Imagine a cadre of people, most of them young people, who are well schooled in what Rotary “is”, are professional or managerial types and, for the most part, aren’t currently members of a Rotary club.

What you’re imagining are the hundreds of Rotary Foundation Alumni, former Ambassadorial Scholars, Group Study Exchange Team Members and other beneficiaries of Rotary Foundation programs living in the areas served by District 6990 that would love to hear from a local Rotary club.

Foundation alum Owen Freed is an exception to the rule. He was one of the first Ambassadorial Fellows (Scholars) and after his return from studying abroad was asked to join the Rotary Club of Coral Gables. He accepted and is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Miami and has served as the chair of D6990's Rotary Foundation Alumni Committee.

Owen is working to connect with other alumni. If you are aware of any individual, or if you are such, please let Owen know. A file has been added to the District and Club database, or DaCdb, that will allow for Rotary Foundation alumni to keep their information current. This will allow clubs to contact and invite alumni to visit and make presentations on their experiences during their particular tour. Perhaps it may encourage them to make that next step and become a Rotarian.

The investment in Foundation dollars over the years on these very talented individuals is in the millions of dollars and it is money very well spent. Let’s work, however, to seek the best return on the investment for all parties by maintaining the relationship.

Reap the rewards of that investment by working to develop a strong Rotary Foundation alumni presence in District 6990.