by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
John T. Osterlund, assistant general secretary of Rotary International and general manager of the Rotary Foundation, delivered the keynote address at Monday’s Rotary luncheon that brought 400 members from all Jacksonville clubs to the Omni Hotel.
Osterland was in Jacksonville to honor local Rotary members for their fundraising efforts. He said District 6970 was the only district in the region to raise more than $1 million for the international foundation’s program to eradicate polio.
He also recognized three Rotary groups – Orange Park, San Jose and Ponte Vedra – for their achievement in surpassing Rotary International’s goal of $100 per capita annual donations to the foundation. The Orange Park club raised $220 per member, the San Jose club $243 per member and the Ponte Vedra group led the region with $318 in foundation donations per member in 2006.
“I realize that doesn’t come easily. Thank you for your consistent support and leadership,” said Osterlund.