T hree simple words say it all: See your stories.
That’s the motto of RVM: The Rotarian Video Magazine, launched in 2005 to showcase footage of Rotarians locally, regionally, and internationally.
"In many ways, RVM is an extension of what we do every month in The Rotarian," says Vince Aversano, manager of Rotary International’s Communications Division. "It allows viewers to meet many of the people we cover in the magazine, visit their projects, and share their struggles and triumphs."
RVM is published three times a year on DVD, with each edition featuring several documentary-style reports. The video magazine has covered Rotary stories around the world, including food banks and student-built housing in the United States, National Immunization Days to fight polio in India and Nepal, programs to help HIV/AIDS orphans in South Africa, an innovative literacy program in Brazil, tsunami relief in Cambodia and Thailand, and food aid in Romania. It often tells the stories of average Rotary club members, and every July, it profiles the incoming RI president.
"Our staff of writers, producers, photographers, and editors works closely with The Rotarian to showcase the best of Rotary at work," says Stephen Guenther, manager of RI’s Broadcast Media Department. "And wherever our team goes, Rotary club members provide invaluable support and inspiration."
In addition to simply enjoying RVM for its own sake, Rotarians can use it as a "speaker" at their weekly club meetings or as a recruitment and orientation tool, or share its inspiring stories with participants in Interact, Rotaract, and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. They can also make copies available to cable-access stations, libraries, and schools, or give them as gifts.
In the year to come, RVM will bring viewers on-the-scene reports from Rotary club projects in Brazil, Canada, France, Peru, Sri Lanka, Uganda, and the United States.
Each issue of RVM comes in six languages, plus a version with English-language subtitles. Individual copies and full collections are available at shop.rotary.org.