Promoting Rotary 

 

District 1010 TfL Information Sheet Number  4

For more information go to www.thanksforlife1010.org

 

The Thanks for Life Project – Promoting Rotary

 

"In the promotion of understanding, it is important to reach large numbers, non-Rotarians as well as Rotarians, and you cannot reach large numbers privately."

Paul Harris

 

Publicise Rotary’s Work towards Eradicating Polio

 

Rotary’s progress in eradicating polio since 1985 is a very powerful tool for making the public aware; graphics and DVDs are available via the RI, RIBI and the District 1010 TfL websites.

 

Many Rotarians along with their friends have been to the only four countries where polio is still endemic, to take part in National Immunisation Days (NID). There are opportunities to go on further NIDs in November 2009 and February 2010. Arranging for people who have been on an NID programme to talk about their experiences can be very effective in getting the message across.

 

Publicise the Work of Rotary

 

Publicising Rotary’s work under the “End Polio Now” banner must be put in the context of Rotary’s wider portfolio, especially humanitarian projects both locally and internationally.

 

As well as graphics and other visual material, showing equipment, such as any of the Rotary boxes can be effective. In any publicity campaign, getting the involvement of past beneficiaries of Rotary’s support is recommended.

 

It's important to share your club's story with the local community to raise awareness of what Rotary is and does. An active public relations program not only enhances Rotary's image but can also help gain support for projects and attract and retain high quality members, which ultimately improves the quality of service that Rotarians provide. Consider the following Public Relations strategies:

 

Visibility

§         Display the Rotary emblem.

§         Display Rotary banners and signage at all events.

§         Develop a club fact sheet leave copies where people will read them.

§         Encourage club members to always wear their Rotary pins, not just on meeting days.

Planning

§         Develop a comprehensive list of media outlets and key media contacts in the community.

§         Build a PR component into every event or project.

Implementation

§         Prepare and dispatch a news release when the club has an event, project, or interesting speaker.

§         Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper or magazine profiling the club's annual accomplishments and thank the community for supporting Rotary events and programs.

§         Place a newspaper supplement focusing on the club's projects and programs.

 

 Direct your Rotary message to:

·         the media

·         local and national government officials

·         the business community

·         civic leaders and organizations

·         people directly affected by Rotary service projects

 

Effective public relations campaigns require time, effort, and planning. It is incumbent on Rotary public relations chairpersons to develop a strategy at or before the beginning of each Rotary year. Before anything else, make a timetable. By developing a comprehensive plan early on, you can prevent difficulties later and avoid last-minute preparations.

 

Once stories are developed, identify the target media. These might include:

·         your regional or local newspaper

·         the local radio station(s)

·         specialized media that cover one specific topic, such as education or health

·         local television station(s)

·         local interest internet sites

 

After targeting the media, put together a contact list for each story that includes the names of journalists, editors, or news directors who might take a special interest. Larger newspapers or broadcast stations may have departments or reporters specializing in certain topics such as business, features, medical news, and calendars of events or education. A business writer may be interested in a club's career day for students, while an education writer may wish to interview an exchange student or an Ambassadorial Scholar.

 

Thanks for Life Information Sheets:

TfL1 - Thanks for Life Project - Overview

TfL2 - Polio

TfL3 - Meeting the Bill & Melinda Gates Challenge

TfL4 - Promoting Rotary

TfL5 - Window on the World of Rotary Week

TfL6 – Suggested Actions

TfL7 - Purple Pinkie Project