Rotarian Knowledge

Introduction: The WCSRN is based on the knowledge of Rotarians and others who represent partners in the humanitarian aid programs of Rotary. There are many categories of the individuals who collectively provide knowledge and are really the base of the total Network called WCSRN. This base of knowledge presently contains over 500 individuals.

• Zone, Country and Area Advisors - These advisors are available for advise about projects in their specific rotary zones, countries or areas of a country. In the directory below, selecting a particular country will display all the Rotarians that are advisors for that country. Zone Advisors are usually responsible for multiple countries. It is not necessary for a Country Advisor to reside in that country as long as they have extensive experience with projects and Rotarian contacts in that country. In some cases we will appoint Area Advisors for a region of a country or a geographical section of a large zone.

  All Zone Advisors are currently appointed but we can use Country and Area Advisors for many countries and we do not have a limit of a single advisor per country or area. If you are interested in serving in one of these capacities, please review the (LINK) Position Description, and send a e-mail with a brief description of your background, interests and experience to the Zone, Country and Area Advisor Chairman, Jeremy Voizey, PDG

  To Access Zone and Country Advisors for a specific Country, first select one of the Country Alphabetical List, then select the appropriate Country from the Country Drop Down window. After a short delay, a new window will open, displaying the Rotarians that cover that Country.

• Project Specialists - Project Specialists are available for advise about projects for their individual specialties. For these specialties, the Standard List of ID for Projects (SLIP) is available for viewing or downloading. We have used 10 major categories and currently 82 sub-categories to identify these specialties.

  We will always be seeking additional Project Specialists If you are interested in serving in one or more of these specialties, please review the Position Description, and send an e-mail with a brief description of your background, interests and experience to the Project SpecialistChairman,Jeremy Voizey, PDG . Please identify which sub-categories you would like to be listed for.

  To Access Project Specialists in any Specialty, first select one of the Major Categories on the Major Category List, then select the appropriate Sub-category from the Sub-category Drop Down window. After a short delay, a new window will open, displaying the Rotarians that are registered for that Specialty.

• WCSRN Members from RI Database - This Database has over 280 Rotarians that have knowledge of various functional facets of WCS, 3H, and Matching Grant and Disaster Relief projects. Additional Rotarians may register as a member of the WCSRN by completing theWCSRN Data Sheet . The RI Staff presently use this Database to refer questions from various Rotarians to other Rotarians who have various skills and experience. We encourage all Rotarians who have experience with Humanitarian and/or Disaster Relief projects to complete the Data Sheet online or download it from the download section of this web site. Until the Database, itself is online, you may obtain access, to those Rotarians registered, by contactingAdam Friedman at RI

  In addition to identification of the Countries where the Rotarian has experience, the skills and functional experiences registered are as follows:

  Individuals in Developed Countries

  • Ability to assess appropriateness of potential donations for international service projects
  • Knowledge of and ability to access warehouse space for storage of donated goods
  • Ability to advise on appropriate packaging of donations to withstand lengthy durations and potential damage during transport
  • Professional commercial shipping experience
  • Knowledge of ground/sea/air transport options for shipping
  • Ability to advise on ports of departure for shipping
  • Knowledge of potential government assistance (e.g., the Denton program or similar)
  • Knowledge of or ties with other organizations that might provide shipping or guidance
  • Knowledge of/experience with Rotary Foundation grant programs
  • Other

  Individuals in Developing (i.e., Project) Countries

  • Knowledge of import regulations, ports of entry and customs clearance procedures
  • Experience in working with government agencies to facilitate the entry of goods into the country
  • Ability to network to find appropriate recipients
  • Ability to assess the appropriateness of a potential donation, including electrical needs, maintenance, serviceability of items, whether appropriate training will be available, etc.
  • Knowledge of/access to storage facilities that might be needed before donations reach their final destination
  • Other
• WCS DistrictChairmans - The WCSRN has a substantial Database of WCS and former WCS DistrictChairmans who are still active in projects. The current year's WCS DistrictChairman's contact information is available from your own District's WCSChairman or by E-mailingAdam Friedman at RI . If you seek identification of more than just the current DistrictChairman for a particular district, an E-mail should be addressed to Jim Johannsen, WCSRNChairman, Operations Committee. These E-mails should specify the district you are seeking the names for and the reason you need to contact Rotarians in that district.
• RF Humanitarian Grants Cadre of Technical Advisors - The primary task of the Humanitarian Grants Cadre of Technical Advisors is to promote the Humanitarian Grants Program and provide assistance to Rotarians who are planning and implementing projects. Cadre advisors may be called upon to serve as preliminary and periodic site visitors, act as Planning Grant advisors, publicize and promote the Humanitarian Grants program, investigate the alleged misuse of grant funds or assume other duties as assigned by the Trustees in order to promote significant development projects with lasting impact on a region. There is a great need now for French, Spanish and Portuguese speakers in all fields, but especially for the Low Cost Shelters and Financial Auditors teams. The Foundation pays economy-class roundtrip transportation and a small per diem. The form for registering to be a member of the Cadre is available in the (LINK) RF Download Section of the RI Web Site or interested applicants may contact (LINK) Cindy La Greca, Humanitarian Grants Cadre Coordinator, , or Fax 847-328-8554. at the RF.
• Country and District WCS Coordinating Projects - There are several counties where Rotarians have organized communications networks and web sites regarding their humanitarian aid efforts. There are many Districts that have done similar projects. We will not attempt to link the District projects but they can be accessed from the individual District web sites, which can be located by clicking Rotary Web Sites Listed below are the Country Coordinated Projects:
  
  
  • Canadian Rotary Committee for International Development (CRCID)
  • RIBI International Service Committee . When at this site, you should also review their Project Library by clicking the button at the top.
  • Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS)
  • Rotary New Zealand World Community Service (RNZWCS)

• Project Contacts: The Project Contacts listed on the various Project Databases are a valuable source of knowledge about current and completed projects. After a review of projects similar to the one being planned, the new project planner is encouraged to discuss the plans with those Project Contacts.

• Other Interested Parties - Like the former WCS DistrictChairmans above, the WCSRN has accumulated a substantial Database of Rotarians and Rotary partner personnel who continue their involvement in humanitarian aid projects. If you have a need to make contacts with individuals within a specific district, send an E-mail to Jim Johannsen, WCSRNChairman, Operations Committee. The E-mail should specify the district you are seeking the names for and the reason you need to contact someone in that district.