Public Relations

Provided by The Public Relations Division at Rotary International
 

Getting Started
One of the first tools that can help you get started is the Effective Public Relations section of the RI web site http://www.rotary.org/support/prtools/index.html. On this site you will find the most up-to-date materials to download such as sample press releases and registration for Rotary’s PR Tips. 

Rotary PR Tips
Rotary PR Tips is a resource for clubs and districts seeking ways to share Rotary with their community. Connecting Rotary to outside news trends is a good way to promote Rotary’s relevance. The e-newsletter comes out twice monthly and offers innovative ideas for clubs and districts. Subscribe and receive PR Tips regularly by e-mail or check out the most recent edition at the Effective Public Relations Web site. http://www.rotary.org/support/prtools/index.html

Public Relations Resource Group
The resource group consists of Rotary leaders with PR knowledge and experience.  PIRG members can train and assist clubs and districts to tell Rotary success stories and act as a liaison between Rotary’s PR department and Rotary members.  Look in your Official Directory on page 0-26 for the coordinator assigned to your zone.

PR Training
Effective Public Relations: A Guide for Rotary Clubs (EPR Guide)(257-EN)
A PR “how-to” is a great way to get started. The EPR Guide is a basic handbook of tips and guidelines to help promote club activities and familiarize oneself with PR tools of the trade. US$3 (order item only, available in EN, SP, PO, FR) http://shop.rotary.org/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=32_35&products_id=141

Five Easy Steps: A Guide to Public Image Projects (604-EN)
The folder offers tips and techniques on creating Rotary awareness in your community through billboards, print, radio and television media.  2005 Free (EN, FR, JA, KO, PO, SP)

PR Tools
Humanity in Motion
Rotary International has created a Global Public Image Campaign to increase public awareness of Rotary and establish a better understanding of what Rotary accomplishes to improve communities worldwide. Increased awareness will serve to both interest potential Rotary members to find out more about joining Rotary and inspire and encourage existing members. 

The core of the campaign includes PR tools on a CD-Rom consisting of print, broadcast and internet elements. Rotary clubs and districts are encouraged to pursue local media contacts to obtain gratis or low-cost placements. 

To further assist in the campaign, Rotary has also created PR materials for clubs and districts to help share the Rotary story to their communities, local media and other organizations in their area. The following items are all available by clicking on the links that follow or by ordering them directly through the RI Catalog at (847) 866-4600. 

Rotary: Humanity In Motion II (609-EN)
This CD-Rom and DVD focus on promoting peace through Rotary’s educational programs and consist of print, broadcast, Internet and outdoor elements. Available for download at www.rotary.org/humanity. Free (EN, FR, GE, IT, PO, SP, SW)

This is Rotary (001-EN)
This brochure is a colorful, illustrated guide that provides a brief overview of Rotary for the general public and prospective members.  This is a good PR tool to use  when hosting  public events or attending non-Rotary events. US$4 lots of 10 (EN, FR, GE, IT, JA, KO, PO, SP) http://shop.rotary.org/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=&products_id=38

What’s Rotary? (419-EN)
This handy, wallet-size card answers frequently asked questions about the organization and scope of Rotary. Popular as a handout to non-Rotarians. US$3 packs of 50 (EN, FR, GE, IT, JA, KO, PO, SP, SW)

Tell Children Your Rotary Story (603-EN)
This kit assists Rotarians in making presentations on volunteerism to schoolchildren. It includes a suggested script, guidelines and ideas, and a handout for students. Great for teachers, mentors or youth leaders. US$3 (EN only).

http://shop.rotary.org/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=329

Rotary and the United Nations: Connecting the Local to the Global (266-EN)
The DVD/video highlights Rotary’s work with the United Nations and the international community. Viewers will discover best-practice examples of how to partner with other organizations at the local, regional and international level. US$12 (EN only)

http://shop.rotary.org/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=32_33&products_id=349

PR Award Opportunities
PR Award
The Public Relations Award recognizes Rotary clubs that have generated increased awareness and understanding of Rotary through outstanding media coverage or other public relations efforts. Competition and selection of winning entries take place at the district level. To learn more about the Public Relations Award visit the Web site below. http://www.rotary.org/programs/awards/club/public.html

Humanitarian Reporting Awards (HRAs)
Clubs and districts can strengthen their relationships with the media by acknowledging outstanding reporting. Award an honor for humanitarian-based news reporting in your community.  Click below to download a guide on HRAs that will recognize the contributions journalists have made in helping the general public better understand humanitarian, health, education and cross-cultural issues.

http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/pr_hra.pdf

Best Cooperative Projects Award
The RI Best Cooperative Projects Award recognizes clubs that conduct outstanding projects in cooperation with other local, national, or international organizations and thereby increase the awareness and understanding of Rotary within the international community. Competition is conducted on the district level. For more information on the award use the link below.

http://www.rotary.org/aboutrotary/award.html

Rotary Key Messages

Rotary is one of the largest international humanitarian service organizations in the world.

1. Rotary club members are business and professional leaders who are committed volunteers working together to improve communities.
2. There are 1.2 million Rotary members worldwide who belong to 32,000 Rotary clubs in about 170  countries.
3. Rotary’s motto is “service above self.”  The organization serves the needs of communities worldwide.
4. Rotary was founded in 1905 and celebrated its centennial in 2005.

Rotary and Peace
Rotary promotes peace and international understanding through its educational and humanitarian programs.
1.      Rotary sponsors the largest privately funded international scholarship program in the world. Since its inception, about 34,000 students from 100 countries have become Rotary’s cultural ambassadors. They use the skills they acquire from their studies abroad to help their communities.

2.      Rotary has teamed with seven universities around the world to offer a master’s degree program in peace and conflict resolution.  The program aims to train the next generation of ambassadors and social leaders on how to prevent future conflicts. 

3.      Rotary clubs around the world initiate thousands of international humanitarian projects every year. With each child we teach to read, every adult we help learn a trade and every community playground we build, we help bring the world together. 

4.      By addressing the underlying problems that create instability and trigger conflicts --hunger, poverty, poor health, and illiteracy -- Rotary helps promote peace. 

5.      Membership in Rotary allows people from all cultures and nationalities to establish lifelong friendships that transcend political boundaries and tensions. 

PolioPlus
Rotary’s top philanthropic goal is to stop the transmission of the poliovirus by 2005.

1. Polio, a crippling and sometimes deadly disease, still threatens children in parts of Africa and Asia.
2. For as little as US .60 cents worth of oral polio vaccine, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life.

Tremendous progress has been made toward ending polio worldwide.

1.  In the 1980’s, 1,000 children were infected by this crippling disease every day.  In the two decades since Rotary and its global partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, polio cases have been slashed by 99 percent. Fewer than one thousand cases were reported last year.

Rotary clubs around the world have contributed to the goal of eradicating polio.

1. Rotary members have donated their time and money to help immunize more than 2 billion children in 122 countries.
2. Rotary is the largest private supporter of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, providing more than US$500 million dollars and thousands of volunteers to the effort.

Rotary will continue the fight until the world is certified polio-free and every child is safe from this devastating disease.

Rotary and Water
Recognizing that nearly one billion people lack access to clean water, Rotary supports efforts to make sure everyone has access to safe drinking water. 

1. Rotary clubs have helped to bring wells, water tanks, school and  hospital water systems, and sanitary facilities to communities worldwide.

Rotary and Literacy
More than 800 million people cannot read or write.  One of Rotary's main thrusts is to promote literacy. 

1. Rotary clubs helped develop an immensely successful literacy program called Concentrated Language Encounter, which now teaches children to read in countries around the world, including South Africa, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Brazil, Mexico, and Turkey.
2. Rotary works with children, parents, and educators to encourage and build reading skills at an early age.
3. Rotary clubs work with adult learners to improve basic literacy skills and also to reeducate them to meet new job demands.

Contact Us

For more information on resources that Rotary can provide for your club and districts place e-mail pr@rotary.org

Rotary’s Media Relations team is searching for outstanding Rotary-related stories. If you have an exceptional community project or a PR-related question or concern, please contact us at (847) 866-3000 or e-mail pr@rotary.org.