Public Image Action

Fun events with Rotary support

2012-03-15T21:00:00.001+13:00

A comment to share...

2012-03-15T08:39:00.000+13:00

This was a comment on the Blog post "There'sthat banner again!!":

Nice share! I think that is what we are lacking as a society, support for oneanother. We can only move as far as we want to take ourselves. The opportunityis always there, but it is up to us to grab that and make something happen. Thechange starts within ourselves, one person at a time.

Make sure you contribute your valuable views - it is simply a matter of clicking on 'Comment' at the bottom of the posting.

We all must be change agents for Rotary?

2012-03-14T08:00:00.000+13:00

RI Director Stuart Heal

The board of Directors of Rotary International met immediately after the International Assembly in San Diego in January. The material discussed was very wide ranging and in my opinion we are seeing the influence of the new General Secretary in asking the board to address the key strategic issues. The board is very process driven and does handle a lot of decisions that in my view should be made by staff or a committee structure....however that is just my view.

The brand revitalisation exercise has commenced and an interim report from consultants Siegel and Gale was presented to a combined meeting of the board and trustees. They revealed the results of their extensive research and, for the first time for many of us, what had been anecdotal before was now real. Among many findings they concluded if you ask 10 people what Rotary stands for you will probably get 10 different answers. We are perhaps our own biggest impediment. There is a long way to go with this exercise but it will challenge our traditional thinkers.

In preparing for this meeting where I was requesting a pilot be established to look at revitalising the District structure in New Zealand and Australia, I was very disturbed to have confirmed that our membership in Australia has declined by 5,000 members in the decade ended 2011 (almost 14%) and 1,400 in New Zealand (13%) meaning we have 41,400 members now and in the year 2000 we had 47,800. Were that trend to continue I reckon we have, at best, another decade before we become perhaps dysfunctional but certainly irrelevant in our communities. We need to address this and start now. The board has asked for a regional three-year membership plan for each of our countries and they supported the pilot to look at our District structure. We now have 13 of our 28 districts very close to the point where the board may force merging. Once districts get to 1200 members the board may act. We have 13 districts with fewer than 1400 members and if you apply the membership trend from the last decade you can see change is inevitable. The current Governors have recognised this and a task force has been established. Without even second guessing what they may come up with the challenge will be to change tradition and challenge history. Parochialism and history may need to move aside to ensure survival.

The other big issue is the launch of Future Vision in July 2013. I was back to Evanston early February to attend a Future Vision meeting and had plenty of discussion topics raised by clubs and districts around the zone. The transition has been difficult particularly where we had established relationships between districts and only one became a pilot district. Maybe the pilot was a little internally focused and forgot about the recipients of our work. However it is a pilot and things can and will still change. Group Study Exchange is another programme to be reevaluated at this meeting.

So my conclusion is that changes are happening and yes we do have some major issues to deal with. I note with pride we have achieved our goal of raising $200,000,000 as part of our commitment to eradicating polio and closer to home, a club in my district with about 40 members, just raised $31,000 for the local hospice. Rotarians get it done....... despite ourselves !

An innovative Rotary promo to share

2012-03-12T19:48:00.001+13:00

Rotary International Headquartes Visited

2012-03-11T21:31:00.005+13:00

Last week I had the opportunity to visit Chicago where I attended an Institute for all Public Image Coordinators. We were also joined by the Rotary Coordinators and the Foundation Coordinators. This was an opportunity to meet our fellow counterparts from around the world. We took this opportunity to work together to share ideas and to formulate strategies on ways to better enhance the image of Rotary in the community.

Some of us also took the opportunity to visit RI Headquarters where I got to shake the hand of 'Paul Harris' and to find the New Zealand flag. More details on the output from this Institute in future postings.

Exciting times ahead for Rotary world-wide

2012-03-10T20:30:00.000+13:00

I am about to come home! I have spent the last 5 days in Chicago at a training Institute with my fellow Rotary Public Image Coordinators where we have been joined by the Rotary Coordinators and only today with the Rotary Foundation Coordinators. A truly international gathering.

Today we were addressed by our General Secretary John Hewko who outlined the major areas of focus.

These are:

The eradication of polio - there are now only 3 countries where polio is endemic - Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan.
The implementation of the new grant model for The Rotary Foundation
The capturing of the world-wide value of all Rotary projects outside of The Foundation - "Rotary Club Central" will allow Clubs to record their activity and for the first time Rotarians will see the value of our activity across the globe
Making Rotary more appealing to potential members and especially those young adults who are looking for an organisation with a real cause. This will involve revitalising our brand, upgrading of RI web site and developing further strategies with the use of social media
The 'Project Enhancement' focus where Water and Sanitation case studies and projects will be developed where Rotary Clubs can participate.

There is much exciting change ahead!

Woman's Day - March 8

2012-03-09T16:27:00.000+13:00

We could not possibly reach children inmany communities
without women vaccinators.[F. Caillette/WHO]

Out there in two continents right now, there is adedicated, yet largely unacknowledged army of women devoted to ensuring thatpolio is eradicated. Dressed in uniforms of fluttering burkhas in vivid skyblue or sober black, jewel tone saris or vibrant African prints, these womenwalk from door to door, talking to families, giving vaccine – all to protectchildren against polio.
In many countries, a vaccination team cannot functionwithout a female vaccinator. In conservative areas, where male vaccinators cannot enter the house, having a woman on the team can mean the difference betweena closed door or a welcoming invitation into the home. In northern Pakistan,Afghanistan or northern India, the sight of burkha-clad women tramping through thealleys with their clipboards, vaccinating children, conducting socialmobilization with mothers and recording coverage is a heartening signal of howthese women and their communities value the health of their children.
Read more ....

Photo essay to capture a community

2012-03-09T08:00:00.000+13:00

Well done Wellington South Rotary for your initiative and we wish you all the success.

Click on the article and go to the paper on line and look for page 9.

Magazine Month - April 2012

2012-03-07T18:12:00.001+13:00

Zone 8 and 7b.

April is Magazine Month in the RI Calendar and the following linkcontains an extract from the March Rotary Down Undermagazine with information that is relevant to an approach to clubs by youencouraging them to make the most of this annual opportunity for club PR

http://www.rotarysouthpacific.org/_show_doc.cfm?id=2959&doc=45B61FF1-85A5-4747-B03E-8CD7D3711B23

Also we are suggesting that club Bulletin Editors be encouragedto become followers of www.rotarystories-nzandpacific.blogspot.comto be able to include most current posted stories as items of interest intotheir club bulletins where they have the space - all bulletin editors have aneed for this from time to time. Using this they can also access otherRotary Blogs for the same purpose.

There's that banner again!!

2012-03-06T17:12:00.003+13:00

The now "famous" banner turns up in Auckland at
South Pacific PETS

Rotarian Dave Wilson (Eastern Hutt) reports:

Whiledisastrous weather forced the first closure in 35 years of the second RotaryMartinborough Fair this year last Saturday March 3, 2012 & our scheduledEmergency Response Kit Display, the Rotary NZ World Community Service ERKDisplay at the Multi-District President’s Elect Training Seminar held in Aucklandthe same weekend at the Waipuna Motor Lodge was well attended.

Whata great full on weekend we experienced - I believe the RNZWCS Ltd ERK Displaythat I setup & manned this year at the Multi-District PETS for the secondyear running to have been an absolute success story with so much interest fromthe attendees I almost lost my voice.

MyRotary Tear Drop Banner in the Display created a lot of interest as well &particularly after IPDG Howard Tong gave it a sales boost in his Public Image& Awareness Presentation on Sunday Morning. This caused a two prongedeffect bringing interest in both the Emergency Response Kit & also myRotary Tear Drop Banner which I could have sold many times over &eventually did.

HavingBob Niranjan from the Rotary Club of Suva, Fiji with me on the RNZWCS Ltddisplay when he was available over the weekend to give a first hand account wasa real added bonus as he has warehoused & also helped distributeprepositioned ERK’s in Fiji afterdisasters for several years.

RNZWCSLtd Administrator PDG Stuart Batty pictured in the attached photo wasalso present to give of his experiences & support when needed. He recentlyvisited Fiji after the disastrous floods late January 2012 when approx 400ERK’s were distributed.

India removed from the polio-endemic list

2012-03-05T18:34:00.003+13:00

India removed from polio-endemic list

The World Health Organization has removed India from the list of polio-endemic countries. The news was announced at the Polio Summit 2012 in New Delhi, India.

Read "India is no longer polio endemic"
Read more from Rotarians who took part in National Immunization Days in Rotary Voices

Well done Aussie!!

2012-03-02T22:25:00.002+13:00

Backin October we started the journey to find an iconic Australian location that wecould feature with an illumination of "End Polio Now" to celebrateRotary's 107th birthday. Three sites were considered Uluru, the OldParliament House in Canberra and Federation Square in Melbourne. Federation Square was chosen. On the 25th, 26th and 27th Feb Rotaryilluminated Federation Square in Melbourne with "End Polio Now" aspart of the Global celebrations for Rotary's 107th Birthday.

Well done Matamata, NZ

2012-03-01T23:35:00.001+13:00

The good news just keeps on coming . Up to 5186 swimmers recorded, and over £37,292 raised or US dollars $59,364 Please keep sharing those outline details of swimming numbers and funds raised so far - who knows, we might even go beyond $100,000!

How to (fail to) motivate your audience to take action

2012-03-01T08:12:00.003+13:00

An article worth reading when considering an ad campaign:

1. Be concrete and specific. Abstraction is deadly.

2. Feature an individual, rather than a group or, far worse, daunting statistics.

3. Avoid a negative image, for instance a starving child.

4. Write to a single person, not the many you hope to motivate to act.

5. Reach out to the heart first, head second.

6. Emphasise a clear, easy-to-do call to action.

7. Start at the end and work backwards.

Our responsibility to tell the Rotary story

2012-02-28T23:35:00.000+13:00

Beneficiaries of Rotary’s community service projects are well aware of the good work Rotary does, but the general public often is not.

“It’s the responsibility of each and every Rotarian to tell the story of Rotary service to our
communities,” says Pauline Leung, general coordinator of Rotary public image coordinators, a member of the Rotary Club of Taipei Pei-An, Taiwan.

“When we talk of promoting Rotary, we have to do it through effective channels. The most credible way is to have the media tell our stories.”

Mentioning Rotary to business colleagues, friends, and others is an important way individual Rotarians can spread the word about what we do, one person at a time. Person-to-person dialogue about Rotary makes a difference.

People are much more likely to know about Rotary and perceive it positively if they personally know a Rotarian.

All Rotary clubs should look at their current practices for promoting Rotary and implement a plan that makes sense for them.
From Rotary Leader - January 2012

What a result!!

2012-02-27T23:26:00.000+13:00

"I still can't quite catch my breath with all the excitement, the videos and photos, and all the incredible stories coming in from every part of the globe - just remarkable!!

R.C. Tenerife Sur, D 2201,Canary Islands, Spain

Once again I have a fantastic update on the numbers to share with you.We have now almost all of the swimmer numbers collected and with the 35swimmers who took part at the Rotary Club of Rawalpindi event in Pakistan wehave now (unofficially) more than DOUBLED the current world record of 2533 -with 5107 swimmers now reported!!

Fundraising information from all the local events hasalready reached £30,199 or approximately US $47900

As well as all of the amazing pictures and stories its sowonderful to receive links to video footage to events from all the world

Here's a couple of examples for you to enjoy:

The Rotary Club of Zamboanga City Phillipines who clearly had afantastic atmosphere at their evening event

http://youtu.be/JhgD2TXz4Do

Here's footage from the BBC TV news of our own event

http://youtu.be/JzUZ93QEsC4

SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU"

Paul (RC of Grantham)

Most bang for the buck!

2012-02-27T08:00:00.000+13:00

A District PR Chair reported the following:

"We get most bang with anational campaign and really online growth will be critical.

HOWEVER we should also beconstantly encouraging clubs to be pushing their activities through their localmedia by news stories and using the internet to spread the word throughwhatever tools they have eg website; Linkedin; Facebook; Twitter. When Isay using local media I mean news stories such as this one http://digital.thestar.co.nz/olive/ode/str_daily/

I worked with the club; gavethem contacts and photo ideas – and the story makes front page in a paperthat goes to every house in the city. You can’t buy that kind ofpublicity."

ONE DAY IN WELLINGTON SOUTH – PHOTO SHOOT

2012-02-26T08:00:00.000+13:00

Around 30 photographers willconverge on South Wellington this Saturday (25 February 2012) to shoot anythingand everything that moves, and plenty that doesn’t but just looks good.

It’s for a photo book titled “One Day in South Wellington” which aims todocument the rich landscape, culture, architecture and people of the Capital’sSouth and Eastern suburbs.

Organised by Wellington South Rotary Club, theproject is designed to connect with our local community, celebrate the amazingdiversity of the area, and raise money for charity, with the WellingtonChildren’s Hospital being the main beneficiary.

The book will provide awindow on the wide range of different things that happen on a typical day in atypical community and concentrate heavily on the people who bring the communityto life.

This book will be put on sale to raise funds for charity.

www.wellington-south-rotary.wellington.net.nz/News%20page.html

Rotary rocks!

2012-02-25T08:00:00.000+13:00

I continue to be amazed at the energy, the drive and the creativity of some Rotary Clubs. Your are all encouraged to adopt a signature project which sets you apart from other community groups and increases your profile. Palmerston North is a medium sized city in New Zealand and their Rotary Club is holding a Rotary Youth Music Festival in and aroundthat city on Saturday 3^rd March form 9.30am to 2pm.

"Our Convenor for this project is John Livingstone who has workedtirelessly on this project and supported by a committee of dedicated members", states President David Jopson.

"This is the inaugural Rotary Youth Music Festival and allgoing well it could well become an annual event."

This year’s festival will include 150 musicians from 12Intermediate and High Schools performing at 13 cafes, at St AndrewsPresbyterian Church and in Downtown and the Plaza.

President David states, "The Rotary Club of Palmerston North is proud ofthe work it does for Youth and this is just one of the many Youth Projects thatthis club organises and supports".

More details here .

Rotary on Facebook in New Zealand

2012-02-24T06:52:00.000+13:00

Here are 2 of the 3 Facebook ads that should get put up tomorrow. These will rotate. Our Facebook guru Andrea will monitor these closely and if some are getting more clicks than others she will optimise accordingly. Estimated reach 1,631,900 people who live in New Zealand between the ages of 25 and 54 inclusive.…I can hear the clicks already!

Rotary Lights up the World on its Birthday

2012-02-23T08:16:00.001+13:00

For the past threeyears, Rotary clubs have illuminated landmarks and iconic structures around theworld with the humanitarian group's dramatic pledge to End Polio Now. Thisyear's round of light displays takes on added significance due to the progressRotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have made inIndia. In January, India -- until recently an epicenter of the cripplingchildhood disease -- reached a historic milestone by marking a full yearwithout recording a single new case.

New Zealand Earthquake: 1 Year On

2012-02-22T23:22:00.002+13:00

Aftershocks continue torattle Christchurch

NewZealand’s deadliest natural disaster in 80 years struck Christchurch during itsbusiest hour at lunchtime on 22 February 2011.

For more images click on the photo

The6.3-magnitude earthquake hit just ten kilometers away from the South Islandcity causing significant loss of life, casualties and widespread damage toinfrastructure. Violent aftershocks continued to rattle the stricken city aswell as its 400,000 inhabitants.

For more images click on the ShelterBox

‘Wemay be witnessing New Zealand’s darkest day,’ said the country’s Prime MinisterJohn Key after seeing the scene of utter devastation in the centre ofChristchurch.

ShelterBoxwas able to respond immediately by mobilising a Response Team made up ofShelterBox Response Team (SRT) volunteers from New Zealand. Walter van de Kley(NZ), Arnold Kelly (NZ) and Lyndon Tamblyn (NZ) worked with local authorities,Rotary and emergency services to assess the need for emergency aid.

An ad with real sizzle! Love it!!

2012-02-21T21:30:00.000+13:00

An ad with real sizzle!!
Click above to see more ...

Let's get wet for Polio

2012-02-20T21:22:00.001+13:00

Click the map to see more!!

Wow - the support has grown and we are looking good to have a great 'world-wide' turn out for the Global Swimarathon this weekend. Just look at the support!!

104 events in 23 Countries

Rotary on the move!

2012-02-19T23:05:00.001+13:00

Here is the artwork for our Rotary PR initiative to have a mobile Rotary advertisement on a Wagga based 45ft long-haul truck that will regularly travel the major highways to and from various places in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland over the next 4 years.

The sign has been designed to carry the message about Rotary's campaign to rid the world of Polio and so that a reader can take action to find out more about Rotary. It will also pass the 'readability at 100km per hour' test.

The side curtains for the truck are being purchased and it will take 3-4 weeks for them to be painted and ready for operation. When everything is completed I will send you a photo of the finished job for your PR records and as a partner in this project.

Thanks for your financial support to our District to get a Rotary On the Move message out to the public.

Ian Simpson (Jean)
RotaryDistrict 9700 Governor for 2011-12

We are Rotary

2012-02-19T10:30:00.000+13:00

You're Welcome from Rotary International on Vimeo.

How are you marketing Rotary?

2012-02-18T11:29:00.003+13:00

There's something that all Rotary club members have in common: We take action. As community volunteers, we reach out to neighbors in need. We build, support, and organize. We save lives. We work locally and globally.

Around the world and around the corner, the 1.2 million men and women of Rotary

Get involved in their communities
Connect with other professionals
Share their time and experience with young people
Support global causes, such as eradicating polio
Use their skills to help others

Whether you're a veteran volunteer or new to community service, we're looking for people like you. Answer a few questions and we'll help you get in touch with a club in your community.
Discover the benefits of joining Rotary.

Place this copy on your District or Club web site

Or better still - just

ASK

people you are in contact with if they would care to join your club.

A Club with a Vision

2012-02-16T22:58:00.002+13:00

I spent tonight with a local Rotary Club completing the Club Visioning programme.

Exciting ideas of how they see their Club in 5 year's time.

We have such potential as an organisation and often I think we fail to plan and that is why we see some Clubs fail.

Ideas are brainstormed and then dot-voting highlights
what the majority want to see in the future for their Club

In this case we worked with a strong Club that now have plans to become even stronger through strategic planning and the development of an action plan.

And a major part of their actions will be around a strong Public Image plan.

Young people keen to serve

2012-02-15T22:01:00.000+13:00

This morning at my Club the young person whom we sponsored to attend the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) programme spoke.

'Life changing' 'career defining' 'mentally challenging' 'physically demanding - especially the early mornings!!' were some of his phrases.

"If your goals aren't scary then they're just not big enough"

The organiser has penned a media release which reads:

We,the Rotary Club of (name)/(organisation) have recently sponsored (name) from(place) to attend a Rotary Youth Leadership Programme. This year the five-dayresidential Programme is taking place at the Silverstream Retreat in LowerHutt. (Name) is among a group of 51 young adults, all of whom have beensponsored, either by a Rotary club in the lower North Island, or by anorganisation. The Programme is residential and costs participants nothing.They’re challenged physically and mentally and are exposed to a number of veryhigh profile speakers from the arts, business and Government, all of whom havefocused on the theme of this year of ‘Unleashing your Leadership Potential’.

We’veinvited (name/s) to speak about his/her experiences at our club on (date). We’dlike to invite you to breakfast/lunch/dinner so that you can hear him/her/themspeak and interview him/her/them for an article in your paper. We feel surethat you’ll be blown away by the story s/he’ll/they’ll have to tell you abouthis/her/their experiences at RYLA and the possibilities for personal growththat have been available to him/her/them.

Do we use these opportunities to promote the benefit of Rotary to our young people and the community? We should!!

100 Ways to Celebrate a Rotary Day

2012-02-15T08:00:00.000+13:00

What are you doing to celebrate Rotary's Birthday?

1. Create a giant birthday cake in the shape of a Rotary gearwheel to mark Rotary’s birthday, and invite the community or media to share it.
2. Update your club’s or district’s Web site, blog or social networking page with photos or video from your celebration.
3. Work with your local chamber of commerce to declare a Rotary Day in your town. Publicize the proclamation at schools and businesses, in newspapers, and on Web sites and social networking sites.
4. Conduct a billboard campaign highlighting Rotary’s continued service locally and globally to show the good it has accomplished.
5. Create a Rotary Day podcast with a panel of Rotarians discussing service projects. Post it on your Web site or blog, and send it to your local media.

Click here to read the rest of the 95 ideas - I am sure we can all be doing something to raise the awareness of Rotary in our community on or near 23 February.

What profile boosting is your Club doing?

2012-02-14T08:00:00.000+13:00

The Rotary Club of Port Pirie will beconducting Shopping Centre Displays on Thu 23^rd February at the Centro Plaza,Port Pirie and on Fri 24^th February at the Ellen Centre, Port Pirieas part of our “A Week for Rotary” promotion.

We will be arranging for media coveragein the local newspaper and hopefully in the local Southern Cross TV news.

PDG Dick and Howard ask: "Send contributions (from around the world) on what promotional activities you have planned around 23 Feb so we can share our Public Image ideas through this Blog." Email them here ...

Rotary hits national media

2012-02-12T21:30:00.001+13:00

Major media campaign gets underway in Zone 7b (New Zealand)

Television 12 February – 30 March (TV3)

Radio 19 February – 30 March

Billboards 4 March – 6 May

Online Marketing 19 February – 25 March

See PR Grant tab on this Blog for more details

Let's market our KEY MESSAGES

2012-02-12T08:00:00.000+13:00

Rotary Key Messages

Rotary is a global network of business and professional leaders.
Rotary’s 1.2 million women and men of Rotary belong to more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas.
As volunteers, Rotary members have been serving the needs of communities worldwide since 1905.
Rotary is one of the largest international humanitarian service organizations in the world.
Through volunteer service, the women and men of Rotary build friendships and enlarge their circle of business and professional acquaintances.
Participating in international service projects allows Rotary members to connect with people from around the world and promote cross-cultural understanding.
Rotary clubs are nonpolitical and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.

How can I not be a member of this organisation?

The power of social networks makes Rotary fly

2012-02-11T08:00:00.000+13:00

Thank you to all those at United -- including President and CEO Jeff Smisek -- for their generosity and the opportunity to participate in United's 10 Million Charity Miles Giveaway. And thank you to everyone who voted for us. We couldn't have done it without your participation and persistence.

For the miles giveaway, we officially came in second place and will receive 2,488,070 charity miles from United. Rotarians will use the miles for humanitarian missions, such as transporting sick children to hospitals.

Although the giveaway wasn't announced in advance, Rotarians and friends of Rotary quickly and enthusiastically got the word out through social media, and we went from 18th place to second place. This enabled us to receive a larger portion of the 10 million airline miles that United was donating. In addition, we congratulate the Shriners, who took first place.

Read more about Rotary's social networks.

Federation Square Lights Up to “End Polio Now”

2012-02-10T08:00:00.000+13:00

Federation Square Lights Up to “End Polio Now” (25th, 26th and 27th February 2012)
Melbourneʼs Federation Square with its wide piazza and striking architecture is one of Australiaʼs most iconic buildings. This February 25th it will join other iconic buildings around the world to be illuminated to celebrate Rotaryʼs signature “End Polio Now” campaign. The illumination will run from 25th to 27th of February.

One wall of the square has a giant video screen and onto this backdrop will be projected an “End Polio Now “ image together with other Rotary messages. Simultaneously, video images and graphics will be shown on the video screen - providing additional visual impact. The video information stream will last about 20 minutes and will be on a loop so it will then start screening again.

The video screen information will continue to be shown during the daytime further promoting what Rotary has achieved with its “End Polio Now” Campaign. At night in addition to the image wall and the video presentation, the other buildings in the square will be floodlit with the red of the “End Polio Now” logo.

At 8.30pm on 25th February there will be a “switching-on ceremony”. Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has been invited to “flick the switch” and everyone is invited to be there. This major Australian city will be featuring on Rotaryʼs world stage. Please tell all your friends and show your pride in what Rotary has achieved on its journey to eradicate Polio.

PDF article here ....

Martians and Venusians in the Workplace

2012-02-09T08:00:00.000+13:00

Kerry Kornhauser , President of the Rotary Club of Albert Park writes:

"I received the attached letter in the mail today from the Governor General, which I thought I would share with you.
It is very exciting that Rotary is being recognized by the Governor General herself.
As you know we now have a website www.rotarywomen.org.au which will open the doors and conversation for many more women to join Rotary.
I also received an email today, from John Smarge Rotary International Director 2010-2012 Chair, RI Executive Committee 2011-2012 discussing the difficult issues they are facing in the US with Women in Rotary…pleased that we are taking the lead in this area… which is very exciting for Australia and New Zealand
I have attached our flyer for the Women’s International Day Breakfast 8 March…it now talks!

The Governor General's letter...

Fiji flooding with Rotary on the spot

2012-02-08T08:00:00.000+13:00

From the NGO Disaster Relief (NDRF) web site:

NDRF agencies are responding to the crisis in a variety of ways

Rotary NZ

Photo taken from Stuff.co.nz. A roundabout in Denarau, Fiji.
Vikki Allan.

In the past week, over a thousand people in areas devastated by floods in Nadi, Lautoka, and Ba have received assistance from Rotary Clubs in Fiji. 120 Emergency Response Kits (ERK’s) worth about FJ$90,000, and about 400 food packs worth about FJ$14,000 have been distributed so far. Each food pack contains basic food items to last a family of four for a week. Over 400 pieces of clothing has also been distributed.

Assistant District Governor, Shaheen Asgar says “Rotary teams in Nadi and Lautoka have done a fantastic job to bring relief to hundreds of families whose lives have been devastated by the floods. There is still a great deal more work to be done, and Rotary in Fiji with the support of New Zealanders are accepting the challenge.”

Rotary in Fiji is currently exploring what it can do to reduce the amount of people and municipalities adversely affected by floods in the long term.
For the full article ...

Rotary assists 1000 victims

ROTARY clubs have assisted more than 1000 people in flood-affected areas in the Western Division.

The clubs gave out 120 emergency response kits worth about $90,000 and about 400 food packs worth about $14,000 to affected families in Nadi, Lautoka and Ba.

Apart from food packs which will last a family of four for about one week, Rotary clubs also distributed clothes.

A statement from Rotary International said Rotary Club of Lautoka president Rick Eyre and Rotary Club of Nadi president Sanjit Patel and their club members had been working hard to assess needs for assistance and to get the supplies to the needy.

Foe the full article from Fiji Times ...

Doing Good in the World - a great message

2012-02-07T08:00:00.000+13:00

Why not put this video on your web site, send the link to those interested in Rotary or even show it to your members at a future meeting. Even Rotarians need to be reminded of what wonderful work the Foundation does.

Doing Good:Intro

Those Teardrops are popping up everywhere!

2012-02-06T17:20:00.000+13:00

A display of the Emergency Response Kits at the
Martinborough Fair this weekend

Rotary Dist. 9940 ERK Convenor Dave Wilson& RC of Eastern Hutt Member David Gledhill on duty.

Winds of Change - Melbourne

2012-02-06T08:00:00.000+13:00

For more than 100 years, business and professional leaders have been coming together in Rotary clubs around the world to help people in need. Rotary’s aim is to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through the improvement of health and education and the fight against poverty.
The first Rotary club in Australia was formed in Melbourne in 1921 and next month Melbourne will host the local Rotary’s 80th annual conference from March 9-12.
Bringing together Rotarians, community partners, socially responsible corporates and the public, the conference will highlight the vision and inspiring work of modern Rotary clubs in sessions featuring many of Australia’s most sought-after speakers.
The conference will provide a platform for the sharing of ideas to solve social issues in a vibrant atmosphere of fellowship and fun.

An advertorial feature appeared in the Melbourne Age (perhaps Australia’s mostfamous daily newspaper) on 2 February!

Click here to see this fantastic lift out - a wonderful example of using the local media contacts to promote our fine work

Social Media Poll

2012-02-05T09:00:00.003+13:00

A new Blog survey - simply answer the question:

I use the following weekly:

Email
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
Google+

The poll is on the right hand side of this Home page >>>>>

Humanity in Motion - Service above Self

2012-02-04T08:00:00.000+13:00

A significant Rotary Event - The first doctor since the 1980's for the people of the Trobriand Islands - population of 40,000. Many lives will be saved - Humanity in Motion.

Two Rotarians who work tirelessly with RotaryAustralia World Community Service Ltd (RAWCS) on overseas projects wererecognised with Order of Australia Medals on Australia Day this week.

They are Daryl Mills (R/C Dili, East TimorD9550) and Wendy Stein (R/C Salamander Bay D9670) for outstanding services tothe International Community through Rotary.

You may read more on Facebook page Rotary AustraliaWorld Community Service and see some of Wendy Stein’s work on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lM4CYwlepU

Also RobPennicott was amongst the State finalists for the Australian of the Year Award(which went to actor Geoffrey Rush). See the tribute to Rob of Facebook Page RotaryDistrict 9500 South Australia.

[Contributed by Geoff Ellershaw - PP R/C of Woodville South Australia]

Rotary take action in flood-stricken Fiji

2012-02-03T08:00:00.001+13:00

Help is alreadyreaching Fijian villages due in part to the efforts of Rotary clubs in NewZealand and Fiji who have sent emergency relief kits and money to buy food andother supplies.

Members ofRotary clubs from Suva and Lautoka have been distributing the kits and foodsupplies to some of the worst affected villages around Nadi and in the westernpart of the main island of Vita Levu.

Food shortage is a major issue in Fiji in the wake of the week’sfloods, and Rotary is appealing for funds to buy supplies. $NZ40 willbuy a food parcel for a family.

Some of thereports coming back from the Rotary teams active on the ground are heartrending, says District Governor Alan Eyes whose Rotary area includes the SouthPacific.

“The Rotariansin Fiji are doing a tremendous job assisting families very badly affected bythe flooding. Those in the West are out there delivering the aid – food,clothing, and Rotary’s emergency response kits (ERKs)

“There are sometremendous stories of need and compassion coming through in emails and photos.

“Food is a major issue.Fiji Rotary clubs have already donated $6,000 for food parcels which are beingsourced and distributed to those in need in the west.

For more information ...

Food shortage is a major issue in Fiji in the wake of this week’s floods

Let's fly the flag for Rotary

2012-02-02T08:00:00.000+13:00

Orders are being placed and Clubs are encouraged to buy them in District 9940 and will get one free - subsidized by the District.

The vision: To have all Clubs flying the same flag portraying the same message across New Zealand - and then perhaps across Australia - why not the world!

Our image - our responsibility

2012-02-01T08:00:00.000+13:00

“Public is aware of Rotary, but unsure of what we do”

Do your friends and co-workers know that you're a Rotarian? Do you tell acquaintances about your club's good works in the community or internationally?

Did you know that talking about your involvement in Rotary could significantly enhance the organization's image and boost public awareness? It’s up to every Rotarian to tell the world what Rotary is and does.

According to a public image survey commissioned by Rotary International in 2010, people are much more likely to know about Rotary and perceive it positively as a charitable organization if they personally know a Rotarian.

RI commissioned the survey of 1,000 individuals in each of six countries -- Argentina, Australia, Germany, Japan, South Africa, and the United States -- to gauge the general public's awareness and perception of the organization. The results are consistent with those of a similar survey conducted in 2006: While respondents had heard of Rotary, they did not know much about what it does.

23 February - let's get out there!!

2012-01-31T08:00:00.000+13:00

What is your Club panning to do around the birthday of Rotary on 23 February?

Have a read. This is the approach of District 9500 - a Week 4 Rotary - love it!!

A Public Awareness programme with some excellent examples of activities all Clubs can put into place.

Take a look here ...

This Close in India!

2012-01-30T08:00:00.000+13:00

Read the Press Release here - and share in your community - links to other languages are below...

EN: http://bit.ly/yIfFlG

ES: http://bit.ly/A4KZKu

PT:http://bit.ly/zRBHGl

FR: http://bit.ly/wLbaYR

IT: http://bit.ly/yF9IIq

DE: http://bit.ly/w6SW3C

KO: http://bit.ly/wa2fiz

JA: http://bit.ly/zjobDZ

5 priorities for strengthening Rotary’s image

2012-01-29T10:36:00.000+13:00

RI General Secretary John Hewko spelled out
five priorities for strengthening the organization
during the fifth plenary session of the International
Assembly. Rotary Images/Monika Lozinska

A number of major initiatives are underway that will help Rotary International’s professional staff, the Secretariat, be a more effective, efficient, and useful resource for clubs and districts.

Addressing the fifth plenary session of the International Assembly, an annual training event for incoming district leaders, RI General Secretary John Hewko spelled out five priorities for strengthening the organization, ones he said would put Rotary on the best footing possible as it begins its second century.

“Rotary is an organization with an incredible history and there is no question that its best years are yet to come,” Hewko said. “These five priorities, as well as many others, will strengthen our great organization and have a significant, positive impact down to the level of the club and individual Rotarian.”
RI general secretaryoutlines five priorities for strengthening Rotary’s image, reach

RI General Secretary Hewko Addresses International Assembly from Rotary International on Vimeo.

"Rotary is an organization with an incredible history, and there is no question that its best years are yet to come."

Our image must have faces!

2012-01-27T08:30:00.000+13:00

What makes for asuccessful media campaign? I believe that faces are soimportant. If Rotary is to communicate effectively there is the need tohave a 'face' - Use ones that show emotion, positive experiences, enjoyment and a message of purpose and energy.

Are we perceived by what graphics we use in the media? Is it vibrant and with a purpose of attracting people wanting to be surrounded by others with a vision of what the world can become though selfless service?

Get that camera going!