The Importance of Publicity & How It Affects Your Rotary Club

1. The Importance of Publicity & How It Affects Your Rotary Club "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 #thinkdifferently

2. What Is Public Relations? • PR gains an organisation or individual exposure to their audiences; ie: ‘The local community’ • PR helps organisations [Rotary] and its local community adapt mutually to each other. • PR can be used to build rapport with the local community, the general public and creates awareness of ‘What’s Rotary’. [Public Image!] • PR spreads information to gain public awareness for a person to become interested in service, causes and our organisation and can be seen as a catalyst to joining Rotary……….Members! #thinkdifferently

3. Does RI Encourage PR? YES!!!! According to RI: • Public Relation efforts are VITAL to Rotary’s continued growth & service………….. Members! • Creating a positive image for Rotary is the responsibility of EVERY Rotarian, locally & globally. #thinkdifferently

4. Common Misconceptions • Everyone has heard of Rotary. – “No they have not!” • Everyone knows what Rotary involves. – “They think we are a charity organization!” • Just because YOU know you’re in Rotary, YOU assume everyone else does too! “wear that pin!” • If someone really wanted to be in Rotary, they’d ask you about joining your club. “Really-is it that simple”? • Service Clubs are no longer dominant forces.-True! • NGO’s, Business,Social networks, and Charities are all getting into philanthropy. – True! • Do we think:”We have always done it like this!” • TIME TO CHANGE! – TRUE! #thinkdifferently

5. Ways To Promote Rotary • Promote - via the media [Social & Print] , Project Signs, Banners- club activities which address important community issues, and expose what Rotary does!. • Develop a club Facebook page and encourage community organisations and individuals to link to it. • Solicit third party endorsements of Rotary projects. • Ask beneficiaries of Rotary service to speak or endorse publicly on behalf of the club. • Publicis member participation in club activities in business and trade periodicals as well as at their work places. [ membership certificates on display in the office] #thinkdifferently

6. Ways To Promote Rotary • Arrange for Rotary displays in local libraries, Banks, Shopping malls, Schools, Universities. • Produce a video or take pictures of club activity. Download onto You Tube, Pinterest , your club Facebook page, Rotary Africa, - Keep the local press informed - make them part of Rotary! • Promote & Encourage Rotary’s work with young people. Mentor and help form an Rota Kids, Interact or Rotaract Club. • Seek opportunities for Rotarians to speak at community events & Schools. { Parents are exposed to ‘What’s Rotary’!] #thinkdifferently

7. Ways to Promote Rotary • Wear Rotary branding, pins, shirts, etc. Make it a habit NOT just at meetings! Promote items from the Rotary Shops. • Place old copies of Rotary Mags in local Business Receptions, Doctor’s / Dentists Rooms, Hospitals, etc. • Use signage throughout the community. - Team up with other Community organisations. Use mutual ground areas at Schools, Churches to Display Rotary Signage. A Donation a month is better than paying commercial advertising! • #Thinkdifferently GO BIG! – Think Brand Rotary! #thinkdifferently

8. What Does “GO BIG” Mean? • Update old Pull up banners, etc [reusable and portable] • Use a large sign or banner and display it at community Projects, festivals and events your Club does. • Speak to the Councils about displaying signage permanently in the community. [Not an easy one] so go the School & Church route! • Join forces with another service organisation and create a “welcome to” sign for your community with emblems on the sign. Rotary-Lions-Round Table and Share the cost. • If you can brand your business why cant you brand your Rotary Club or is it embarrassing and private? We do so much more than Social and Business networks! • Show Your Rotary Colours! #thinkdifferently

9. More Ways to “GO BIG” • Get local authority permission to place the wheel emblem at various public places (parks, roadways, etc.) Environmental projects - Sponsor a Roundabout! • Ask your Local Shopping mall to become partners in fund raising efforts . Coin fountains, collection points etc • Start a flea market/car boot or regular community event • Encourage members to be ambassadors for Rotary! • If you enjoy Rotary - Encourage others - GO BIG!

10. Why Publicity is Important “Publicity is a necessity in the world of volunteer work. If you look at it as ‘tooting your own horn,’ it develops a negative connotation.” But if you can view publicity as a way to reach out to people in need and people who can help you in your efforts to do good, then you will have discovered a treasure that provides an unending supply of resources. #thinkdifferently

11. Wondering Where To Start? • Appoint a ‘PRPI’ [Public Relations Public Image] person or team within your club who will promote and liaise media coverage, Look after the club Facebook page and website and foster and project the image of Rotary. • Encourage members to: DRESS THE PART • Wear their Rotary Pins at all times not just to Club meetings. • Wear Rotary branded clothing at events. • Wear the face of Rotary in public • Encourage members to: ACT THE PART • Follow the 4 way test. • Invite friends and colleagues to Rotary Club meetings and events. • Talk the Talk, Walk the Talk – I am a Rotarian! • Above all make Rotary FUN! #thinkdifferently

12. YOU ARE ROTARY • Engage new and old members and share Rotary Stories with visitors to meetings. • BE welcoming • BE friendly • BE conversational • BE a good listener • BE sincere • BE Rotaries Public Image! #thinkdifferently

13. Rotary Post Cards www.rotarygbi.org/members/shop-online-catalogue #thinkdifferently

14. Thank You - #Thinkdifferently in Rotary! #thinkdifferently