Promote Rotary through signature activities

Rotary International News -- 8 June 2011

The Rotary clubs of Churchland-Portsmouth and Portsmouth, Virginia, USA, hold a barbecue networking event each year as their signature event. Photo courtesy of Bill Pollard

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The Rotary clubs of Churchland-Portsmouth and Portsmouth, Virginia, USA, hold a barbecue networking event every year, full of food, refreshments, and live entertainment.

According to Bill Pollard, a member of the Churchland-Portsmouth club, thousands of people attend the event, with each club netting about US$10,000 to support local projects and programs.

The Rotary Club of Calcutta Uptown, West Bengal, India, is best known for helping provide eye care, computer centers for youth, and improved sanitation in rural areas of the Bengal region.

Many Rotary clubs are known in their communities for one big project or event that sets them apart from other groups. Whether it's an annual dinner that raises funds for polio eradication, or a park clean-up, your club's signature project or fundraiser can help promote Rotary's public image as an action-oriented service organization.

"Several small projects leave no mark, but one larger project leaves a signature," notes RI Vice President Thomas M. Thorfinnson. "A great way to promote Rotary's image is to have a significant project or a significant fundraiser that is a very public event in your community and to do that event or fundraiser consistently over the years."

The Rotary Club of Kenosha West, Wisconsin, USA, holds an annual sports tournament to raise money for the club's charities. This highly anticipated event involves youth from the entire community. The club promotes the tournament prominently on its website and includes videos from previous years. The club's online membership directory, which includes photos, shows many members in their tournament uniforms.

Here are a few tips on how to create a signature activity. Also check out what other Rotarians have had to say on the topic in Your Voice, Your Solution.

Identify. Decide on a public event and its purpose, such as to raise funds for The Rotary Foundation or to involve members of the community in a local service project.
Publicize. Include your Rotary club or district in the name of the event, following the RI guidelines for using the Rotary Marks. Use social media and press releases to publicize your event and the work of Rotary and build interest and excitement.
Connect. Assign club members to help answer questions about the Rotary club and its projects during the event to form connections with the general public. Distribute take-away information such as What's Rotary? as well as pamphlets or business cards linking to your club's website.
Repeat. Hold the event annually to build recognition. As awareness grows, more community members will participate and the event will become increasingly successful. You may even attract new members to your club.

30 Comments:

At 9:31AM on 27 June 2012, Bassey Ekanem wrote: Rotary club of Uyo holds a christmas party in December every year in which children are presented with gift by Santa Claus.

At 10:25AM on 25 July 2011, Chinwe Bello wrote: The Rotary Club of Trans-Amadi Portharcourt in district 9140 started an annual spelling bee competition for secondary schools in Rivers state, Nigeria. An event that will help improve students' spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English usage. Cash grants, dictionaries and other books are donated to the winners and winning schools at every stage of the competition.

At 12:07PM on 11 July 2011, rey dato-on wrote: Hi Everyone! Our Club, Rotary Club of Marikina South, Philippines (District 3800) will stage our very first signature activity by January 2012. The project name is "Special Olympics for Gifted Children". We hope to foster a sense of belonging to these children in the community where they belong. Develop their self-confidence, improve their rotor skills and most importantly make them feel that they are very much loved. Hopefully we can push through with this signature activity by the help of generous sponsors that we will partner with.

At 10:32AM on 20 June 2011, Sayeed A. Chaudhury wrote: We, the Rotary Club of Sonargaon Dhaka,(RCSD) claim as well as widely acclaimed by others, that we are the one of the most vibrant Clubs of the RI District 3280, Bangladesh. During the year 2010-11 we conducted a campaign of free screening for uterine cancer among the mostly slum women of the project area where 3% were tested positive. We are following up & contributing for their treatment. Our other noteworthy project is rectifying the cleft lip of children & others. There is total of 300,000 people suffering from cleft lip and our club RCSD intend to do this every year. These 2 projects are our 'signature' projects.

At 3:15PM on 17 June 2011, Ken Thompson wrote: The Slidell Heritage Festival is a July 4th celebration that the Rotary Clubs of Slidell Northshore and Slidell (Louisiana, USA) have sponsored annually since 1998 (with a two year break for Hurricane Katrina). With bands, fireworks, food, and children's activities, the festival attracts 7,000 attendees and donates $50,000 to local charities annually

At 8:47AM on 16 June 2011, Lisa Thompson wrote: The Rotary Club of Meriwether County Georgia District 6900, Home of the FDR Little Whitehouse and the Roosevelt Institute gathers twice a year to sell footLong hotdogs, freshly made candied apples and lemonaide at the "Famous" Cotton Pickin' Fair in Gay Georgia. Each year people from our surrounding area flock to this festival and head for the big Rotary booth for our footlong hotdogs smothered in home made coleslaw and chili. In October we hold a car show that brings people from all over the southern region to beautiful Manchester Georgia to show off their antique cars, hotrods, modified cars and beautiful motorcycles. Each event allows our small club of 25 members the opportunity to raise funds to help local, regional, national and international projects.

At 9:36AM on 13 June 2011, Bill Pollard wrote: On Wednesday June 15, 2011 the Rotary Clubs of Portsmouth and Churchland (VA) will hold their 29th Annual Rotary BBQ

At 2:56PM on 10 June 2011, Rick Berchin wrote: The Alamo Heights Rotary Club in San Antonio Texas just completed its 25th Annual Signature Event: Alamo Heights Night. The event started as a large block party for the neighborhood, with games, rides, food, and entertainment. This well known and respected family oriented event has grown over the years and now averages 9000-12,000 and has allowed the club to raise almost $2,000,000 for scholarships, community service projects and charitable giving. See www.alamoheightsnight.org.

At 9:07AM on 29 March 2011, Rtn Dr Sunil Richardson wrote: RC of Nagercoil, a 62 year old club has been doing the signature project of cleft ilp and palate for the last 6 years.Patients with this deformity have been located from various southern indian districts for free treatment.More than 4000 surgeries have been performed so far and the project is still going on strong.

At 8:54AM on 14 February 2011, PP Juzer Mohamedali wrote: Rotary Club of arusha Mt meru raised over usd $ 10000 on 12th feb 2011 for end poli now campaign..its a great great achivement as we are one of the poorest countriies in the world

At 12:14PM on 3 December 2010, PDG Bill Crawford wrote: Our Rotary club has a Christmas Party each and every year, at which we provide a meal and Ice cream, a special visit from Santa Claus, and toys and winter clothing for children who might not receive any gifts or new clothing without the communities Rotarians.

At 9:36AM on 23 November 2010, Jeremiah wrote: Rotary is a platform for chang in multi/dimensional ways

At 9:19AM on 25 October 2010, AC Peter,National Coordinator India, Gift of Life program wrote: Rotary Club of Delhi East End is known for its signature project "GIFT OF LIFE" - for saving lives, building peace and strengthening Rotary image. AC Peter,National Coordinator India, Gift of Life program

At 10:50AM on 11 October 2010, Rtn Dr S R Singh, RC Lucknow, RID 3120 wrote: RC Lucknow,Club no.15444,a 73 year old Club is one of he oldest Clubs of North India . The Club has been organising "Rotary Diwali Mela" for the last so many years for PR and Public Image . In Rotary Year 2009-2010 this programme was awarded for best PR in the RI Dist 3120. This year the "Rotary Diwali Mela" is going to be organised on 23rd and 24th October 2010.This is a most awaited event of the city. This is also a major Fund Raising Programm of the Club.

At 10:38AM on 8 October 2010, Gaurav Ahuja wrote: Rotary Club of Delhi VASANT VALLEY (Distt 3010) is always a synonym to HUMANITARIAN CONTIBUTIONS. Till date we were working on Blood Donation Programs with much efficiency and dedication but now we've added a VALUE STAR in this by starting ORGAN DONATION program in this year under the leadership of our President Rtn Rajesh Goyal ji. We will also move forward to other avenues of service and also try to make this club platform a best available resource for Professional networking along with the service to Society concept.

At 9:17AM on 5 October 2010, Ric Salvador, Chair of Club Admin wrote: We would like to think that our relatively new club, RC Holy Spirit of District 3780 in Quezon City Philippines, is viewed in its host community for its ability to partner with organizations such as the local government, homeowners’ groups, volunteer & donor organizations, and other Rotary Clubs in the delivery of visible and highly appreciated service projects such as medical missions, anti-tuberculosis in children campaign, anti-rabies pet vaccinations, gift-giving, milk-feeding for malnourished pupils, and donation of school supplies. Though short-cycle in delivery, many of these projects leave long lasting benefits to the community where most residents are poor informal settlers.

At 10:28AM on 4 October 2010, C RAY CARLSON wrote: Altadena Calif. Rotary's signature activity for 20 years is Youth Entrepreneurship Education both locally and abroad, which involves teaching basic business principles and how to write business plans that can lead to small business start-ups and the creation of JOBS, of which there are very few these days. Business-savvy Rotarians can as Vocational Service easily teach New Generations youth or train teachers, using the many available curricula. Business-plan competitions excite the kids and motivate them to study harder and remain in school. Have done this in Armenia, Lebanon, Nazareth/Jerusalem, Uganda (with World Bank), Zimbabwe, Zambia (with US Dept of State), Nigeria, Mexico, Poland, Native Americans. Details <ray@rotapreneur.com>

At 10:27AM on 4 October 2010, Ruteikara Sam (PP PHF) wrote: The Rotary Club of Kampala East Uganda gives very interesting news stories known as "Kibooziboozi" - news told with humour. Many people both Rotarians and non-rotarians come to weekly meetings to listen.

At 9:53AM on 4 October 2010, Hemant Khire rc parvati3131 wrote: ‎3-H Education Upliftment project no 67627 by Rotary Club Pune Parvati Dist 3131 And Rc Culvercity Dist 5280 with TRF ,Rotary International In the rural areas lack of basic physical facilities and infrastructure, and inadequacies among teachers become additional and more significant factors. Research and experience sh...ow that enriched school environment (both tangible and intangible) is congenial for overall development of all children. It is also proven that every society has different type of talents and that; rural children can be equal to or even surpass urban children. With this wider perspective Rrotary club of Pune Parvati has launched a comprehensive educational Upliftment program ,viz. ‘Abhyudaya’, with support from Rotary international ,The rotary Foundation and Rotary Club of Culver City (U.S.) twenty –one schools from Pune – Suburban area have been involved in this project. The initial survey of these schools ( as per Government grading system ) revealed some very disheartening facts such as shattered roofs, absence or insufficient number of toilets, lack of water storage and no benches or desks for proper sitting. The library, laboratory and sports facility and equipment were too inadequate. The teachers required (and also genuinely expected) inputs to improve their effectiveness in light of present needs. Teacher development Teacher is the main architect of our educational system. Both, academic knowledge and qualification, as well as personality of teachers affect the school environment and development of students. In light of the new thrust for educational Upliftment, a teacher development program has been launched with the help of Jnana Prabhodhini, a well known educational organization, to improve teachers’ understanding of self , students and the environment, and to orient them towards means and methods for necessary change. The program will be spaced over three years , involving 150 teachers and the outcome will be evaluated through students’ performance and school environment. Rotarian (PP) Hemant Khire Primary Project contact See More

At 9:52AM on 4 October 2010, Rajeev Karnik wrote: The oldest club in the city, the 53 year old RC Thane, Dist 3140 is known for District Bulletin competition and for "Van Vihaar", an annual one day outing & "Horizon", a drawing, painting and clay modelling competition for special children in Mumbai & Thane

At 9:50AM on 4 October 2010, Sunita Gahrotra wrote: Rotary Club of Delhi East End is known for its GIFT OF LIFE program since 2005.

At 11:08AM on 29 September 2010, Rotary Club of Kamuning wrote: Every year for the past sixteen years, Rotary International District 3780, headed by the Rotary Club of Kamuning and the Division of City Schools of Quezon City have staged the Alay ng Rotary sa Araw ng Kabataan. This is a daylong youth activity which includes ten competition events participated in by most of the schools in the city. This year, the 17th season will be launched on November 6, 2010 at the Amoranto Memorial Sports Complex along Roces Avenue, Quezon City. The youth activities will start at 7:30 in the morning and end at 4:00 in the afternoon. The theme, “Kabataan, Kabalikat sa Maayos na Kapaligiran” has been chosen to highlight the special role the youth of today will play in the protection and preservation of the environment. Rotary’s dream of a beautiful world for the new generations puts a premium not only on the alleviation of poverty & hunger and the promotion of good health and literacy but also on the preservation of the environment. Ours could be such a beautiful world if we keep it safe from environmental degeneration. This is the dream that we want our youth to share and the Araw ng Kabataan is one perfect way to create awareness among students in 143 public elementary and high schools within the city that will send more than 5,000 participants to the competitions.

At 11:07AM on 29 September 2010, Rotary Club Of Nashik Ambad wrote: Every year in Nov. or Dec. we conduct Mini Marathon and School Run in Nashik and thousands of citizens and school students participate in this event. Attractive prizes are distributed and with the help of local Atheletic Association we adopt 2 athelets each year for their systematic training. - Rtn Sunil Deshpande

At 11:07AM on 29 September 2010, Kathleen Salii wrote: Rotary Club of Palau, D2750, has its premier fundraiser every November to celebrate its Charter Night Anniversary as well as to raise funds for a specific project each year. This year marks the 15th year.

At 9:39AM on 27 September 2010, Smriti Gulwady wrote: We at RC Thane Suburban D3140,Mumbai India hold a programme of Hindustani classical music, free of cost every year in January (Rotary awareness month) & talk about RI;TRFprogrammes & club projects to the audience present in large numbers

At 9:38AM on 27 September 2010, PP Reynaldo Abellada wrote: I belong to Rotary Club of Baguio Sunrise of D3790. For the past 6 years now, we choose and give recognitions to outstanding public school teachers from the public elementary schools and public high schools. This has inspired our public school teachers who had to deliver the desired educational instructions to our pupils and students mostly coming from the marginalized sectors of our society using minimal resources. We tag this annual search 'B.E.S.T. 2011" to mean Baguio,s Exemplary School Teachers and this has been widely covered by local print and broadcast media to include television. We focus on the innovations introduced by the school teachers to impart teachings to their students. This has motivated the public school teachers and has greatly improved the ratings of public schools in Baguio versus national level ratings.

At 9:37AM on 27 September 2010, aldair franco wrote: The R.C. of Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil made its XXI Feijoada, a typical and delicious dish of Brazilian culinary'. It has been made every year and the profits is for the Rotary Foundation. It is waited anxiously by all the citizens.

At 9:36AM on 27 September 2010, Tony Quinn wrote: My club Chelwood Bridge in D1200 is known for its production of Water Survival Boxes providing rapid aid and clean water filtration to people in disaster areas of the world. 800 already in Pakistan following the flood for more information see.www worldwaterworks.org

At 9:34AM on 27 September 2010, Marvin Scruggs wrote: Central Queens Rotary is known for its Christmas Gift Giving. Our Santa Claus excites the children and gets them in the spirit of the season. We also hold a Supermarket Sweep just before Thanksgiving. Last year's winner ran straight to the Meat section and loaded up her cart to the point where she could hardly push the cart

At 9:33AM on 27 September 2010, Wally Brown wrote: The Rotary Club of Sugar House in Salt Lake City, Utah 1) Is known as "The Sweetest Club in Rotary" 2) For 19 years has held the Chili Open. We play golf in the snow each January and serve "all you can eat Chili" We raise $275,000 each year for eight small local charities 3) We annually distribute >3,500 Dictionaries to 3rd grade students in Utah 4) As we celebrate our 75th Anniversary this year we note that we were the first club in Rotary International to be a "second" club in a city of fewer than one Million population

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