The Rotary Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.

The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the world." It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 to more than US$55 million contributed in 2002-03. Its event-filled history is a story of Rotarians learning the value of service to humanity.

The Foundation's Humanitarian Programs fund international Rotary club and district projects to improve the quality of life, providing health care, clean water, food, education, and other essential needs primarily in the developing world. One of the major Humanitarian Programs is PolioPlus, which seeks to eradicate the polio virus worldwide. Through its Educational Programs, the Foundation provides funding for some 1,200 students to study abroad each year. Grants are also awarded to university teachers to teach in developing countries and for exchanges of business and professional people. Former participants in the Foundation's programs have the opportunity to continue their affiliation with Rotary as Foundation Alumni.

The Vinitian

Angela came to our Rotary Club in 1995 after having been sponsored by Rick Engleman. As a member of Rotary, she has had the privilege of serving as our clubís first female president in 1999-2000. She has served as song leader, program chairman, committee chairperson for RYLA, Rotary Speech Contests, started the medical supplies program and has served on the board for the past 9 years. Angela received a presidential citation at the end of her term as club president.

Angela enjoys the interaction with others in the business community and being affiliated with a quality group of people who want to make a difference in this town and in this world. She presently works as a news reporter/photographer and associate editor with the Vinita Daily Journal. She is also a professional adjunct teacher at Vinita High School as adviser for the high school newspaper, The Varsity Blue.

After graduation from Spiro High School in 1983, she went on to graduate in 2½ years with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha, in 1985.

Angela loves to sing, teach, write, and just meet new people. She especially enjoys working with teens and young adults. Angela has one daughter, Kat, who is a freshman at Rogers State University.

ìIt is important for Americans to pause and reflect on the sacrifices of past and present Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. The freedom we enjoy should not be taken for granted as it is paid in blood by Americaís sons and daughtersÖIn case we find ourselves starting to believe all the anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during an interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America, he said:

"A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in...And how many want out."

Ed was born in Ft. Worth, Texas. He has been married to Jeanette, an Interior Designer at Ethan Allen, for 37 years. They have two daughters, Emily Long, of Cleburne, Texas, and Melissa Parsons, of Highland Village, Texas. Ed and Jeanette are proud grandparents of Jackson Taylor Long, and Kate and Sid Parsons.

Ed has worked for the Social Security Administration for over 36 years. He has been a District Manager since 1980, serving in Cleburne, TX, Odessa, TX, and Alexandria, LA prior to coming to Tulsa in 1995. As District Manager, he oversees all Social Security operations in Northeast Oklahoma in Tulsa, Mayes, Creek, Rogers, Washington, Nowata, Osage, Ottawa, Delaware, and Craig Counties through offices in Tulsa, Bartlesville, and Miami. In addition to his duties as District Manager, Ed has taught Communications, Diversity, Systems Management, and other management subjects to managers and supervisors throughout the Social Security Administration. Ed has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award and the Commissioner's Citation, which is the highest award presented in the Social Security Administration.

Ed is a graduate of Texas Tech University. He has been active in church and community service wherever he has lived. He served as United Way Campaign Chairman and President in Cleburne, Texas and Odessa, Texas, and has served on numerous non-profit boards and commissions. He served on the 2004 Campaign Cabinet of the Greater Tulsa United Way. He is a member of First United Methodist Church in Tulsa. Ed is an avid sports fan. He and enjoys playing golf and training and competing in obedience and agility trials with the familyís dog, Sophie.

Ed initially joined Rotary in Alexandria, LA and became a member of the Rotary Club of Southeast Tulsa in 1996, where he has served as Sergeant at Arms, Club Secretary, Vice President and President. He served District 6110, which covers parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas and has over 5,200 members in 79 clubs, for three years as Assistant Governor. He served as District Governor during the 2005 – 2006 Rotary year. He served as Chairman of the Heart of America Breakfast for the 2008 Rotary International Convention in Los Angeles. He served as General Chair of the 2009 Mid-America PETS and is currently the Chairman of the Mid-America PETS Board of Directors. He serves as the Vice-Chair of the Rotary International Multi-District PETS Alliance and will serve as its chair in 2011. Ed has served on the District 6110 Rotary Foundation Committee four fours years, chairing the Paul Harris Society and is currently the District 6110 Foundation Chair. Ed served as the District 6110 Trainer during the past two Rotary years. He currently serves as a Zone 31 Membership Assistant, is the Arrangements Chair for the 2009 Rotary Institute, which will be held in Tulsa, and will serve as the Registration Chair for the 2010 Rotary Institute in Nashville. Ed, Jeanette, their children and grandchildren are all Paul Harris Fellows, and Ed is a member of the Paul Harris Society. Ed and Jeanette are Benefactors, members of the Bequest Society, and are Major Donors to the Rotary Foundation.