The Rotary Foundation | Five Trustees named

R.I. President Frank J. Devlyn has announced five new Rotary Foundation Trustees. They are: Irving J. "Sonny" Brown of the Rotary Club of El Paso, Texas, U.S.A.; John Kenny of the Rotary Club of Grangemouth, Scotland; 1998-99 Past R.I. President James L. Lacy of the Rotary Club of Cookeville, Tennessee, U.S.A.; José Alfredo Pretoni of the Rotary Club of São Paulo Sul, Brazil; and Roberto H. Valentín of the Rotary Club of San Juan, Puerto Rico, U.S.A.

Roberto H. Valentín will complete the term of new R.I. Director Kenneth Collins, serving from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001. The others will serve four-year terms, from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2004.

Irving J. "Sonny" Brown is founder, president and chief executive officer of Sonny Brown Associates, an international commercial and industrial real estate consulting firm, and Sonny Brown Properties, a real estate management firm. Sonny, who is bilingual, was born in Mexico and educated in the United States. He became a Rotarian in 1960 and has served as vice-president, director, district governor, Zone Institute chairman and International Assembly group discussion leader.

John Kenny is a lawyer and senior partner with the firm Tait and Mackenzie. He is a past dean of the Falkirk College law faculty and a past president of the Federation of Scottish Junior Chambers of Commerce. A Rotarian for 30 years, John has served as R.I. director, president and vice-president of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI), district governor and vice-chairman of the 1999 Convention Committee.

Past R.I. President James L. Lacy is chairman of the board of The Gilliam Candy Brands, Inc., a national confection manufacturer with plants in four states. Long active in government service, he served two terms as a state representative in the Tennessee General Assembly. He also coached and managed Little League baseball teams for 17 years. Jim and his wife, Claudine, are both Major Donors, as are his son and daughter-in-law. A Rotarian since 1964, he has served as R.I. director, district governor, committee chairman and delegate to the Council on Legislation.

José Alfredo Pretoni is executive director of Dataconsult Ltda., a data processing and management consulting firm in São Paulo. He also is an associate professor at the Polytechnical School of the University of São Paulo. A Rotarian since 1973, he has served R.I. as treasurer, director, district governor, International Assembly group discussion leader and Rotary Foundation regional coordinator. He is a Major Donor of The Rotary Foundation.

Roberto H. Valentín is president of Eric's Snack Products, Inc., and is president of several other firms. He also is a director of Cardiovascular Hospital, the Caribbean Business Weekly and Banco Santander in Puerto Rico. Roberto became a Rotarian in 1966. He has served as R.I. vice-president, director, district governor, committee chairman and International Assembly instructor.

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The Rotary Foundation

       The Rotary Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs.

       The Foundation's Humanitarian Programs fund international Rotary club and district projects to improve the quality of life, providing health care, clean water, food, education, and other essential needs primarily in the developing world. One of the major humanitarian programs is PolioPlus, which seeks to eradicate the polio virus worldwide by the year 2000. Through its Educational Programs the Foundation provides funding for some 1200 students to study abroad each year. Grants are also awarded to university teachers to teach in developing countries and for exchanges of business and professional people. Former participants in the Foundation's programs have the opportunity to continue their affiliation with Rotary as Foundation Alumni.

       The Rotary Foundation is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world. Included in this section is information pertaining to the history of The Rotary Foundation, its financial support, its Alumni programs, training and resources, and the SHARE system.

Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants

3-H Grants are awarded to fund long-term, self-help grassroots development projects which are too large for one club or district to implement on their own. Projects must be self-sustaining after the 3-H grant funds have been expended. All projects must involve Rotary Clubs and Districts in at least two different countries with a significant number of Rotarians actively participating in the project. The projects must be clearly identified with Rotary. 3-H Grants range from US$100,000 to US$500,000, and are considered twice annually and awarded in May and November.