Investing in uncertain assets, the Rotary Foundation made an unrealized loss of about USD 200 Million in 2008 (to the best of my information). The following proves,that you can be (a) an upright Rotarian,(b) gamble,and (c) win, according to the motto: "ENJOY ROTARY". It was the annual district conference - probably in 1984 or 1985, and thousands of delegates had gathered in Bournemouth,England. Harry was president of the Rotary Club of Steyning and Adur Valley (now Steyning and Henfield). Over breakfast in the hotel of the club's delegates,they came to the conclusion that the business agenda looked heavy. They needed a diversion and Harry proposed a wager on the horses.

The proposition was received with much mirth and some derision. Several of those who threw a pound into the kitty had never had a bet before. In making his selections,Harry referred to the names of the ladies in our party and invested in an each-way Yankee. Three winners and a second went in and late in the afternoon Harry waited at the office where he'd placed the bet while they got together the cash to pay him out. He cannot now remember the total winnings,but it was a few hundred pounds. As dutiful Rotarians,they first set aside a good donation to charity. Then they raided the flower shop next door and bought up the entire stock. Next stop was the off licence for six bottles of champane. At a black-tie,pre-dinner reception,hastily arranged on hotel-room telephones,each lady was called up to be presented with a posy of fragrant blooms and five fivers in cash. After dinner,they went out non-stop dancing to the conference big band. It was a night the club will never forget. The next day they begged Harry to repeat the bet,and althoug he felt invincible,he just woudn't take the chance.

Harry's letter was published in Ladbrokes's magazine CLOSE UP in spring 2009. He received a free bet of GBP 250. After much deliberation, he put all the money on the nose of Kauto Star in a world famous steeplechase called the Cheltenham Gold Cup. To make a long story short, the horse romped home.

(1) This article was written by my friend Harry Treadwell, also a Digarian. YANKEE is the name of a special bet in which four horses are named in a combination bet. DODDLE is English slang for "easy" - "easy money".