Promoting Rotary to the general public can be as simple as wearing your Rotary pin or as elaborate as organizing an integrated marketing campaign. By increasing the public's understanding of Rotary, we're strengthening our ability to make an impact in communities around the world.
 
Public image is essential to telling Rotary’s story. By getting your club’s activities promoted in your local news, you increase your community’s understanding of Rotary and strengthen our ability to improve lives around the world.   Read Rotary's "Messaging Guide" which helps bring our story to life.
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does your club have a public image strategic plan?

Having one will help all of your members know the goals and objectives, plus inform everyone understand their role of making sure your club gets credit for the good it does in your community.   Click here for an example that is in Word format so you can customize for your own club.
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2021-2022 District 5890 Public Image Citation Award for clubs

  1. Click here for District 5890 Public Image Award Requirements (PDF)
  2. Click here for the Checklist/Score Card To Track Your Activities (This is an Excel Spreadsheet)
Deadline to complete activities and submit form:  JUNE 15, 2022
Email Award Checklist/Score Card to:  Tommie5890@SuddenLink.net
CITATION AWARD LEVELS:
  • "District 5890 Public Image Citation": Clubs that complete THREE of the five activities in each category
  • "District 5890 Public Image Citation with Distinction": Clubs that complete FOUR of five activities in each category
  • "District 5890 Public Image Club of the Year": For the Club with the MOST ACTIVITIES achieved
The Public Image Awards Program for District 5890 isn’t just a competition to give awards…it’s so much more:
  • It provides a ROAD MAP and PLANNING TOOL for clubs to increase their Public Image efforts
  • It will give a FOUNDATION and FOCUS to our training activities
  • It will RECOGNIZE clubs for their efforts and a job well done
  • It will help use SHARE BEST PRACTICES and provide IDEAS between clubs
  • It will create FRIENDLY COMPETITION, which equals more Rotary impact
  • It’s FUN!
While most clubs might not have someone with experience in public image, odds are that members in your club each have individual strengths and experience that can work together to form a committee.  Take a survey of all your club members to find out who had experience or possibly recruit people in your community to join your club that does:  
  • Local newspaper editors and reporters
  • Public Relations experts at local businesses, churches, and organizations
  • How about a local radio personality
  • Webmasters, Social Media or Facebook
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How do I promote my club’s project?

Including a public relations component in your project plan will help ensure your club’s projects and events get the attention and support they deserve. The following ideas can help you create a successful campaign.

Know your local media 

Before sending stories to a journalist, get to know your audience. Read your local newspaper, listen to the evening news, and follow Facebook and Twitter to identify where a Rotary story might fit. Consider inviting a local journalist to speak to your club about how to work with the media or invite them to join a service project so they can see firsthand how your club is improving your community. You could also:
  • Develop a media list and keep it current.
  • Get to know local journalists by inviting them to learn more about Rotary, your club, or a specific project.
  • Contact the media with newsworthy story ideas, being sure to:
    • Know your story and anticipate questions.
    • Send background materials immediately following contact.
    • Be persuasive, persistent, and friendly, but not aggressive.

Write a press release that journalists want to read

Once you've developed a relationship with your local reporter, help them remember you through regular contact. Share news about your club projects, fundraising events, or the arrival of Youth Exchange students with a press release. You should:
  • Develop your “news hook,” a persuasive reason for the news media to pursue a story
  • Include the five W's in the opening paragraph of your press release: who, what, where, when, and why
  • Keep it concise; limit the press release to one page and paste into the body of your email rather than sending it as an attachment
  • Decide who will respond to media inquiries and include their contact information
  • Include visuals when you send to TV stations

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More ideas for promoting Rotary

There are many ways to promote Rotary. You can hold a special event, start a Facebook page, or place a billboard ad.
You could also:
  • Advertise on cable and public access TV
  • Create a public service announcement
  • Write op-eds and letters to the editor
  • Distribute club brochures, media kits, and fact sheets
  • Post on your club website and social media outlets, including blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and more
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What do I do next?

It is exciting to see your club mentioned in the newspaper or see Rotary featured on a billboard. Keep track of your public relations efforts by watching for Rotary-related news clippings in the papers you have contacted. Remember to send a thank you note to those who helped you along the way.