This year, our District has set aside funds for 15 New Member Grants each for $250. Each grant is made to a club, for a small project initiated by a new club member and approved by the Club's Board.
New Member Grant Terms and Conditions:
- The application is submitted by the new member on the application form signed by: the Club President, a mentor assigned by the club and the new member. The Club President's signature signifies that the club has reviewed the project proposal and approved it. The mentor, by signing the application form, accepts the task of providing guidance to the new member.
- All Rotary and Rotaract Clubs in the District are eligible to apply for this grant. Satellite clubs may also apply, but their application will be considered that of the sponsor club.
- All applications must be submitted by email to your club's Area Governor AND the District Executive Secretary, Peronia Browne @ peroniabrowne01@hotmail.com
- The project description should contain details of:
- Where the project will take place,
- When it will take place,
- How many expected beneficiaries are expected,
- Who these beneficiaries are and
- What is the expected outcome of the project.
- Applications will be considered on a rolling basis in two rounds. The first round ends on December 30, 2025. The second round of applications will be considered only if there are funds remaining in the budget after all first-round applications have been reviewed and decisions made.
- In the first round, only one New Member Grant per club will be considered. If funds remain and second-round applications are considered, a club that has already applied and received an award may apply for another new member. The same member cannot apply a second time. However, the approved first-round grant must have been completed and the report submitted before the second-round application will be considered.
- A new member is defined as a member who has been inducted into the Rotary or Rotaract Club on or after July 1, 2025. The new member must have been entered into the District ClubRunner system and assigned an RI ID number by the system.
- There is no maximum amount for the grant. However, the District will only provide $250 towards the project. The club will need to provide any amount over $250.
- The project must be a stand-alone project and not be part of a larger project of the member's club, another club or another organization.
- The project should not be simply a check given to another organization or person. It should be a project where the new member will actively plan, participate in and implement the project.
- At the end of the project, the member should prepare the project report form detailing what was achieved, have it signed by the required club officers and email the completed report to the Area Governor AND District Executive Secretary.
New Member Grants Review and Approval Process:
Following receipt of the application by the District Executive Secretary and Area Governor:
- The District Executive Secretary (DES) reviews the application for completeness and accuracy.
- The DES forwards the application to the DG for approval and or clarification.
- Following DG approval, the DES notifies the District Treasurer, via expense request who issues a check payable to the club and mails it to the club.
- The DES informs the AG of approval, for follow-up with the club/new member for project implementation, project report, and pictures.
- AG loops in the Public Image Committee about the project.
- Public Images Committee contacts the club and/or member to highlight the project on the District website and on social media.