Rotary International and Shelterbox Sign Project Partnership Agreement
Posted by James Dunny
on Apr 03, 2012
.
ShelterBox and Rotary International (RI) have formed a project partner agreement this month, signed by John Hewko, Rotary International's CEO and General Secretary, and Tom Henderson OBE, ShelterBox Founder and CEO
“Project partner” is a special status RI gives to groups started or managed by Rotary clubs. The agreement will build on the strengths of both organizations in responding to disasters all over the world. The formalisation of this partnership cements a 12-year relationship providing emergency shelter and life-saving humanitarian aid for hundreds of thousands of families around the world, who have been made homeless by disaster.
ShelterBox began as a Rotary Club Millennium Project in 2000 and today continues to have a significant input from Rotarians in its governance Board, senior management, operational capacity and international development.
'Rotary and Rotarians have been integral in the operational development of the organisation, from being eyes and ears on the ground during deployments, to providing logistics, accommodation and translation services, right to assisting with the pitching of tents,' said Tom. 'Many of our global Response Team volunteers are Rotarians. Others have joined the Rotary family having seen the difference that Rotary and ShelterBox make on the ground. They have always helped us in endless ways.'
(Story from Shelterbox and Rotary International)
“Project partner” is a special status RI gives to groups started or managed by Rotary clubs. The agreement will build on the strengths of both organizations in responding to disasters all over the world. The formalisation of this partnership cements a 12-year relationship providing emergency shelter and life-saving humanitarian aid for hundreds of thousands of families around the world, who have been made homeless by disaster.
ShelterBox began as a Rotary Club Millennium Project in 2000 and today continues to have a significant input from Rotarians in its governance Board, senior management, operational capacity and international development.
'Rotary and Rotarians have been integral in the operational development of the organisation, from being eyes and ears on the ground during deployments, to providing logistics, accommodation and translation services, right to assisting with the pitching of tents,' said Tom. 'Many of our global Response Team volunteers are Rotarians. Others have joined the Rotary family having seen the difference that Rotary and ShelterBox make on the ground. They have always helped us in endless ways.'
(Story from Shelterbox and Rotary International)
Not only have Rotary clubs and Rotarians historically contributed a huge amount to ShelterBox’s fundraising efforts, but members of the Rotary family have also founded each one of its 21 affiliates. This support remains key for the charity to be prepared for a disaster of any scale and to be in a position to assist the most vulnerable families at the time when they need it the most.
Through the new partnership, the two organisations will assist Rotarians to be part of a critical solution at times of disaster through providing humanitarian service when disasters occur in their area; engaging with ShelterBox in disaster preparedness initiatives within their country or district; and supporting ShelterBox readiness, awareness and capacity building.
Mutual goals
'For more than ten years, ShelterBox has given light to over one hundred thousand families worldwide in their darkest hour,' said John. 'This project partner agreement represents our mutual goal of helping those in need. It gives RI a forward-facing approach to immediate disaster relief.'
'It's an historic moment for us to become a Rotary project partner,' said Tom. 'It's the first of its kind and is a great opportunity for us to engage with our Rotary friends around the world to increase awareness of what we do with Rotary and, of course, an opportunity for Rotarians to increase our avenues of service worldwide.'
Through the new partnership, the two organisations will assist Rotarians to be part of a critical solution at times of disaster through providing humanitarian service when disasters occur in their area; engaging with ShelterBox in disaster preparedness initiatives within their country or district; and supporting ShelterBox readiness, awareness and capacity building.
Mutual goals
'For more than ten years, ShelterBox has given light to over one hundred thousand families worldwide in their darkest hour,' said John. 'This project partner agreement represents our mutual goal of helping those in need. It gives RI a forward-facing approach to immediate disaster relief.'
'It's an historic moment for us to become a Rotary project partner,' said Tom. 'It's the first of its kind and is a great opportunity for us to engage with our Rotary friends around the world to increase awareness of what we do with Rotary and, of course, an opportunity for Rotarians to increase our avenues of service worldwide.'