Purpose of this section: To identify information resources that will help in the process of matching clubs, who have interest in assisting with projects, with clubs that have a need for projects. In addition, the sources listed can be valuable in the Project Definition phase.

Subject Advisor: Charlie Clemmons PDG, Seabrook TX, USA, District 5890

1. WCS Projects Exchange database contains several hundred projects that need assistance. There is a Project Data Form that can be downloaded so new projects can be entered off line. For clubs seeking to support projects, you can search for the kind of project your club would like to support by country or region, project type, i.e.: Community Development, Education, Food, Health, and Water/Sanitation. In addition you can specify a Project Size. You then contact the listed club to offer assistance. This Database is updated at least monthly.
2. Community Projects Database database contains several hundred projects that have been completed but it is a good reference source in how to structure a project and it also provides access to Project Contacts and sponsors of similar planned projects can contact them for advice. Many of the projects listed are Community Service Projects.

3. On-Going Rotary Projects Index – Clicking on this title will take you to the On-Going Rotary Projects Index (OGRPI). Then clicking the Project Name will either take you to the Project Web Site or a short description of the project. Click on Contact Name to address an e-mail to the contact

   Projects listed must comply with the following criteria:

   a. Have been in existence for at least one year with plans to continue for at least another year.

   b. Have sponsorship of at least one Rotary Club or District or other Rotary organization. Can be co-sponsored with an NGO if Rotary is visible in publicity and information about the project.

   c. Be available for sponsorship by other clubs or “transportable” to other clubs.

   d. Be at least two countries involved, ie: no projects that the club is doing for their own community will be listed unless it has support from another country.

   e. If a project does not comply with the above criteria, then it should be listed with the RI Projects Exchange, see item 1.

   To include your On-Going Rotary Projects in this Index, e-mail the following mandatory information to the WCSRN Office:

   a. Name of Project

   b. Web Site address, if there is one

   c. Name of Project Contact

   d. Project Contact e-mail

   e. Brief Description of Project (do not exceed 150 words)

4. RIBI International Projects This is a section of the Rotary International, Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) Web Site that lists the various projects that RIBI is involved with on a continuing basis. There are presently 23 major projects listed. In addition, there is a page Information on New Projects
5. Rotarian Initiative for Population and Development (RIFPD) - Contact: Kelley Cody-Grimm, Executive Director - This initiative involves a special interest group of Rotarians with interest in the interlocking issues of overpopulation, unsustainable development and human suffering. Their Web Site includes access to WCS Projects, relating to this function, that may not be listed in the RI Projects Exchange.

6. Project Fairs and Exhibits - One of the most effective ways to solicit help for your project or to seek a project that your club would like to do is by attending a Project Fair or some other Project Exhibit. These activities provide you with face-to-face contact with your project partners. Project Fairs are scheduled periodically throughout the world and are shown in the schedule below. Project Exhibits are available at District Conferences, Regional Conferences, the International Assembly and International Conventions. The following references will help you with Project Fairs and Exhibits:

   • Organizing a Project Fair ( ) This document can be downloaded from the RI Download section with Adobe Acrobat and provides direction on the organization of a Project Fair. If you want to plan a Project Fair, you should also contact the WCSRN Project Fair and Exhibits Chair, Juan Forster for advice and also to be added to the Project Fair Schedule.
   • Project Fair FAQ This document can be downloaded from the RI Download section with Adobe Acrobat and provides answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQs).
   • Currently Scheduled Project Fairs

     11^th Annual Central America Project Fair – 22-24 January 2004 in San Jose, Costa Rica. See Web Site for additional information.

     4^th Annual Projects Fair in Peru - 14-15 February 2004. Additional information is available from Carlos O. Rioja

     1^st Annual West Africa Project Fair – Tentatively scheduled for Accra, Ghana in February, 2004. We will post specific dates and contact information at a later date.

7. Rotarians Online Conference Center site is an overall "Rotary Interests" site that was built and is maintained by the RRVF "International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians (ICUFR)". It has a topic "International Contacts and Project Discussions" and under that are several sub-topics that relate to World Community Service and Matching Grant Programs. This entire Site is in "forum" or "message board" format. Postings are entered "online" and not edited. Clubs who find partners are asked to inform the sysopGord Hankinto remove the message. .
8. Project Central – This activity is no longer active but is listed for historical reference purposes. It was created and has been sponsored by Rotarians on the Internet (ROTI) but has now being merged into the WCSRN. If you have a project that needs assistance, please prepare a Project Data Form for the RI WCS Projects Exchange and send it to Rotary International.
9. World Service Database - This project is now the Donations and Volunteers Database (DVD Bank), see below

10. 9. Donations and Volunteers Databank – This activity is no longer active to the best of our knowledge. When it was, it was maintained by Rotaract in Europe and served as a tool to maintain communication and collaboration among European Clubs and Districts to support their community projects as well as their international contacts.

11. Action Without Borders, Contact: Ami Dar - mission of this organization is similar to the WCSRN. They attempt to be a resource for anyone who is looking for a project, needs humanitarian aid, wants to volunteer, etc. They are primarily an information resource and they have a Database of 20,000 organizations in 140 countries and the Database can be searched. My search on "Rotary International" yielded 50 references. I did not try to search on "humanitarian aid", etc. but it would appear that this is a valuable source of information, possibly to seek out Rotary Partners, etc.

    Without Borders is a global coalition of individuals and organizations working to build a world where all people can live free, dignified, and productive lives. It is independent of any government, political ideology, or religious creed. Its work is guided by the common desire of its members and supporters to find practical solutions to social and environmental problems, in a spirit of generosity and mutual respect.

12. Charity Net This UK based information center provides searchable Databases, listings, links and other tools for access to Non Profit organizations that provide Humanitarian Aid as well as other types of services.