Club Tools at the District

Too often Rotary fails to tell our local communities and those organizations we support what Rotary is all about. To those clubs that have developed a key group to “Shout IT from the Roof Tops” – congratulations! To the rest of us, what are we waiting for – it is up to us to learn how to use the modern tools we have available. The good work of Rotary is just too important not to be SHOUTED ABOUT.

RI President Gary Huang (2014-2015) had a perfect theme “LIGHT UP ROTARY.” He understood that Rotary must let our communities, local and internationally, know all of our good work. Good work might be picking up litter on the sides of the roads, reading to our elementary students, sitting with a patient in hospice or managing a fundraiser to earn the revenue for the next club’s project. Whatever your club is excited about “LIGHT IT UP” or Shout about IT.

 

Ever find out you don’t have a speaker! Yikes! Never let it happen! The Albion Rotary, where I am a member has had a speaker for every meeting of our 93 years; it is the apex of pride that our members and guests will always have an interesting speaker. BUT IF, reach out, that is what your district is really good at; we have expert speakers who (notice is good) will gladly speak at your club’s meeting to bring you the most up to date information on one of the five avenues of service or Rotary in general – both to your club and to the public. Don’t be shy, it only takes a few minutes for you to source the right person. Here is how: go to www.Rotary7090.org, scroll down, and keep scrolling, almost there…to the heading – District Info, see Organization. There are dozens of Rotarians who will come or help you find someone. Once you choose the avenue and name, click and it will open to a message box. Build it right into your annual program schedule to have a guest Rotary speaker at least quarterly.

 

Are you still unsure of how to make use of your District? You need to establish the process for using Rotary resources, as well as, Face Book / Social Media to promote your events and brag about what good work your club is undertaking. By doing it in a coordinated fashion your club will soon be friends with people who you may not know personally, however they may be like us and want to give back and you have just shown them the way…join Rotary or be a friend of Rotary and help out on a project where they are passionate  to start. The Holley Club ran out of beef at their Beefeaters Dinner when they used Facebook to expand their market, first time ever.

 

The District’s “Best Practices” started a couple of years, as an Assistant Governor project when we were sharing all these club accolades. It just keeps growing, all good stuff. This living document is only as good as the information that the clubs and the AG share for input. We do not judge your best practices against anyone else’s. Your club decides what you consider a club best practice. Send your submission by email to marlee@d7090.org. District Best Practices is on the District web site at http://www.Rotary7090.org or simply Google it.

 

We know our Assistant Governors are one of our District’s best practices. They are the clubs first line of an access to District leaders ensuring you have the answers and assistance when you need it. A great place to self-promote is at your bi-monthly Area meetings; clubs should support others’ events.  

 

Our District has participated in the RI public relations grant for the past several years with many clubs benefitting from our Director of PR, Paul McAfee, helping clubs learn to use Facebook and other social media venues. It is with regret Rotary International has no ongoing PR grant available for the upcoming year. It is recommended that each club allow for some expenditures in their budgets to promote club events and be the starting point to pique the interest of potential members. Together District 7090 can show case our “good works” to the world through our use of social media.

 

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