image
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Mary Coward
Conference
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PDG. Jim Louttit
Treasurer & Chapters
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Cristina Calaguian
Education
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PDG. Peter Verbeeck
Membership
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PE, Wally Gardiner
Fundraising
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