Just older and wiser!

Well - how about some entertainment before our birthday tomorrow.  We often say we need to update our image, we need to market to a new group of potential Rotarians and we need to think about our relevancy.  Well just look at this. 

Same message - same group - just older and wiser!

Whose father was the lead singer of the Diamonds circa 1957?

Who knew! And hasn’t he aged well.  Tom Hanks father - this is amazing!!!

This is so great. I didn't know Tom Hanks’ father was the lead singer of the Diamonds.

THIS WILL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE,

If you were alive in 1957, and old enough to enjoy Rock and Roll, you will probably remember the group, "The Diamonds"  who had just launched their super hit "Little Darlin' ".

For you that are too young to remember - it was a time when the performers were happy, enjoying themselves, respecting their fans, dressed appropriately and their lyrics could be understood.

They did not feel obligated to scream, eat the microphone, mumble inaudible lyrics or trash the set.  In 1957, The Diamonds had a hit with "Little Darlin". 47 years later, they were requested to perform at Atlantic City ...

This link leads to both performances.

Watch the first one then scroll down for the new one 47 years later.

In the linked videos Tom Hank's father is the lead singer on the left with the high-pitched voice. He still has it! Hope you enjoy.

47 years apart 2 Performances  --

Click here to Compare "The Diamonds" singing Little darlin' from 1957 to 2004

Fun and energy down South

Mayor Tim Shadbolt - known for his
energuy and humour

This Friday Jenny and I head on down to Invercargill - a city tucked into the southern most part of New Zealand.  Mayor Tim Shadbolt is a colourful character and has done much to raise the profile of this city with his humour and energy.  Come to think of it, is this what can raise the profile of Rotary?  
The fun and humour we enjoy is contagious.  This is the very substance of the enjoyment we receive amongst like-minded people every time we meet.  And energy is only present in a group of Rotarians when they have a purpose and a focus - especially with community centered projects.

Southland here we come

It will be fun going to Institute.  It will be even greater fun meeting up with many dear friends.  Finally the energy we will gain as we meet up with our future leaders incoming RI President Ron Burton will be not only enjoyable, but will also raise the profile of Rotary in New Zealand.

Public Image presentations will be made at both Institute and Governor Elect Training sessions.

Use your Public Image Coordinator

For all those Districts with planning in place for the next Rotary year, remember this!

Each Zone has a Rotary Public Image Coordinator who is available to assist in presentations, training and advice when you hold your President Elect training and also for Conference and District Assembly gatherings.

RPIC's Philip Archer (Zone 8)  and Howard Tong (Zone 7b)

To find your local one click here....


Rotary public image coordinators (RPICs) provide guidance and resources on effective public relations to enhance Rotary's public image. The 49 RPICs work in partnership with their zone's RI director, regional Rotary Foundation coordinator, Rotary coordinator, and district governors.
RPICs have professional expertise in public relations, journalism, or communications. They support the RI Strategic Plan by conveying the methods of effective public relations to district leaders.

Connecting - are we?

In Rotary there is much effort being put into advertising campaigns.  We have the wonderful support from Rotary International in providing grants to assist in this marketing.  We have the social media tools which in some Clubs and Districts are being well used.  We use banners and high visibility clothing in some places and we are starting to pick up our game with appointing PR-focused members to look out for opportunities.
And then on the other hand we have a wonderful story.  Our activity in the community and around the world speaks volumes about the passion and the generosity of our volunteers.  We change lives, we save lives and we are doing so with sustainable projects that reach out into our community.

But are we connecting?

We have the marketing methods on one hand and we have a powerful message to tell.  But are we effectively communicating this message to those in our target audience who also want to give back to the community?  To improve our efforts in attracting new members to Rotary we need to connect.  We need to connect people with people.  We need to connect our story to individuals through effective marketing and effective public relations.  To do this we need to re-examine what we are (or in cases what we are not) doing.

Training in your Club, evaluating what you are doing and examining and adopting those methods working elsewhere in Rotary are key steps that any Club can take.  Let's examine those Clubs that are growing.  Those Clubs who are attracting new members and identify what it is that is allowing them to 'connect'.

Are we connecting?  I suggest in most cases we are not doing as well as we can.  We have a wonderful story but if we neglect our 'story-telling' we run the risk of self-extinction.

Rotary public image coordinators

RPICs assembled in Chicago earlier this year for training

Rotary public image coordinators (RPICs) provide guidance and resources on effective public relations to enhance Rotary's public image. The 49 RPICs work in partnership with their zone's RI director, regional Rotary Foundation coordinator, Rotary coordinator, and district governors.
RPICs have professional expertise in public relations, journalism, or communications. They support the RI Strategic Plan by conveying the methods of effective public relations to district leaders.
RPICs

• Increase recognition of Rotary's humanitarian efforts among Rotarians and the general public
• Communicate Rotary's success stories to the media, local government officials, civic leaders, and communities
• Provide counsel on public relations grants
• Assist and offer training at governors-elect training seminars and zone and district seminars
• Foster a regionally appropriate approach to Rotary's public image efforts

Contact an RPIC (PDF).

"Taking off" with Public Image

Front Row: Kaye Clarke,   Ross Brown, RPIC Howard Tong, DG Roger Miller,
Back Row: David Hulme, DGN Paul Wright, Jock McIntyre,
Cheryl McGregor, DGE Russell Turner (Absent - Kim Livingstone)

Yesterday I was invited to attend a workshop in District 9930 by Governor Roger Miller.  This was an opportunity to look afresh at the steps being taken to connect with their community.  Around the table were Rotarians who have recently joined to those who have spent many years serving their community.  From PR professionals, marketers, newspaper journalists to those involved in local economic development.  This was a group focused at looking how better to promote the image of Rotary in their District.  Also joining the group were the District Governor Elect and Nominee.  The outcome has been for the group to commit to meet on a regular basis to further explore opportunities and to map out an action plan that will link into the work of the multi-District communication group who assist Governors to implement their PR Grant programme.  It is encouraging to see D9930 harness the knowledge and professional skills of their District to focus on how to work for a common goal in the marketing of the wonderful work of their District members.
Exciting stuff! Oh yes, and we met in the newly dedicated 'Rotary Room' at the Classic Flyers facility in Tauranga.  This District is ready to 'take off'.

Why not join me?

PR Grants - Making a Comprehensive PR Plan
       

Guest presenter: RPIC, PDG (2010-11) Howard Tong from New Zealand will speak about how the districts in New Zealand develop their PR plans, and the role PR Grants play in making them a success.
                                                                               

Register for a session now by clicking a date below:

Tue, Sep 4, 2012 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CDT
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/659931560
                                                                                           
Mon, Sep 10, 2012 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CDT
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/595413929

Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration with information you need to join the Webinar.

Logo or faces?

I read this today:

"So the next time you are trying to decide what image you want to present, stop to consider who you are marketing to. Logos are great, if you are only promoting your company and brand. If you are your company and brand, including your own photo is just as important as a logo as far as impact and impression for the public perception. A good way to tie it all together is to have an “About” page on your website that includes not only information about what you offer and who you are, but images of you, your company and anything else that your business followers might benefit from knowing."

The results of our measurement with last year's Face Book advertising campaign was very interesting and certainly supports this claim.

Of the two images below - which received more clicks?

This and other information will be presented in the PR Grant webinar 4 and 10 September.  See previous posting to join others.

Your regional coordinator team - here to help

Click to read more

Take advantage of their expertise and resources to help your club succeed.
Did you know that you have a team of experts available to help answer questions related to strengthening your club, increasing humanitarian service, and enhancing Rotary’s public image?
Your regional coordinator team is made up of a Rotary coordinator, Regional Rotary Foundation coordinator, and Rotary public image coordinator, each selected for their professional expertise and specific Rotary knowledge.
Full list of coordinators are listed in the Rotary on the Move newsletter - click on the graphic or here .....

Here is the link to the August Rotary on the Move Newsletter for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands. If you have an interest in strengthening and growing the membership of Rotary and wish to receive future editions please e-mail n.trevaskis@bigpond.com asking to be added to the recipients list.

Noel Trevaskis - Rotary Coordinator 2011-2014

The Power of a Profile

Otaki Rotarians are active and visible in their community

Otaki President Carol Ward reports:

"Howard Tong, Past District Governor, joined us for the evening & spoke about his time with Rotary (“just a member” for 15 years, becoming more involved by then going to conferences, being club President, accepting positions at District level, then District Governor etc.) and went on to talk about the “Power of P”. There were too many to list here & you will have heard them yourselves, but some were:

• Power in working together
• Profile of Rotary
• Raising Perception
• Privileged to be part of Rotary
• Proud (of Otaki’s Vision, Plan & Putting in place)
• Peace Scholars
• Polio eradication – just a little to go

And an important message for all of us – it is up to us to ensure we increase our membership & ensure the future of Rotary in Otaki. Do people in Otaki really know what we do? Do not assume we know if someone wants to be a member, ASK people if they are interested in joining us and take it from there."

Adding to our reputation - good PR

An idea becomes a real image booster!

Click to read the article

A little initiative, a 50th milestone, a few contacts in the right places, some support from local businesses and you end up with an excellent way to promote the image of Rotary in your community.

Click to see the article

President Kylie writes:

Well, it’s certainly been a full on year. Having a baby at the start of my presidency was somewhat challenging but I got through it with help from my fellow Rotarians. It has been a pleasure to lead such a dynamic team of individuals who donate so much of their time to helping others. I joined Rotary when I was 24 years old and was really impressed with Porirua Sundown and the projects it took on, and the members who are just wonderful and diverse. Our Rotary club has done amazing things for people and organisations in the community. In the last 12 months I’d have to say my personal favourite moment would be gifting Rotary dictionaries to Porirua school kids in April. I would like to pass on my thanks and gratitude for the support of my husband, friends and fellow Rotarians for a great presidential year.

Our message must say what we do!

Audiences want what Rotary offers. We just need to help them understand.

        Siegel+Gale’s research with donors showed 19 shared global motivators. Thing like “transparency” and “attracting people of the highest ethical standards.” Things like “helping me feel like part of something meaningful” and a “long track record of success.” Things we’re good at and some things we could do better.

        Understanding however is a hurdle.

        With every organization there is a gap between what internal audiences know and what external audiences know. Research shows that Rotary’s gap is two to three times larger than average. Obviously, this is not a good position and underscores the importance of clarity and focus as critical components of our future success.

 

Let's get serious aboout Public Relations

Most of the news and information you see on the TV news or in the daily newspaper is generated by people just like you. They send information to the media, usually via news releases and personal contact. The best media outlets won't run your news releases verbatim, but they will use the information from them, supplemented with a call to you or a spokesperson.

Here are 10 tips for getting your organization noticed by your local media.  Read more .....

1. Get to know the media that are most likely to cover you.
2. Learn the names of the reporters who cover the beats most significant to you.
3. Get to know reporters personally.
4. Send complimentary copies of your publications to reporters.
5. Keep up with the personnel changes at your favourite media outlets.
6. Always give the media information that is newsworthy.
7. Develop a "virtual" media kit that resides on your organisation's website.
8. Take advantage of breaking news stories to promote your organization.
9. Make yourself available to the media at any time.
10. Always thank a reporter for his or her coverage.

The fight is on to completely eliminate polio from the planet

Rotary is continuing the fight against polio and the media need to spread the word.

Rotarians - tell your other Rotarian friends and tell your community.

We are 'this close' to stamping out polio and need a concerted effort to finish the job!

View more here

The world needs to know!

A water project - let's turn on the tap!!

Posted on my Facebook page today!

From RI:  Take a look at the fantastic global team already assembled to support this event! http://www.rotaryglobalrun4water.org/about/

 

 

 What can we do?

First:  Decide to act!  Get involved!  Encourage your Club to have a Water Project.

Second:  Link into this global initiative - and raise money by creating a community event.  It will increase member engagement; enhance the profile of your Club in the community; add to the efforts of so many others who see the value of clean water

Third:  Get other Clubs involved!!  This is an exciting initiative - with many positives and people willing to give advice on possible water projects.  Spread the word.  

And now on Rotary Showcase!!

Have these in your pocket!

How can Rotary stay relevant to younger members? Hear answers from Rotarians to this question and others in Rotary Minute, a series of short videos, now available on iTunes through a free podcast subscription.

How many times has a colleague, friend, or new contact asked you what Rotary is? If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can now respond by showing a one-minute video that explains Rotary in the words of everyday Rotarians.  

Rotary Minute is a series of videos featuring Rotary club members from around the world discussing a variety of topics, such as “How have you benefited from being a Rotarian?” In addition to being available on Vimeo, Rotary Minute is now offered through a free podcast subscription on iTunes.