Top “10” List
Rotary Public Image
1. Make sure every club in your district has a Public Image Chair and request they get timely updates from the
District Public Image Chair. Include Public Image in District Assembly and other Leadership and training
sessions. (See next page for specific references)
2. Bring members of the media into your clubs as Rotarians. Their connections and their perspective are a
valuable resource.
3. Make Use of the Public Image Grants made available by R.I. (Up to $10,000) Don’t be afraid to apply for a
grant that is less than $10,000. Your district may not have allocated enough to come up with the 1/3 match
required. Also- you may want to start with a smaller project. Important to remember—it is up to $10,000—
and you may apply for less.
4. Review the “Humanity in Motion” and other booklets and materials available from RI- and subscribe to
Rotary “PR” Tips & Rotary International “Weekly Update”
5. Look for ways to work with Membership Development and the Rotary Foundation committee in your
district
6. Checkout “Constant Contact” – www.constantcontact.com to improve e-mail communications and bring
Newsletters into the 21st Century and make use of www.youtube.com/rotaryinternational
And also use YouTube and video sources in your websites and electronic newsletters. Also- check out
http://www.clubrunner.ca www.clubwizard.com . These providers are familiar with Rotary and can help
your club or district with website development.
7. Remember Pins and “What’s Rotary?” We need to wear our pins and be ready to explain what Rotary is all
about. Having a “What’s Rotary?” card handy is an asset. It gives people a perspective on Rotary. We should
have it available- but also be ready to verbalize its contents.
8. Share success stories. Rotary clubs and districts can learn from the examples of other clubs and districts.
Often, the best ideas for Public Image are projects which have been successful in other districts and clubs.
Let’s work together!
9. Start a Rotary Blog in your district. This goes “hand in hand” with the preceding information on “YouTube”
and website development. One example can be found at www.rotary7120.org . This is a “Generation X”
blog—and addresses the thoughts and concerns of younger Rotarians. Bottom Line- we need to embrace the
new media around us to attract the Rotarians that will take us to the next generation.
10. Develop a Media Crisis Plan. Every club and district needs to have a “team” in place to deal with the
public image crisis should it arise. The RI pamphlet on this is an invaluable resource.
For District Leaders and Trainers:
*Note- To use the active links on this page you may access this document on the web at
www.alhart.com/rotary.htm
District Assembly Leaders’ Guide (828):
Sessions 1-3: Club Public Relations Committee, p147-174
o Addresses role and responsibilities, developing goals and case studies for club PR committees.
http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/828en.pdf
District Membership Seminar Leaders' Guide (242):
Roundtable Discussion G: Public Relations, p58
o Gives participants an opportunity to discuss PR in relation to membership.
http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/242en.pdf
PETS Leaders' Guide (243):
Session 8: Public Relations, p131-142
o President-elects will discuss developing a public relations plan for the club and ways to raise the image
of Rotary in the community.
http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/243en.pdf
District Team Training Seminar Leaders' Manual (247):
Handout 8: Resource Search, Question 6-7, p69
o Participants can discuss hypothetical scenarios involving PR situations.
http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/247en.pdf
District Leadership Seminar Leaders' Guide (248):
Handout 4: District Committees, p43
o Outlines the purpose, responsibilities and qualifications of the District PR Committee.
http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/248en.pdf
Resources:
Zone 31 Coordinator Zone 32 Coordinator
PDG Donald W. Alhart J.W. Arnold
103 Fiddlers Hollow P.O. Box 75206
Penfield, NY 14526 Washington, D.C 20013
585-321-2261 202-528-1275
E-mail: don@alhart.com E-mail: jw@prdconline.com