RCB Thanks Lee Weathers for Five Years of Foundation Leadership
Lee Weathers addresses club
During the June 11th RCB meeting, Rotarian Lee Weathers, who has served as Chair of the RCB Foundation for the past five years, provided an update on the club's charitable arm.
"As Rotarians, we are frequently reminded that ‘Service Above Self’ is the Rotary motto," Lee said. "This commitment is exemplified by our members’ dedicated support of our club's foundation and the impact of foundation funds on our community."
Lee provided an overview of the foundation, established in 1986 as a 501(c)(3) organization to provide support for club service projects in the Birmingham area and beyond. He explained that club members support the foundation with quarterly contributions, multi-year gifts, and legacy commitments through wills, life insurance policies, distributions from retirement plans, etc.
Lee shared that the RCB Foundation is projected to expend a total of $243,750 in grants during the 2024-25 year:
$151,250 focused on Education - preschool learning, college scholarships and ACT test prep for Birmingham City Schools students, sponsorship of students attending RYLA
$12,500 allocated to Health - elimination of cervical cancer in Alabama and Guatemala, critical care transport at Children’s of Alabama
$70,000 to support Rotary Trail - landscaping services, new plants, mulch & pine straw, the upkeep of sprinkler systems, etc., Rotary staff support
$10,000 allocated to Humanitarian and Disaster Relief - i.e. Hurricane Helene relief
Lee announced that Rotarian Clark Watson will succeed him as chair, highlighting Clark's service on the RCB Foundation board, as VP of Community Service, and experience in the legal field and higher education.
He highlighted an increase in the foundation’s total assets from $2,144,000 to $3,402,375 over the past five years thanks to the generosity of Rotarians and their companies, particularly in support of last year's campaign to expand and endow the scholarship fund in memory of Past President Jim Hughey Jr. The RCB Foundation has awarded scholarships to 27 currently enrolled students in addition to 12 who have graduated since the program began in 2019.
Lee thanked members for their support and extended a challenge to do more. "As needs in the community continue to grow, the potential for our club and foundation to respond in greater and more substantial ways is possible with your help." Lee encouraged members to consider giving at a higher level and to contact the Rotary office to make a major contribution or legacy gift.
"Our Foundation is strong thanks to the support of our members," Lee said. "I thank you for entrusting me as its steward. The last five years have been my most meaningful in Rotary. I look forward to seeing the increased impact we can make together."
RCB President Bruce Rogers honored Lee for his service. "Lee, on behalf of the entire club, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your dedication to the Foundation," Rogers said. "Your exceptional leadership has inspired our members to maximize their giving, which ensures the continuation and expansion of the important programs the foundation supports. And your diligence and expertise as a trust officer have been invaluable in helping ensure our foundation assets are well invested and growing. Thank you for the time, dedication and tremendous leadership you have lent to guide our club’s foundation. We are truly grateful for your efforts."
In appreciation, the club elevated Lee's Paul Harris giving level and made a donation in his honor to the RCB Foundation Jim Hughey Jr. Scholarship fund.
President Rogers thanked all club members for their support of the RCB Foundation, which provides funding for the initiatives important to the club. He also thanked the members of the RCB Foundation Board of Directors for their service: Leslie Carlisle, Charlie Collat, Roman Gary, Alison Grizzle, Cissy Jackson, Libby Lassiter, Emmett McLean, Jenny Nunnelley, Hatton Smith, Susan Waldrop, Kennon Walthall, Clark Watson, Bruce Rogers, Charlie Pitts, Tanya Shunnara, Secretary Lora Blalock, and Treasurer Denise Moore.