Michael Marsicano
Foundation for the Carolinas

WOW! Were we ever treated to a wonderful perspective of just how powerful philanthropy is in America by our community expert, Michael Marsicano, CEO of Foundation For the Carolinas. He shared with us his view of the unique American practice of giving to causes we care about. Giving to a charity of your choice makes you a philanthropist and through your gifts, you influence the welfare of others. Our government works in much the same way by taxing us and using those dollars to advance the welfare of our people. When we as individuals freely give, government gives us a tax deduction, a reward for taking a personal role in the advancement of our society! WOW!! We can even use our money to promote something government would not choose and still be rewarded! Michael quoted De Tocqueville "Self government encourages in Americans a tendency to work for the good of their community - it is the duty as well as the interest of men to make themselves useful to their fellow creatures". These gifts must be made to one of 865,000 not for profit organizations in America to receive the deduction benefit. Yet, if each were managed by a board of 10 persons, you have 8,650,000 people serving as an extended form of representative democracy.   Why do we do this? Michael makes the point, many times solutions to issues (disease, poverty, homelessness, education) are generated by philanthropic activity and brought to scale by government activity, advancing this uniquely private/public American partnership.  In the year 2001, American philanthropy totaled $212 billion and more than one trillion dollars over the last five years. Federal spending of $1.8 trillion in 2001 along with contributions of $212 billion means philanthropy is approximately 10% of the two combined. Without this 10% our attention to human welfare would be seriously compromised. Last year of this sum, $81 billion went to our religious interests, $32 billion to educational institutions, $21 billion to human services organizations, and $12 billion to art and culture. Can you imagine our world without the support of this giving? His point is we pay the price for society one way or another, either through government or through philanthropy. He believes philanthropy maximizes the quantity and quality of ideas in the game. Michael went on to say there are 60,000 Foundations in America today and they are poised to have substantial growth due to "wealth transfer" of over $40 trillion during the next 50 years. Today, over $16 billion go to non-profits annually through bequests and this will grow to $200 billion in 15 short years. The endowments of these not for profits will dramatically transform American Society and we need to consider the impact from multiple vantage points. Michael would raise the estate tax exemption to $10 million and tax those over. He argues what has made America economically strong is the drive to create wealth not the drive to protect it. One of his great concerns is that generations to come will not embrace the philanthropic lifestyle. We must all work hard to educate our offspring about generosity, steward leadership, philanthropy, sacrificial giving and the unique American system where philanthropy and government work together to maximize benefits to society! WOW! What a thought provoking message from one of Charlottes outstanding leaders. For a full copy of Michael's comments contact Sandy at our Rotary office.

     Head Table-David Anderson, Martin Welton, Andy Calhoun, Ed Kale, Carol Hughes, Lee Tabor; Song-Martin Godwin.

     Health & Happiness-John Rogers; Club Education-John Snyder; Visitors & Guests-Bob Knight; Invocation-Anthony Fox.

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Did You Hear…

è Polio Eradication Update

Club Pledge:               $54,000
Received To Date:    $34,300
Representing:            145 members

è Rotary Breakfast Bunch will not meet in December.

è Goodfellows Club meeting is December 11^th.  All Rotarians are invited.

è Crisis Assistance Ministry collections have been extended through December 17^th.  Bring your donations to the Tuesday meeting or call Jim Adams, 704-377-6567, if you need assistance.

 è Myra Johnston and the Buddy Kemp Caring House will receive the Vision of Hope award through Astra Zeneca pharmaceutical company at a national conference in San Antonia next week.  The award recognizes outstanding cancer care in their communities.

è Jamie McLawhorn has been named President of the Charlotte Apartment Association.

è Luther Fincher was Grand Marshall of the Carolinas Thanksgiving Parade.

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World Community Service

   World Community Service (WCS) involves a community service project in a country other than ours where Rotary clubs from two or more countries join together to make the project happen.  During the 35-year history of WCS, thousands of projects involving everything from water well improvements to distribution of medical equipment to providing Seeing Eye dogs to providing English language tutorials in libraries have been completed.   The range of possible projects is virtually endless; however, projects involving construction or rehabilitation of buildings or the payment of salaries are not permitted.  Matching grants are available from both District and from RI.

   Because of the potential import/export complexities, RI’s requirements are detailed.  A Rotary club in the host country manages all projects.  This means that communications between Rotary clubs in the host country and in this country needs to be active and complete.  Frequently, several US clubs will join together in support of one project in order that they may combine their knowledge of offshore projects and Rotary requirements.

   Because the needs of many poorer countries are so great and because of the emphasis of RI, it is quite appropriate that our club become more knowledgeable about World Community Service.  Here is a place where you can serve.  If you are interested, ask Ray Killian to place you on his committee.

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Wear Your Rotary Pin

Don't forget the "power of the pin!" Get in the habit of wearing your Rotary lapel pin daily. It invites conversation about our great organization. From eradication of polio worldwide, to locally providing desperately needed clothing to those less fortunate in Charlotte, we need to "get the word out!" So, wear it, share it, and spread the story of Rotary.

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