THE COMMUNIQUÉ The news source for regional leaders Promote our public image with Rotary Showcase RPIC Carlos Prestipino in Zone 23 B&C (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay) found an innovative way to highlight the service projects in his region and make the most of an online tool. Prestipino noticed that Rotary Showcase, where Rotarians and Rotaractors post stories of their clubs successful projects, lacked representation from his region. But enthusiasm is high for enhancing Rotary s public image in his region, particularly among many younger Rotarians, and he saw an opportunity to promote local projects. Members of the winning Rotary clubs accept their awards in a Rotary Showcase competition. Photo credit: Julio Ferreira e hijos. Prestipino and his assistant RPICs organized a public image competition to encourage use of Rotary Showcase. Participating clubs needed to post service projects that aligned with one of Rotary s areas of focus. Projects were evaluated on a point system based on their impact, ingenuity, and communications strategy. Within 10 days, 40 projects had been added to Rotary Showcase from 44 clubs in 16 districts. The contest named winners in the categories of promotion, impact, and creativity. The winning clubs organized a run in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to raise over $6,000 for The Rotary Foundation, sold over 800 portions of a massive paella in Montevideo, Uruguay, to raise money for leukemia patients and their families, and installed what is described as the highest Rotary wheel in the world in the Andes Mountains on the border of Argentina and Chile. Each of these projects garnered significant local news coverage as a result of media pitches, video creation, and social media marketing. Each project also elevated Rotary s image in the region. Rotarians in Buenos Aires organized a run against polio. Photo from Rotary Showcase. Entries were evaluated by the assistant RPICs, and winners were awarded by Prestipino and Past RI Director Celia Cruz de Giay. The winning clubs received a plaque and members received Foundation Recognition Points. Participating Rotarians received certificates. The Zones 23B & C public image Facebook group announced the winners. September 2017 Announcements Download the latest information on grants, planned giving, and contributions. RPICs, download a selection of recent news stories about Rotary. Looking for more stories about Rotary clubs and members in publications around the world? Find them in the Press Center (scroll down to Rotary in the News). Do you have a compelling story about how Rotary has inspired you, your friends, and your neighbors to take action together, locally and internationally? Send it to blog@rotary.org to be considered for the Rotary Voices blog. Rotary.org has been recognized as one of the 20 Best Nonprofit Websites by evaluator Top Nonprofits. The list includes notable nonprofits such as CARE, the World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace USA, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 1
Promote our public image with Rotary Showcase continued Prestipino recorded nearly 20,000 volunteer hours and more than $150,000 in contributions from the 44 clubs service projects. At Rotary Showcase, Rotarians and non-rotarians alike can see the projects being conducted in his region. Rotarians journey to the Andes Mountains to install a Rotary wheel. Photo from Rotary Showcase. RPICs, if you are looking to boost public image in your region, try using Rotary Showcase to highlight local service projects. Describe your Rotary Showcase successes with Conner Fitzpatrick at rpic@rotary.org. 100 percent contributing clubs in Japan and the Pacific Basin Practice Lab Rotary s Practice Lab allows Rotarian trainers to demonstrate our online tools, such as Rotary Club Central and My Rotary, in a risk-free environment with fictitious data. Consider using the Practice Lab to train district leaders. Complete the Practice Lab request form for access. You will then receive account login information and instructions by email. To learn more about the Practice Lab, review the Guide for Trainers and our tips for making the most of Practice Lab features. For questions or help with the Practice Lab, contact Taylor Henderson at practicelab@rotary.or g. All clubs, over 2,200 of them, in Zones 1-3 (Japan and the Pacific Basin Group) contributed to the Annual Fund in 2016-17! Congratulations to the 2016-17 team in Japan, including RRFC Tokuhiro Ikeda (Zone 1), past RRFC Kenju Takekoshi (Zone 2), and RRFC Yuji Murakami (Zone 3), for achieving their Rotary Foundation centennial goal. Presidential peacebuilding conferences RI President Ian Riseley will host six presidential peacebuilding conferences in 2018 to explore the connection between peace and Rotary s five other areas of focus, plus environmental sustainability. The series seeks to elevate Rotary s status as a global leader in each area of focus, while educating and inspiring participants to increase their Rotary service. The series will also provide an opportunity for members and nonmembers to explore project partnerships. Learn more about each event and register at these links: 10 February Environmental Sustainability and Peace, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 17 February Water and Sanitation and Peace, Beirut, Lebanon 24 February Disease Prevention and Treatment and Peace, Coventry, England 17 March Economic and Community Development and Peace, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 28 April Maternal and Child Health and Peace, Taranto, Italy 2 June Basic Education and Literacy and Peace, Chicago, Illinois, USA Rotaract turns 50 Check on.rotary.org/rotaract50 for ideas on commemorating Rotaract s 50th anniversary and learn how others are celebrating around the world! 2
Improving global grant applications By Ingrid Berget, E/MGA for Zone 16, past RRFC, and 2017 Regional Leaders Training Institute facilitator Historically, Zone 16 (Denmark, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Poland) has struggled with grants. When The Rotary Foundation launched the new grant model in 2013, we hoped that grant activity would increase since the new model addressed concerns in our region over the sustainability and effectiveness of grants. Unfortunately, there have been few applications, and the ones that are submitted are often not approved. As an RRFC, I was contacted by several frustrated district Rotary Foundation chairs (DRFCs), district governors, and club members over what to do. 3 As an RRFC, I tried to figure out why applications had been turned down. By contacting Espen Malmberg, The Rotary Foundation manager in the Zürich office, I had the opportunity to talk things over and ask questions. One reason for rejection turned out to be a lack of project sustainability. I researched the issue further by speaking with DRFCs, district governors, and Rotarians involved in the projects that had been turned down. I also spoke with Rotary Grants Manager Abby McNear. Through these discussions, I found that some districts continued to apply for grants as they used to, instead of learning about and using the new grant model in effect since July 2013. They did not use community assessment tools or contact the local club until late in the process. They lacked a solid understanding of sustainability in projects. In short, some of my districts needed to boost their knowledge about the global grant process. In cooperation with Espen and Rotary s world headquarters staff, we set up a webinar in 2015 on sustainability in service projects. A lot of Rotarians took part, but there wasn t an immediate increase in global grant applications afterward. Then, when I learned about the next major global grant application in my region, I asked one of my experienced assistant RRFCs to work with the club and district throughout the application process. We plan to continue to follow up directly with clubs and districts. I hope this strategy will have a positive impact. This past year, I realized that Norwegian clubs and districts needed more information and guidance about applying for global grants. My team, therefore, organized a small Rotary Foundation seminar in December for the DRFCs and their teams, district governors, and governors-elect. We planned the seminar to meet the group s particular needs. Helped again by Espen, we went through all the steps needed to make a successful global grant. We also discussed our experiences and reflected on how to involve local clubs at the project site and include education. The response from the participants was that they have a better understanding of how to move forward on future grant applications. It will take time to see the results, and we need to continue our efforts to educate and encourage those who ve struggled with the global grant process. We also realize that the rules for grants are intended to increase the likelihood of a project s success, and we will work to increase this understanding. While it is too early to draw firm conclusions, I have reason to believe that several global grants are being planned with these guidelines in mind and, therefore, are more likely to be accepted. I also think it will be easier to raise money for The Rotary Foundation with more successful applications. District service chairs play a key role District chairs for community service, international service, and vocational service can motivate clubs to engage in successful service projects and to implement initiatives. These chairs can suggest innovative approaches to solving community needs, promote servicerelated resources, connect fellow Rotarians with expert help, and publicize club efforts. Read about their latest roles on My Rotary s district committees page. RRFCs and RCs, consider how you can enlist your region s district service chairs to enhance grants and service projects. Click or tap the video to watch President Ian Riseley s 2017-18 membership message.
Bring to life the People of Action campaign Resources for the new People of Action public image campaign are now available at the Brand Center. Spread the word to get your clubs and districts involved. Use these materials to show Rotarians as leaders who work together in communities to inspire, transform, and connect. The campaign aims to motivate and engage current and prospective members, as well as donors, partners, and supporters. Celebrate nine new alumni associations Since March, new alumni associations have chartered in Argentina (4905), Germany (1800), India (3142), Japan (Districts 2650, 2660, and 2780), Spain (2201), Sweden (2320-2410), and Venezuela (4370). Several of these new associations have alumni of Rotary youth programs as their core members. We thank all of you who ve helped form these groups, and who continue to support alumni associations in your zones. Through this campaign, every Rotary club large and small, new and old can easily and effectively tell their story in their community. Clubs can craft their own People of Action stories through the campaign materials, such as print ads, billboards, and graphics for social media. As more clubs tell their stories, we ll highlight Rotary s collective impact around the world. As a regional leader, you deliver the Rotary story with energy and integrity. Your support for the campaign will inspire Rotary clubs and districts around the world to tell their stories of being people of action. Support the launch and be among the first to use our campaign resources at the Brand Center. Questions? Contact Jean Saunders at pr@rotary.org. Celebrate International Literacy Day with The Rotary Foundation Rotarian-led efforts like the Guatemala Literacy Project and Nepal Teacher Training Innovations are leading efforts to advance childhood reading by empowering teachers and strengthening community support. Learn about the involvement of Carolyn Johnson, RC for Zone 32 (Canada and United States), in the Guatemala Literacy Project. This month, The Rotary Foundation will share with donors and alumni how Rotarians used global grant funding to bring books and a computer center to eight schools in Guatemala. To celebrate International Literacy Day on 8 September, inspire donors by sharing examples of how your district supports education. Building The Rotary Foundation s Endowment: 2025 by 2025 Our promotional postcard, Your Legacy, Rotary s Promise 4 In April 2016 the Trustees approved the goal of raising $2.025 billion in outright gifts and commitments to Rotary s endowment. As of 30 April, the Endowment Fund held over $1.163 billion. The goal of Building The Rotary Foundation s Endowment: 2025 by 2025 will consist of three overlapping stages: awareness, solicitation, and stewardship. By raising awareness at the convention this year, we hope to set the stage for volunteers and staff to find people interested in developing their personal Rotary legacy. Learn more about Rotary s endowment and contact Karena Bierman at legacy@rotary.org with questions
2018 Rotary International Convention breakout sessions Do you have an idea or project that you want to share with the Rotary world? Organize a breakout session at the convention in Toronto. Breakout sessions can inspire attendees, help them hone their leadership skills, and give them new ideas for projects, fundraising, strengthening membership, and more. Submit your proposal online by 1 October 2017. If you have any questions, write to conventionbreakouts@rotary.org. Updated training materials Check Rotary s newly revised training materials and promote them to your districts for a successful year. Lead Your District: Rotary Foundation Committee This manual gives Foundation chairs and committee members the tools they ll need to motivate Rotarians to participate in Foundation initiatives. Rotary Foundation Basics Do you need a presentation on a Foundation topic or want to give Rotarians basic information before your training event? This Learning Center course can help. District Rotary Foundation Seminar Leader s Guide Promote the Foundation and its work by using sessions and activities from this guide. Grant Management Seminar Leader s Guide Plan your next grant management seminar with this resource, which works with A Guide to Global Grants. We ve also added information to help you create your own grant management seminar course in Rotary s Learning Center. Contact the Learning & Development team at learn@rotary.org with questions. Rotary International 1560 Sherman Avenue Evanston, IL 60201 USA Congratulate sustained donors In 2016-17, over 37,000 donors gave $1,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation. Inviting donors to join the Paul Harris Society is one way to honor those who make contributions at this level each year. Society members are recognized as partners in advancing Rotary s good work around the world, and they are presented with a unique chevron. Many districts also choose to present a certificate at special events. Donors can join the Paul Harris Society online or by emailing annualfund@rotary.org. Contact Jennifer Rotter at annualfund@rotary.org with questions. Questions? Contact christina.sweeney@rotary.org www.rotary.org FOLLOW ROTARY 5