Related Page

Music Director Jason Weinberger previews symphony's 09-10 season

The WCFSO enters its 80^th season this fall with the big three of assets:

1.      A great collection of musicians

2.      A highly regarded music director who challenges them, and

3.      The best performance space in the state and beyond.

Since joining the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony as its music director six years ago, Jason Weinberger has made a mark in Iowa with exceptionally committed performances, creative programming, and extensive community engagement. Under his baton the orchestra has taken major artistic strides, performing a variety of new and recent American music and hosting such guest artists as Yo-Yo Ma, David Shifrin, Peter Schickele, and Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg. Off the stage Jason has become a leading advocate for music throughout the CedarValley, and as part of that effort he spearheads the programming and presentation of the WCFSO's diverse educational and outreach initiatives.

Finally, new cases dropping in endemic countries, but summer looms.

Official data collected by the World Health Organization show sharp drops in the number of new polio cases in the four countries where it is endemic. But with summer here, the number of new cases may well rise.

Biggest improvement, according to the WHO, is Nigeria where there were 799 cases reported in 2008 and only 288 thru May 9 of this year. Cases in India are also down with 59 cases in 2009 with the most recent case on May 13 compared to a total last year of 559.

In the other two countries where polio is still considered to be unchecked, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the numbers are also down. Afghanistan's public health officials report 31 cases in 2008 and only seven thru April 19 while Pakistan had 117 cases last year and 17 as of May 6.

Meanwhile, the WHO completed immunization days in ten West African countries May 31 and sub-national immunization efforts in three areas of India ended May 28.

UN health officials are cautious about explaining the drop, but it is becoming evident that the massive infusion of funding from the Gates Foundation and the Rotary Foundation along with over $330 million from Germany and Great Britain are having the desired effect.

You can track progress on the internet at www.polioeradication.org/casecount.asp.

Two people offer visions about dreams

"Make Dreams Real"

                   Rotary President D. K. Lee's theme for this year.

" Your dream is not big  enough if it doesn't scare you."

                   Matthias Schmelz, millionaire businessperson and author

But overall performance still down for the year requiring some cuts in July

Rotary's General Secretary Ed Futa reports "moderate improvement" in Rotary's financial situation since February.  Both Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation saw positive investment results in March and April, marking the first consecutive two-month period of growth this fiscal year, he said in a letter to regional foundation leaders on June 3.

As a result, investment losses have dropped from $26 million recorded through February to $18 million as of April 30 for Rotary and from $222 million to $187 million for the foundation.  Most of the year-to-date losses remain unrealized and should reverse as the markets recover, according to Futa.

Revenues from club dues remain slightly ahead of budget, and total contributions to the foundation are comparable to last year.  However, a dramatic shift in current fund contributions from the Annual Programs to the PolioPlus in response to Rotary's $200 million challenge has reduced the foundation's cash available to fund operations. District Designated Fund remains secure at this time.  Also, operating expenses for both RI and The Foundation remain favorably below budget in most areas, with these reductions projected to continue through the end of the year.

In April, the RI Finance Committee thoroughly reviewed our proposed 2009-2010 operating budget, which is balanced and will tightly control spending.  The committee recommended that the RI Board of Directors approve this budget at their June meeting. It is projected that RI's general surplus fund will remain above the 85% level targeted by the RI Bylaws through 2009-2010.

Also in April, the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation approved an austere operating budget for fiscal year 2009-2010.  For more than 10 years, the foundation has operated on earnings from Annual Programs Fund investments, enabling the trustees to spend every dollar contributed by Rotarians on humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs and program operations. 

During this period, the trustees also spent approximately $100 million of investment returns on PolioPlus, Children's Opportunities Grants, and other humanitarian programs, Futa said.

"However, the current financial situation may prevent us from funding the foundation's operations in this manner for the next several years, he said. "Therefore, at the request of the trustees, Trustee Chair Jonathan Majiyagbe appointed a special committee to develop an equitable and effective multi-year plan to restore the foundation's reserves.  Additionally, the foundation's Investment Advisory Committee is reviewing the Annual Programs Fund investment policy to ensure that the value of your contributions is protected and that The Foundation will have sufficient liquidity to meet program payments and operating expenses," according to Futa.

More in-depth financial information is available at www.rotary.org/financials. In addition, the annual Treasurer's Report to the Convention will be posted on the RI website during the upcoming convention in Birmingham, England, along with the General Secretary's Report to the Convention, which will provide information on many RI and TRF activities over the last year.

              The club's annual steak fry for members and guests will be Thursday, June 25 at the Rotary Reserve north of Cedar Falls. Cost will be $12.50 per person or $25 per couple. The menu includes steak, baked potatoe, salad bar and ice cream with strawberries.

               Attendees are reminded to bring their own table service and a bottle of wine or beer to share.  No hard liquor, please.  Please RSVP to Kelli or online.

               Because of the steak fry, the regular meeting on Monday, June 29 is cancelled.