Volunteering and raising awareness
R otarians are service-minded people who want to get involved in their community.
Fundraising
Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs, along with other groups in the family of Rotary, are asked to organize community fundraisers to help raise money for ending polio. You may also give online with a one-time or a recurring gift.
Raising awareness
Many people are unfamiliar with Rotary’s contribution to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Some aren’t members of Rotary clubs, whereas others are new to Rotary, live in polio-free countries, or simply haven’t kept up with the ongoing eradication effort. Organize a presentation to share the latest news on Rotary’s progress toward ridding the world of polio, to explain the remaining challenges, and to discuss ways to help in the final push against the disease.
If you’ve been involved in polio eradication efforts such as NIDs or have had personal experiences with the disease, offer to speak at other clubs. After hearing a firsthand account, many people will understand the threat the wild poliovirus still poses to children in certain areas of the world.
For an up-to-date PowerPoint presentation on PolioPlus, please contact polioplus@rotary.org or 847-866-3305.
Use these tools to learn more about the progress toward polio eradication:
Promoting polio eradication
Use every opportunity to raise awareness in your community about Rotary’s polio eradication work and the importance of ridding the world of the disease.
Order these items at shop.rotary.org
Download these items
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World Polio Day Sample Press Release -- A press release to be customized with local polio awareness projects and fundraising events surrounding World Polio Day, 24 October.
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World Polio Day Proclamation -- A proclamation to be submitted to local mayors and governors to name 24 October as World Polio Day in your community or state.
Championing the cause
As the polio eradication effort closes in on the disease, the work becomes more difficult. Polio’s strongholds remain in the world’s poorest countries, many of which require greater levels of support to reach the goal. Assistance from global, national, and local leaders is critical in this respect. A small but dedicated group of Rotarians is working with national governments and multinational organizations to encourage them to commit the political and financial support required to eradicate polio.
To learn more, contact the Polio Eradication Advocacy Task Force and PolioPlus committee members at the club, district, and international levels. See the Official Directory for contact information.
Volunteering
Rotary clubs and Rotarians serving on PolioPlus committees can provide information about upcoming volunteer opportunities, polio eradication activities, and fundraising events. Find contact information through club and district websites and in the Official Directory.
Volunteers living in polio-affected areas or in regions recently declared polio-free can contact their national PolioPlus committee chair to learn how to support local immunization efforts and ongoing PolioPlus projects, participate in National Immunization Days (NIDs), and work with community leaders to promote immunization and eradication. See the Official Directory for contact information.
Volunteers in polio-free countries can promote routine immunizations within their communities, stay informed about the global eradication effort, and support PolioPlus. Rotarians who wish to volunteer for an NID should carefully consider the difficult working conditions and challenges involved before traveling.
More resources