Understanding the “Paul Harris Fellow” and “PHF Recognition Points.”

The Rotary Foundation is Rotary’s own charity and, therefore, every Rotarian’s own charity. It supports Rotary’s charitable works around the world, and the Philippines has received far more in grants than has been contributed from the Philippines.

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. It was established in 1957 to show appreciation for and encourage substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study. Paul Harris Fellows are recognized with a certificate and pin. They are also eligible to purchase a Paul Harris Fellow medallion for $15. From shop.rotary.org.

Rotarians have a tradition of supporting the Foundation by honoring others. To increase charitable giving to the Foundation and increase awareness of the PHF, in 1979 the RI President-elect challenged each Rotary club to make one non-Rotarian a Paul Harris Fellow. The Rotary Club of Pikesville, Maryland, USA, responded by making a donation in the name of Mother Teresa in 1980. Many other notable figures have been named as Paul Harris Fellows, including Pearl Bailey, U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, and Jonas Salk.

This years’ RCM President Jimmie Policarpio has challenged the club to attain 100% Paul Harris Fellow status by having every member of the club become a Paul Harris Fellow this year or at least before our centennial on June 1, 2019. Currently, about 130 of our 230 members are Paul Harris Fellows, Multiple Paul Harris Fellows, or Major Donors.

Usually a person becomes a Paul Harris Fellow by donating USD $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation. However, persons may become Paul Harris fellows through dollars, “Recognition Points,” or a combination of the two. Over time, our club has offered members the opportunity to become fellows through a combination of dollars and points that has resulted in some confusion.

Rotary International awards recognition points to members that contribute to the Rotary Foundation through the Annual Fund or Polio Plus. One point is awarded for every $1.00 contributed. Once you accumulate 1,000 points in your account, you are awarded a Paul Harris award by Rotary International (RI). The awards continue until you have attained a PH + 8 ($9,000 total gift).

After you receive your first Paul Harris award, RI also tracks your “Available Foundation Recognition Points”. You receive 1 available foundation recognition point for every $1.00 you contribute to the Rotary Foundation. These points can be transferred to other individuals for Paul Harris Fellow recognition. Example: you have donated a total of $3,000, resulting your status as a PHF Plus two status, recognized by a PHF pin with two sapphires. Your contributions have resulted in 3,000 available points. You may name any person as a PHF by designating 1,000 or your points. You may also donate 100 or more points to another who would then add the remaining real dollars to add to 1,000. We have often made this “deal” available to our members: Donate $500 and one of our members or friends will donate 500 points, resulting in your becoming a Paul Harris Fellow or multiple fellow, if already a PHF.

Points transferred made into individuals’ accounts, such as club and district transfers and/or matches or gifts made in their name (any gift that is not directly given by them), increase their (PHF) Recognition Amount but do not earn/accrue Foundation Recognition Points, which are only granted for CASH gifts, not PHF recognition points. Furthermore, to attain “Major Donor” status, a total of a minimum of $10,000 CASH must be donated, and PHF recognition pints to not count. If a person got what they thought was a “Discount” on a PHF, what they really got was a gift of points added to their dollars that made them eligible for the first nine levels of PHF only, never “Major Donor” status.

Rotarian who has achieved Paul Harris Fellow status with a donation of $1,000 may choose to honor their spouse or child or another person as a PHF by transferring 1,000 FRPs, to name the honoree as a PHF. A Rotarian could assist a fellow Rotarian in their club or another club to become a PHF by transferring some of their FRPs to them.

Our club is one of many that effectively use FRPs to help members begin their annual Foundation commitment. These clubs “match” a contribution by a new member with a specified number of FRPs. This use of FRPs has successfully instilled a passion for members to annually contribute to The Rotary Foundation. Rotary expects ALL Rotarians to contribute a minimum of $100 EVERY YEAR. Clubs who attain this are recognized as 100% “EVERY ROTARIAN EVERY YEAR” (EREY) clubs.

FRPs cannot be used personally to increase one’s own Recognition Amount since the FRPs are already included/reflected in the individual’s total Recognition Amount. FRPs can only be used to credit someone else.

Foundation Recognition Points (FRPs): Can only be transferred into individual accounts, Cannot be transferred to the club or district to be used by the Club President or District Governor, Only generate from cash contributions once an individual becomes a PHF.

Individual donors are the only ones authorized to transfer Foundation recognition points from their individual account. Club presidents are the only ones authorized to transfer Foundation recognition points from the club’s account. District governors are the only ones authorized to transfer Foundation recognition points from the district account. Foundation recognition points may not be transferred from individuals to a club or district. The Foundation recognition points of deceased Rotarians cannot be transferred, unless the deceased is a Major Donor, in which case, the spouse/partner maintains control of the Foundation recognition points during their lifetime.

Businesses or organizations cannot become a Paul Harris Fellows; the awards are issued only to individuals. However, businesses and organizations can be recognized for contributions of US$1,000 or more with a Certificate of Appreciation. A donor can recognize a deceased individual by requesting a Memorial Paul Harris Fellow.

Through Member Access in MyRotary online, you can view your personal contribution history, recognition amount, and available Foundation recognition points. You can request a copy of your Donor History Report from the Foundation at contact.center@rotary.org.

PHF Recognition consists of a pin with stones corresponding to the recipient’s recognition amount level. US $1,000 to 1,999, plain pin, US$2,000 to 2,999.99 one sapphire; 3,000 to 3,999.99 two sapphires, 4,000 to 4,999.99 three sapphires, 5,000 to 5,999.99 four sapphires. 6,000 to 6,999.99 five sapphires, 7,000 to 7,999.99 one ruby, 8,000 to 8,999.99 two rubies, 9,000 to 9,999.99 three rubies, $10,000 and up, all cash no points, “Major Donor” status.

Other Foundation Recognition includes: Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member: When you give $100 or more per year to the Annual Fund. Benefactor: When you include the Endowment Fund as a beneficiary in your estate plans or when you donate $1,000 or more to the fund outright. Benefactors receive a certificate and insignia to wear with a Rotary or Paul Harris Fellow pin. Bequest Society member: When you give $10,000 or more via your estate plans. Bequest Society members are recognized with an engraved crystal recognition piece and a Bequest Society pin.

Please consider becoming a Paul Harris fellow THIS YEAR, or making an additional donation to become a Pau Harris multiple fellow or even a Major Donor. If you cannot afford $1,000, ask a friend if they can assist with a gift of points. At a minimum, please give at least $100 every year to the Rotary Foundation.

Thank you, Lance