The seminar was organized by the Rotary Club of Rizal West held last Saturday, 18 March 2000 at the ACCEED Conference Center in Makati. Our PE Paul Chuatico sent a text message a day before the seminar and somehow convinced us to participate. Like the usual, PE Paul was there at 8:00 a.m. sharp which gave us time to have a cup of coffee before registration time. Baby Rotarian Joe Marie Sy was also up and early to join us.

Although behind schedule the seminar kicked off graced by our District Gov. Guiller Tumangan, DGE Jun Perez and Prez Al Montecillo of RC Rizal west. The Plenary Session started with an update and overview of the Rotary Foundation Programme by the guest speaker from Malaysia PDG John Cheah Kam Loong who is also the Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator for Asia. This session gave us insights on the structure of the Foundation; how it works, how it is funded, and how it is used to extend help to the economically underprivileged.

There are numerous programs in place that could be tapped by Rotary Clubs in order to aide and support humanitarian programs by providing additional funding. It was highlighted that in order to avail of the benefits of these programs certain guidelines need to be met. This ofcourse was explained in more detail by PDG John Cheah. One of the numerous programs is the Matching Grants and this was discussed by PP Nash Pablo the GURU of Matching Grants. He gave a very informative presentation on the intricacies of applying for the matching grants and more importantly the HOW to get the applications approved.

Grants can be availed if it meets three basic requirements; it has to be for humanitarian purposes; it has to be in partnership with a foreign RC Club and must have the active participation of the local RC Club applying for the grant. In general it will benefit projects involving education, livelihood and humanitarian projects in order to improve the quality of life for the less privileged. Although our Club is already tapping this Matching Grants we found out that there are other Programs that can support Livelihood and Occupational Literacy that can benefit many in our surrounding community.

Several other RC Clubs were represented and shared some of the experience gained in implementing projects that provide education and uplifting of skills of beneficiaries that is sustainable and measurable. Several projects were presented by other RC Clubs to be submitted for a Matching Grant. The presentations was critiqued by PP Nash Pablo which helped to refine the presentation in order obtain funding approval. Overall the time was well spent and although it took the whole day, it was educational.