Stories

 

Rotary's People of Action campaign tells the world Rotarians are people of action. But are we as Rotarians being people of action when it comes to that very campaign? Faced with a tight budget, many rotary leaders think there is little room in their spending plan for discretionary items like People of Action ads. The campaign is designed to increase awareness in Rotary and our humanitarian efforts. The desired result is membership growth, which ultimately grows dues and our budget. So isn’t it ironic that it is among the last things we tend to fund?

 

Rotary’s new strategic plan is underpinned by four key priorities – to increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance participant engagement, and increase our ability to adapt. The emergence of new club models is evidence that Rotary clubs and districts are working actively to advance these priorities.

 

Have you visited the Brand Center lately? They’ve added a new video, “Power in Our Connections,” that you can share on social media. By doing so, you become part of Rotary International's public image campaign, helping to show how we are all People of Action.

 

The desire to give back, become involved in your community, create connections, and use one’s skills to benefit others is a cornerstone of civil society. But how can young people find these opportunities while facing the challenges of a widening skills gap, lost personal connections through digital isolation, and an uncertain future?

 

Like many Rotary clubs, the Rotary Club of Humboldt, Tennessee, USA was looking for ways to boost its membership two years ago when it heard about the flexible and innovative club models being promoted out of Rotary headquarters. They were excited and did a bit of research to see if one option, corporate membership, would work for them...the results have been phenomenal.

 

Innovation and flexibility. Those are two words you hear a lot today when we think about any organization adapting to a rapidly changing environment.  But what do those two words mean for Rotary?

The social media team at Rotary headquarters is encouraged to see a growing number of clubs adopt social media to promote Rotary and tell their stories. The team realizes that keeping up with all the changes to social media can be challenging. So here is one of the exciting new features been used to tell Rotary’s story and give you a few tips for creating your own.

 

For the past few years, Rotary International has been promoting Reconnect Week as a time to remind Rotary clubs of the value of reaching out and “reconnecting” with alumni of Rotary programs like Interact, Rotaract, scholarships, Rotary Peace Fellowships, youth exchange and other regional programs. But celebrating alumni and making them feel welcome to your club is something you can and should do year-round. Alumni of Rotary make great leaders and innovators and may possess the skills you need for your next service project.

 

It’s hard to believe that social media has been around for more than twenty years. From the early days of crafting the perfect AIM away message in the late ‘90s to the rise of sharing photography on Instagram … social media has certainly come a long way and continues to evolve. It’s important to remember why we started getting “social” in the first place: to connect with one another. Sharing stories that show Rotarians as People of Action on social media is an easy and effective way to amplify your club’s success to the world and build awareness and understanding of what we do.

 

Over the last year, there have been many stories highlighting club projects in Nassau, Bahamas, and Seattle, Washington, USA. Each project demonstrates how Rotarians take action to solve problems in their own communities. These type of projects translate well into visual storytelling content. A good approach to photography remains consistent with the Rotary brand - one that strives to make authentic images that represent the values and personality of Rotary. Because of this, appealing images are created and tell a bigger story  – one that reflects the projects and people who make the world a better place.

 

Rotary, like any business, has customers. For us, those customers are our members and we must provide value to assure satisfied customers. The key to attracting and retaining young professional “customers” is presenting a Value Proposition that is attractive.

 

 

The Rotary Club of Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA, gave a membership drive a competitive twist. Teams vied for glory in recruiting members, and the result was 24 new Rotarians. Looking for ways to recruit new members and engage current members, the Rotary Club of Jonesboro decided to harness the competitive spirit. In March 2016, it mounted a membership drive with teams competing to bring in the most new members. 

 

 

 

400 million people in the world can’t afford or don’t have access to basic health care resulting in misery, pain, and poverty. Which is why Rotary members are devoted to fighting and preventing diseases. From setting up temporary clinics, blood donation centers, and training facilities in under-served communities to designing and building infrastructure allowing doctors, patients, and governments to work together, Rotary members take on efforts both large and small.

 

Today (28 November) is Giving Tuesday! It happens once a year, but your gift to The Rotary Foundation will make a difference for a lifetime. This Giving Tuesday, you can start the holiday season on a charitable note by making a gift to The Rotary Foundation, and together we can continue Doing Good in the World. Why should Rotary be your charity of choice?  Because our 1.2 million members see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

 

A Facebook page gives your club a voice on Facebook. With so much other “noise” on social media, there are several things you can do to raise your club’s page above the distractions. 

 

Through the SHARE system, contributions to The Rotary Foundation are transformed into grants that fund local and international humanitarian projects, scholarships, and activities, such as vocational training teams. At the end of every Rotary year, contributions directed to the Annual Fund-SHARE from all Rotary clubs in the district are divided between the World Fund and the District Designated Fund, or DDF. Learn more...

 

The Practice Lab trains your clubs and districts in Rotary’s online tools, topics, and resources. It’s a replica of My Rotary, so you see actual screens and use actual functions in a practice environment. The Practice Lab is a dynamic resource that allows learners to gain experience with Rotary's online tools in a risk-free setting. Learn more about the Practice Lab...

 

 

World Interact Week is 30 October to 5 November this year...Whether it’s the friendships formed, the outstanding service projects completed, dedicated club advisors, want to know what makes an Interact club GREAT? To celebrate World Interact Week Interact clubs were asked "what makes your club great?" Clubs from around the world shared their stories and here are five showcased as an example of the great work of Rotary youth.

 

The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. During the past 100 years, the Foundation has spent $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects. With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world. Find our more about our Foundation...

 

Rotary members in Harvard, Illinois, USA, have teamed up with community groups to help alleviate hunger and bring the community together. As many as 250 needy families benefit from the 10,000 pounds of vegetables that are grown in a community garden and donated every year to the local food pantry. With only seven members, the club has had an impact far beyond its size, amplifying its efforts by partnering with others.

 

 

You don’t have to buy a plane ticket to participate in this year’s World Polio Day festivities at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s facility in downtown Seattle, Washington, USA. You can watch the event live on 24 October at 14:30 Seattle time (UTC-7) for an update on our global campaign to eradicate polio. In case you miss it, a recording of the livestream will also be available later.

 

According to the United Nations, global unemployment increased from 170 million people in 2007 to nearly 202 million in 2012, about 75 million of whom were young women and young men. Nearly 2.2 billion people live below the poverty line of $2 per day, and the world needs 30 million new jobs every year to keep up with the growth of the global working-age population. During October, Rotary Economic and Community Development Month, take action within your communities to address root causes of poverty: unemployment, underemployment, lack of economic opportunity, lack of appropriate training, and the absence of social safety nets. Read on for ideas to help grow local economies. It is a great opportunity to leverage your vocational skills to help meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 8: promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all. Read on for ideas on how to empower members of your community.

 

 

 

Nearly 800 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. Rotary members are passionate about providing sustainable solutions to poverty. Rotary members and the Rotary foundation work to strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities. Rotary provides training and access to well-paying jobs and financial management institutions.

 

 

On Sunday September 10th 2017, the air around Port of Spain was filled with pleasant aromas and melodic sounds emanating from the National Academy for the Performing Arts where the Rotary Club of Port of Spain (RCPOS) and Trinidad and Tobago Restaurant Week (TTRW) held the first annual TTRW Showcase.

 

More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population. Rotary's goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. Rotary supports education for all children and literacy for children and adults.

 

Since 1 July, 2016, the Rotary Club of Edina Morningside, Minnesota, USA, has recruited 31 new members. They have grown from a medium to a large-sized club in their district at 93 members. Tom Gump, club president and a district trainer, shares 10 tips for replicating their success, the latest in our series of blog posts for Membership and Club Development Month.

 

UNICEF and the World Health Organization have produced a nearly-four-minute video thanking Rotary and its members for protecting the world’s children against polio for more than 30 years.

 

Every dollar you have donated and every drop of vaccine you have helped administer have brought us one step closer to a polio-free world. This video is a powerful reminder of the positive impact Rotarians have made around the world. Watch it now...

 

People donate money to good causes for all sorts of reasons; it could be a personal connection to a community in need, a debt of gratitude for a past kindness, or a desire to leave a legacy. Rotary asked eight people around the world what motivates them to give to The Rotary Foundation — and to keep giving — and the answers were as diverse as our membership. Here are their stories...

 

Rotary has created a new global ad campaign called "People of Action." The campaign is based on research that revealed that while many people have heard of Rotary, few actually understand what Rotary clubs do. By downloading our materials in the Brand Center, we can begin telling our club's story in a consistent, compelling way. Here's what you need to know.

Barry Rassin, of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International for 2018-19. He will be declared the president-elect on 1 September if no challenging candidates have been suggested.

 

 

One of the biggest conversations around Rotary these days is membership growth. There are quite a few stories flying around and all of them provide good advice. But there is a second topic that is as important, if not more so, than membership acquisition, and that is retention. What can we do to keep these members we have worked so hard to bring in?

 

Are You Finding It A Challenge To Inspire and Engage New Members?

 

 

 

 

Does your club make effective use of social media? Social media has revolutionized the way we connect with our friends, family and acquaintances in our network. Through their pictures and online posts, we can tap into their likes and dislikes, which effectively can have an impact on you. It has become a portal of advocacy - a way to get the word out, and often, we even see viral trends. It isn't as simple as just having a presence however.

 

 

Rotary International was excited to reveal a new public image campaign, People of Action, at this year’s Rotary International Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. As Rotarians from all over the world came to Atlanta, they experienced and learnt about this global campaign for the first time at the convention, held at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center, 10-14 June 2017.

 

Rotary is working with Google’s virtual reality team to offer an experience that showcases the impact of compassion to a global audience.  Rotary is producing a three-minute virtual reality film that emphasizes the two themes of polio and peace, and how Rotary’s work to eradicate the disease is increasing stability across the world. 

 

To celebrate its 100th year, The Rotary Foundation is recognizing 20 global grants that are sustainable, align with one of Rotary’s areas of focus and were designed in cooperation with the community to address a real need. The Rotarians who helped bring these projects to life share advice. What makes a great project?

 

How do you communicate with your community about your club? Are prospective members hearing about who you are and what you do? A great first impression increases clubs’ chances of getting new members. If your club is looking to increase membership and/or promote its unique culture, events, and service projects, you can customize a club brochure and edit the content or upload your own photos to make a distinctive promotional pamphlet.

 

When Rotary International introduced Rotary Club Central in 2012, it revolutionized goal tracking and planning for clubs and districts — no more filling out paper club-planning forms or passing along boxes of historical club information every time a new leader took office. Rotary Club Central offered clubs and districts a quantifiable way to begin measuring local and global impact, specifically membership initiatives, service activities, and Rotary Foundation giving. But as with any technological advancement, in a few short years, Rotary Club Central began to show its age, and Rotarians took notice. They wanted a tool that was more robust, faster to use, and easier to navigate. It was time for an upgrade.

 

We live in a world where email can quickly get out of control. Yet, for all its faults, it’s one of the best online methods of reaching your audience and getting them to take action. When a person signs up for your newsletter, odds are they are interested in your organization and what it has to offer. 

 

 

Equip your club leaders with a new resource that they and their members can use to promote Rotary’s values, history, and membership benefits. Download theDiscover Rotary presentation, available in regional versions, from theMembership page of My Rotary. Use this PowerPoint at to introduce Rotary to the public, including prospective member members. 

 

Learn about the new Grant Center: In December, Rotary debuted the new Grant Center, which features both a new look and a streamlined grant application. You can learn more about the new system in How to Use the Grant Center. In April, RI will also host a webinar to introduce new users to the Grant Center.

 

Did you know that Rotary International receives inquiries from approximately 800-1,000 prospective members worldwide each week? RI gathers their information, forwards it to Rotary districts, and asks the districts to match the potential members with clubs. But only a few clubs used these leads to increase their membership in 2015-16. These prospective members are an untapped resource that can help clubs reach their membership goals this year.

 

It’s a new year, and here’s something you can resolve to do for your club and for Rotary in 2017...Think about the last time someone gave you a “word-of-mouth referral” that influenced your decision to do something. Maybe a friend shared a new favorite restaurant over Facebook, or your neighbor recommended a plumber. Or maybe it was that friendly suggestion to come along to a Rotary club meeting that got you involved in Rotary in the first place. Regardless, you probably acted on the referral, in part, because it came from someone you trust! If you’re passionate about Rotary, District 7030 encourages you this year to become an ambassador for your own club — and more importantly for Rotary — by using your “word-of-mouth referral” power.

 

Discover how your club can use the new club flexibility policies of Rotary International to adapt your club experience to fit the needs of your members and attract new ones. The policies allow clubs great latitude in deciding when, where, and how you meet.

Does your club make effective use of social media? Social media has revolutionized the way we connect with our friends, family and acquaintances in our network. Through their pictures and online posts, we can tap into their likes and dislikes, which effectively can have an impact on you. It has become a portal of advocacy - a way to get the word out, and often, we even see viral trends. It isn't as simple as just having a presence however. 

 

 

August is membership and club development month, a time to focus on and appreciate your members, celebrate their devotion to the club and the impact they have made. It's also a time to think about developing strategies around growing your membership. The reason why Rotary is such a successful organization is because it is full of members that have one trait in common - the passion to make a difference in the world. All of us share this passion and it's what drives us to work together.

 

 

Learning transfer refers to the degree to which an individual applies previously learned knowledge and skills to new situations. It is the primary reason for formal learning interventions—like courses, as well as informal interventions—explaining how to perform a task at a meeting.

 

If there is one absolute truth about millennials, it is this: Anyone who says there is an absolute truth about millennials risks being subjected to their collective eye roll. Millennials are individuals, and fiercely so. According to the Pew Research Center, most of them don’t even like being called “millennials,” let alone hearing generalizations about their shared attitudes and behaviors.

 

By sponsoring an Interact club, your club invested in young leaders in your community. You helped them take action for positive change and discover the power of Rotary. Before the end of the Rotary year, there are two simple steps you can take to help Interactors continue their Rotary journeys. By fulfilling this important responsibility, you can strengthen the connections between Interact and Rotary and leave a positive legacy in your club.

 

Prior to the start of a new Rotary year, the District PR Team is happy to announce that the Club Officer & Committee Resource Section of the District Website is now available. This section contains a comprehensive listing and links to helpful and guiding materials for the various personnel in your clubs.

 

The 2016 Rotary Has Heart program is a Community Service Program which is a continuation from last year’s program, originally initiated by PRID Anne L. Matthews and expanded by DIR Robert Hall.  Zones 33-34 want all of its approximately 1600 clubs in the 29 districts to do a community service project in the 1st quarter of 2016 and let the community be aware of what Rotary is doing.  In so doing, we as Rotarians, can help those in need and improve Rotary’s image in each of our communities at the same time.  The Rotary Foundation Trustees and RI Board consider this awareness a critical element in our membership strategy which is key to Rotary’s future.  This is especially important in Zones 33-34.  Therefore, publicity is a key requirement for Rotary Has Heart.

What do we as Rotarians really know and understand about grants in Rotary? Most members in our District are unaware of the what grants are available to their club and how to go about applying for grants.

 

 

 

One of the most common areas of concern and, unfortunately, causes for some frustration in our District, deals with a Club's online presence. Some clubs are pretty adept at sharing their information and updates via the web and social media; while others find it hard to produce the information necessary or committ the time needed or sustain the personnel responsible.

 

 

Public Relations and Public Image in Rotary does not have to be difficult or scare any Rotarian. While every club should have a designated persons or team dedicated to planning and executing a public relations and public image club strategy for the year, it is up to every member to represent the ideals, philosophy, integrity and objectives of a club...whether in speaking to others about the successes of a club or in communication with media about club projects and activities or in reaching out to communities, groups and individuals in search of support for a club. There are a few simple guidelines that every club can adopt and practice as part of its public relations and public image strategy and find success during the year...

 

For years, we described Rotary by the numbers: 1,220,115 members in 34,558 clubs in 200 countries and regions. Impressive figures, for sure, but they only tell part of our story. What numbers can't convey is the essence of Rotary –- what sets us apart and inspires people to get involved.