The Rotary Balita no. 758 (November 18, 1954).

One hundred one Rotary Foundation Fellows have just completed their year of study in another country. This year there are 108 Rotary Foundation Fellows studying in countries other than their own. Right now Rotary clubs in 115 eligible districts should be seeking out fine young students from among when Rotary Foundation Fellows in the 1955-56 academic year will be chosen. Too much emphasis cannot be placed upon the importance of both clubs and districts doing a thorough job, first, in publicizing the availability of the Rotary Foundation Fellowships, and, second, in screening with the utmost care of all prospective candidates. The clubs and the districts are charged with the responsibility of finding young men and women who can serve well as ambassadors from their own lands in meeting Rotarians, fellow students, and other interested persons in their host countries. If all possible, all applicants for Rotary Foundation Fellowships should be personally interviewed by the local Rotary club. Likewise, the district committee should have personal interviews with the applicants chosen by the clubs in the district. The well-rounded individual makes the ideal Rotary Foundation Fellow, and all of the desirable qualifications should be sought when screening applicants. Neither academie achievement nor any other consideration should take precedence in determining the successful applicant. In at least one instance it has been reported helpful to the selecting committee to have a former Rotary Foundation Fellow present during interviews in order to provide applicants with first hand information about the Rotary Foundation Fellowships program. This may not be convenient or possible in all districts, but where it can be arranged, it may be worthy of your careful consideration and follow through. All detailed information regarding the selection of candidates is included in the Rotary Foundation Fellowships manuals which each club and district governor have received. Follow them carefully; they are designed to help you find Fellows of whom your entire district can be proud. ONE HUNDRED EIGHT THIS YEAR The experiences of an unforgettable year are just beginning for these Foundation Fellows. Rotary clubs near their schools should welcome every opportunity to get to know these young people better. And, the home districts which sponsor these students can look forward to the wealth of experience which they can share with their Fellows when they come home a few months from now. ONE HUNDRED ONE RETURNING There are many ways in which returning students can help in completing the Rotary Foundation Fellowships picture. Perhaps the procedure set up by the governor of District 183 will help other governors who are interested in giving effect to the entire Fellowships program: 1. On the return from Europe of the young lady who was the 1953-54 Foundation Fellow from his district, the governor and the Fellow conferred regarding the dates on which she would be available to make Rotary club visits. 2. The possibilities of a visit by the Fellow were also brought to the attention of the Rotary clubs in the district. 3. As soon as a tentative itinerary could be established through the cooperative efforts of the governor, the clubs, and the returning Fellow, copies were sent to club presidents, secretaries, and program chairmen in the district with a request for immediate club confirmation of dates. This letter also included a reminder to the clubs of their obligation to reimburse the Fellow for actual traveling expenses incurred in appearing before the club, suggestions for reception and hospitality, etc. 4. All past governors in the district received a copy of the Fellow's itinerary and a summary of contributions to the Foundation by each of the clubs in the district. For a timely follow-through, the governor suggested that the past governors volunteer to visit nearby clubs to hear the Fellow speak. And immediately thereafter, not in the Fellow's presence, to meet with the club board of directors and chairman of the Rotary Foundation Fellowships committee in an effort to inspire voluntary contributions for future Fellowships. For full value to be realized from the Fellowships program, every district should work toward the selection of a well-qualified Fellow each year the district is eligible, enjoy news from the Fellows which they are studying in another land, and welcome it's returning Fellows and hear them speak. ANOTHER PART OF THE PICTURE The fifth of President Herb's Six Objectives for 1954-55 is related to international goodwill. In it, he urges everyone to do his best during this Golden Anniversary year to provide funds for a Rotary Foundation Fellowship from each district in the world, for each and every year. This would mean doubling the Fellowships program and doubling its effectiveness. How would this expansion affect the individual Rotarians who, through their voluntary contributions to the Rotary Foundation, are in a very real sense making an investment in better world understanding? For example, if every Rotarian invested one dollar per year every year, and every new Rotarian and every charter member of every new Rotary club made an initial investment of ten dollars and then a dollar each year thereafter, the cost of providing a Fellowship annually to each district could be substantially met. Surely this would be a reasonable basis for every Rotarian to show his continuing interest, and also to provide an opportunity for doubling the activities of the Rotary Foundation Fellowships program! Whether it's a dollar a year, a large donation. of thousands of dollars, the naming now of the Rotary Foundation as beneficiary of an insurance policy, a bequest in a will the Rotary Foundations provides every Rotarian a personal opportunity to make an investment in better international understanding by helping tomorrow's leaders have an opportunity to become well acquainted with their international friends. From THE SECRETARY'S LETTER.