About Us

Rotarians For Fighting AIDS, Inc. (RFFA) was founded by Marion Bunch of The Rotary Club of Dunwoody, Georgia/USA.  Marion brought a personal perspective to the battle against AIDS when she lost her son, Jerry, to this disease in 1994.  Her action began in 1997 by forming a partnership with AID Atlanta (a local AIDS Service Organization) and creating an AIDS Awareness Program for Georgia’s middle and high school students which is still in operation today and has reached over 450,000 students.

Marion was invited to Africa in 2001 and made multiple important international contacts on that trip.    Upon her return, she gained a reputation as a passionate speaker on the subject of HIV/AIDS throughout Rotary.  In 2002, the RI President,  Bhichai Rattakul,  heard her speak and requested assistance in creating a plan "to help the victims of AIDS, especially the orphans and vulnerable children."  Responding, Marion formed a multi-sectoral, public/private partnership called ANCHOR (Africa Network for Children Orphaned and at Risk).  In 2004, the partnership obtained $8.1 Million USD for a five year grant to help provide care and support for 122,000 orphans in six African countries.

At the same time, the RI Board of Directors approved the formation of Rotarians For Fighting AIDS, Inc. (RFFA), a Rotarian Action Group of Rotary International.  RFFA operates in accordance with Rotary International policy, but is not an agency of or controlled by Rotary International.  RFFA is an independent 501©3 organization, and Rotary International is not liable for the activities of RFFA.

The Organization

RFFA is directed by a 13 person Board of Directors comprised of 13 Rotarian leaders from four continents. RFFA is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia USA, and daily operations are run by the Founder and CEO, Marion Bunch and a small staff. RFFA has established Country Teams in ten African countries.

RFFA’s purpose is to provide assistance and support to Rotary clubs, districts and multi districts in planning and implementing large scale, community development and humanitarian service projects. Because the power of Rotarians influence at the community level is well known, RFFA has been successful in establishing partnerships and generating substantial funds for their programs.

RFFA is considered Rotary International’s Resource Group for HIV/AIDS. Rotary Clubs and Districts throughout the world look to RFFA for guidance regarding their particular HIV/AIDS project plans. The RFFA website offers Rotary Clubs who need support for their AIDS project the ability to link up with Rotary Clubs that can provide resources via RFFA’s ProjectMATCH program.

2010-2011 Board of Directors

	Marion Bunch Founder & Chief Executive Officer USA D6900 "Losing a child to AIDS has changed the course of my life to helping others, especially the children, to overcome the stigma and isolation caused by this disease."		Mike McGovern Board Chair Past RI Director, Past RI Vice President USA D7780 "Rotarian Action Groups such as RFFA give Rotarians an opportunity within their clubs and beyond to help with some of the toughest challenges in the world. The impact of AIDS is one of those challenges and when asked to help, how could anyone say "no"."
	Joan Firkins Board Vice-Chair RRFC, Zone 25 Past District Governor Canada D5020 "I have been interested in children in Africa with HIV/AIDS since going to an AIDS orphanage in Ethiopia. All of the children were orphans under the age of five, and all had full blown AIDS."		Hoshi Daruwalla Corporate Secretary USA D6900 "Mahatma Gandhi quoted ‘BE the change you want to see in the world.’ Marion & the RFFA team worldwide personify this quote. I am honored to be part of this leadership team in the global fight against HIV/AIDS & look forward to enhancing RFFA successes."
	Mark Doyle Past District Governor South Africa D9250 "A leadership position in RFFA is a unique opportunity to support those wonderful people who are out there in the front line of the war against HIV/AIDS. We can make a difference. "		John Glassford Australia D9700 "I was touched by an orphan at Mama Amelia’s orphanage in Mfuleni Cape Town. I do not know her name but she hung onto me all day and I will never forget her or her circumstances.  I joined Rotary in September 2003 and then went back to Africa to see what we could do and I have never been the same since.  My life was changed totally by that orphan lass and I still don’t know her name."
	Peter Kyle District Governor 2013-14 USA D7620 "RFFA is a highly successful Rotarian Action Group and I was delighted to have been invited to serve on their Board. It will give me an opportunity to contribute towards helping the children affected by the scourge of HIV/AIDS while working alongside an extremely competent, committed and collegial group of Rotarians."		Kaushik Manek Director RFFA Eastern Africa Past District Governor Kenya D9200 "Being currently involved with the local RFFA work, my appointment to the join the RFFA board will enable me to strive further to improve the lives of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in the East African region."
	Sandra McKersey Past District Governor New Zealand D9910 "One child educated and given an opportunity is the best thing one human being can do for another."		Paul Netzel Past RI Director, Past Chair RI Board Executive Committee USA D5280 "I agreed to serve on RFFA’s Board because I am deeply touched by the 12 million orphans in Africa – innocent children who are victims of the consequences of HIV/AIDS. Rotarians For Fighting AIDS is a leading Rotarian Action Group with dynamic leadership and, most important, is making a powerful impact. Perhaps I can help contribute toward its success in some small way."
	Olu Olowu District Governor 2013-14 Nigeria D9110 "The plight of the millions of vulnerable children touches my heart.  Rotary and RFFA give me unique opportunities to help them."		A.S. (''Venky') Venkatesh Past District Governor Rotary Coordinator, Zone 5 India D3230 "Being a part of this dynamic and committed team at RFFA gives me an opportunity to play a role, however small, in this important fight against the scourge of HIV/AIDS."
	Mike Webb Past President, RI Great Britain UK D1200 "I joined the RFFA Board to try and make a difference to AIDS sufferers and their dependents. Having traveled in many parts of Africa, I have seen the devastation the illness brings, and I have also seen many Rotary projects that bring hope to those suffering."

2011 to 2012 Advisory Board

	Senior Rotary Advisor: Eric Adamson Past RI Director Past RI Vice President USA D7570 "I feel that the work RFFA has done and will do are so important in this world that I felt compelled to help in some way."		Senior Rotary Advisor: Laura Kann, Ph.D. Distinguished Scientist and Chief, Surveillance and Evaluation Research Branch Division of Adolescent and School Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
	Senior Program Advisor Sandra Thurman President International AIDS Trust Past Director Office of National AIDS Policy White House, Washington

Rotarian Action Group

As a Rotarian Action Group (RAG), RFFA invites Rotarians from all over the world to join them and engage in the AIDS battle.

Any Rotarian interested in HIV/AIDS can review RFFA activities and be linked to global AIDS assistance efforts. A Rotarian Action Group or RAG is an association of Rotarians from around the world who are dedicated to a particular, unique area of service.  Members of a RAG conduct hands-on, global service projects that advance the objectives of Rotary International.

Each RAG is officially approved and recognized by the RI Board of Directors, but functions independently of Rotary International and sets its own rules, dues requirement and administrative structure. Rotarian Action Groups shall be entitled to use the Rotary Marks, consistent with existing RI policy governing use of the marks. Rotarian Action Groups shall be entitled to communicate with the worldwide network of Rotary clubs, districts, and multi districts as per RI’s communication policy.

Rotarians For Fighting AIDS (RFFA) was the first RI Board approved Rotarian Action Group in 2003.

To date there are 16 different RAGS, most of who are dedicated to global health issues. Rotarian Action Group membership is open to Rotarians, spouses of Rotarians and Rotaractors. The size of an individual RAG, and the international structure, enables service projects that benefit from the expertise and collaboration of Rotarians.

RFFA Country Teams

Click Here for a fast, black and white download of the RFFA Country Teams Map.