History of the One G Annuity Fund (as of 2004)
In 2001 Guy Freeborn, suggested during a National Board meeting finance discussion that the River Rats should establish an annuity fund program. The program would have several objectives: (1) to provide sufficient income to meet future operation costs, exclusive of the scholarship grant program; (2) enable the RRVA to keep membership dues as low as possible; and, (3) reduce or eliminate the need to use any donation funds for operating costs. Guy offered to make the first donation of $1,000 to get the program started. Immediately several other board members and staff provided their personal checks in the same amount - hence, the One G Annuity Fund was initiated.
The initial goal was to raise $50,000 within one year and while we did not reach that "lofty" goal, we did have $46,000 in the bank by the end of 2001. Since then sixty River Rat individuals/couples have seen fit to participate in this effort. Many River Rats have already donated several multiples of One G. The One G Fund now has over $100,000 in its special account and our current goal is to achieve $200,000 by the end of the 2005 RRVA Reunion to be held in Washington, D.C. during the Memorial Day week in May.
One G donations are put into a special account which cannot be tapped for any reason except dissolution of the RRVA. Earnings are currently being reinvested in that account as we intend to build it as quickly as possible - you can help by making your One G donation to the RRVA National Office via check, money order or credit card by phone, fax, regular mail or email. Simply make the donation payable to the "RRVA One G". Phone: (540) 636-9798; Fax: (540) 636-9776; or, email to RRVARiverRats@aol.com
Thank you.
Oh, yes, we provide a small token of our appreciation to each donor. You may have seen one or two.