Betsy Rathbun-Gunn - Chair, International Committee

September 1, 2019

According to Betsy Rathbun-Gunn, the goal and key foundation of the International Committee is that Rotary is an international, global service organization. Among its various services the International Committee mission is to meet the needs of other international communities. Programs such as Polio Plus and Pure Water for the World arise out of this goal. This is where we can build good will and friendship in order to understand how people in other countries live and work.

One of the major areas is health care. Over the past years The Bennington Rotary Club has worked with the Bennington Peace Resource Center on projects such as supplying bicycles to health care workers in Somotillo, Nicaragua. In the past when it was it was still possible for high school students to go to Somotillo and work with the children there, the students were transformed by the experience. Many talked about what they had learned at Four Way Test Speech Contests.

The International Committee tries to respond to international disasters by supporting projects like Shelterbox, a key Rotary International partner, which provides emergency shelters for people in disaster areas.

Plans for this year include a mid-winter book drive for Puerto Rico. Even though this is not an international country, providing books through our suitcase project can help them.

Another project is to work with the Community Service Committee, the Catamount Club, and another Rotary club to submit a grant to help support an orphanage in Kenya.

The International Committee works with other committees in the club such as the Vocational Club to host international students. This is another way to build bridges of understanding between countries. Betsy urges members to join the International Committee.

Author: Sally Sugarman (Club Member & Windmill Editor)
Windmill