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International Service
Martha Netsch chairs our club's International Service Committee that focuses on ways to expand Rotary's humanitarian reach around the world and to promote world understanding and peace.
As we read the mission statement of Rotary International, which is:
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. As the charitable arm of Rotary, we tap into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into our priorities, such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. Foundation grants empower Rotarians to approach challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact.
We strive to keep our local seacoast goals the same.
Seacoast Rotary International Mission Statement
The Seacoast Rotary International Committee reaches beyond our local borders to strengthen humanitarian ties to the world community by supporting programs that seek to eradicate disease, promote education, and create cultural ties that will have long-term effects.
Current Projects
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Inspired by the Rotary International initiative to eradicate polio, committee member, Susan von Hemert launched several programs to raise awareness and resources for the elimination of polio. In 2014 we started a regionalbridge walk, modeled after the bridge walk in Sidney Australia. Rotarians from District 7780 gathered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to walk the Memorial Bridge to Kittery, Maine. In 2015 the event was expanded and again over 100 Rotarians gathered to walk for polio eradication. The event was so successful that 2016 will see various Bridge Walks for Polio throughout District 7780.
- We also have a variety of greeting cards available for that “hard to buy for” person on your gift giving list. Cards are available for a requested minimum $10.00 donation to the Polio Plus campaign.
- All donations to Polio Plus are currently being matched 2 to 1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
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e believe that world peace and understanding happens one person at a time. So it is with great pride that we have committed to sponsor the education of a girl in Nepal. Many girls in Nepal never have the opportunity for education so the cycle of illiteracy and poverty become a family “tradition.” Through our partnership with Hands in Outreach (handsinoutreach.org), we have made it possible for a young girl to attend school for 9 years. She is on track to finish high school and will hopefully be able to continue her education and help her family and country break the cycle of poverty.
We worked with EFAC (Education for All Children) to provide a computer to a student in Kenya so she could further her education, complete high school and attend University.
- We support many regional Rotary projects including, Crutches for Africa, Rotoplast (clef pallet surgery teams) and polio inoculation service trips.
- In the past we sponsored a yearlong Rotary Youth Exchange student from Kyrgyzstan. The student spent 10 months in Portsmouth, attended public high school and lived with Rotarian families and friends. After her year in Portsmouth, she returned to Kyrgyzstan and attended the Turkish University.
Members of our committee have also participated in friendship and business exchanges to England, the Dominican Republic, and Bulgaria.
- Our Service Committee also works with local Rotary clubs in the area to co-host year-long Rotary Youth Exchange students from overseas as well as visiting Group Study Exchange teams from around the world.
2015-16 International Service Committee Members:
Joan Nickel, Susan von Hemert, Martha Netsch