Press release
When President Wilkinson visits your club, you can send to the local media the below press release (or download the Word version).
Rotary International president to highlight [describe the achievements of the Rotary Club of {name}]
(City, Country) – The president of Rotary International, one of the world’s largest service organizations, will commend the work of the Rotary Club of (name of club and project). Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, a chartered accountant from Ontario, Canada, took office on 1 July as president of Rotary International, a volunteer service organization with more than 1.2 million members worldwide.
[Insert further description of local project example or relevant event information if applicable. If the president will be visiting a local project, include that information.]
A Rotary member since 1962, Wilkinson is dedicated to the global effort to eradicate polio, Rotary’s top priority. He has traveled around the world, including Pakistan’s rugged Khyber Pass, to immunize children against the crippling disease. Since the launch of Rotary’s PolioPlus program in 1985, Rotary members have helped to immunize more than 2 billion children in 122 countries, and have contributed about US$616 million and countless volunteer hours to the cause. Rotary is a spearheading partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, along with the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In addition to polio eradication, Wilkinson will emphasize three other major humanitarian issues: literacy, hunger and health relief, and clean water. During his one-year term, Wilkinson will encourage Rotary clubs around the world to partner with local governments and nongovernmental organizations to initiate projects that improve literacy rates, improve health facilities and provide sustainable sources of food and clean water to communities in developing countries.