Revised RI Strategic Plan gets back to basics

At 9:24AM on 25 October 2012, Greg Wilkinson wrote: Hi, I'm District Secretary in D1090. I'm looking to update our club strategic plan. Is the 2009 RI strategic plan being updated? If so when is it due for publication please? Thanks

At 12:45PM on 15 April 2010, Sue Klock wrote: Emphasis on PR sadly is needed. Anyone who read the long article on Bill Gates JR in last Sunday's NY Times -- not one word about Rotary -- knows we are far behind in this. In the article Rotary's millions are simply part of Gates' contribution to eradicating polio! What a shame.

At 9:32AM on 10 March 2010, Larry Scott, PDG 2002-03 District 5340 wrote: Agree, the most important public image must be at the club level when visitors and guests are in attendance. Cliff Dochterman, in his newest book "As I Was Saying" To be a Rotarian is to have fun and enjoy the weekly meetings with your friends in Rotary. That's the cotton candy of Rotary - so enjoy it. Although we have not been the best at Public Relations as regards newspapers, etc, one needs only to read page 10 and 11 of Cliff's book to discover the secret of success to retain and grow the membership. If this revised plan is to work, then we do not need District Meetings to which the clubs are invited. We need individuals to go to individual clubs, observe and then come up with the observations and recommendations. If RI really believes the clubs are the key (and I am sure they do), they have to stop the micro-management that filters down from RI and through the District. Too many coordinators, mentors, etc, will only continue to turn off those Rotarians who are looking for some fun and an opportunity to do some service in the community. Do not try and bring us together in "Rotarian at Work" days. We already work, thank you all the same. Solution, read page 10, 11 and 12 of Cliff's latest book.

At 8:38AM on 24 February 2010, Frank van der Meijden DGE D1550 wrote: Thank you, RI D Tom Thorfinsson: it is reassuring to hear that the comments are indeed read by a body that can act upon suggestions / concerns. Thank you John Hoeger for the link to the minutes.

At 9:09AM on 24 February 2010, Frank van der Meijden DGE D1550 wrote: Thank you, RI D Tom Thorfinsson: it is reassuring to hear that the comments are indeed read by a body that can act upon suggestions / concerns. Thank you John Hoeger for the link to the minutes.

At 11:08AM on 22 February 2010, John Hoeger wrote: Thank you Director Thorfinnson. It is helpful to have the participation of RI leadership in these comments. I agree with others that it is difficult to comment on an unseen document. That could be easily fixed as it is Exhibit G attached to the minutes of the Nov 2009 board meeting. It can download at http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/board_minutes0911_en.pdf . </br></br> On the other hand, I do not think Martin Brands comments are pertinent here. His complaint seems to be about the Council on Legislation process and Rotary’s system of governance, not about the proposed Strategic Plan.

At 9:22AM on 19 February 2010, Tom Thorfinnson, RI Director wrote: As a member of the board I want each of you to know that your comments are read and taken into consideration. In addition realize that the current board members with direction from President Kenny have traveled extensively wtihin each of our representative zones to better understand where Rotarians stand on issues such as this. We are well aware of the perception of Rotary mentioned in Paul Riser's comments and the revised plan hopes to help the clubs address this and change that perception. The entire revised plan should be appearing on our website in relatively short order. The final wording of the goals needed to be properly tested for ease of translation and properly vetted. As a result, the detailed goals were brought back to the board at our January meeting. Final approval was given for staff to move forward and prepare the necesary material for distribution through print and this site. We still have much work to do to turn this revised plan into something more than just a vision, but the work has begun. Next will be development of measurements and key indicators for each goal to help us down the path. Thanks for your feedback and support.

At 11:28AM on 12 February 2010, Frank van der Meijden DGE D1550 wrote: First a support to the last posted comment (5 Feb '10): when will we be seeing the complete Revised RI Strategic Plan? Second, I would certainly welcome, and I think it would help the discussion, if some intermediate comments could be given by e.g. RI board members. The comment (23 Nov) by Martin Brands (and following) should / ought to generate sincere uneasiness for the Board in its implications, and thus warrant a comprehensive response. Especially as this comment arose, in spite of RI D Tom Thorfinnsson being quoted as “The revised strategic plan focuses RI’s efforts on the clubs and getting back to basics,” “RI’s main role should be supporting clubs and helping them to expand their service and publicize the accomplishments of their efforts.” If these comments are not part of, or lead to a two-way exchange of ideas, then there is not much use for the organisation.

At 9:14AM on 5 February 2010, Diane Fisher wrote: It would be terrific, if news pieces like this, when published on the site also had the link to the document to which they refer - I'm hunting for a downloadable copy of the plan and hoped this might have the necessary link.

At 10:01AM on 14 December 2009, stuart wrote: its all about povery and the haves v the have nots

At 9:55AM on 25 November 2009, Jim Halderman, DGN wrote: When we build strong clubs that do tremendous service projects around the world and our back yard then tell people about it, guests will line up at our doors.

At 2:47PM on 24 November 2009, Marty Feldman wrote: I think this will help Rotary as we all get back to the basics. Every one in Rotary must buy into this program.

At 12:01PM on 23 November 2009, PDG Graham Money wrote: "Pride in Rotary", an address given by Past President Cliff Dochterman at the International Assembly about 7 years ago, said it all regarding the image & promotion of Rotary. A brilliant presentation that should be shown to Rotarians around the world.

At 12:01PM on 23 November 2009, Janet Harding wrote: This is all very well but nowhere is iti indicated WHAT will be done or HOW. Can this please be shared with Clubs like mine which is floundering desperately and on the brink of collapse.

At 12:02PM on 23 November 2009, Cheryl Michie wrote: A good worldwide and inexpensive health drive would be to print discs similar to those for car licenses, saying: Wash your hands. It helps prevent the spread of diseases. These could be bought and given out locally by all the Rotary clubs in the world, for very little cash. You make the template, we raise funds and distribute the discs to all and sundry for bathrooms throughout the world.

At 12:02PM on 23 November 2009, PDG Rosemary Barker Aragon wrote: In FRAMING a public image more appealing to business men and women of all ages and cultures, we can look to our under 40 Y/O Rotarians to help. The tagline "doing good in the world" resonates to Baby Boomers. How can we find similar resonating, but true words to describe the appeal Rotary has to Gen Xers and Millenials around the world? That is part of our challenge.

At 12:03PM on 23 November 2009, ediz egeli wrote: YES,THAT SHOULD HAVE DONE 3YRS AGO, LET'S KEEP GOING AND WALKING TO PUBLIC AWARNESS.

At 12:06PM on 23 November 2009, Jim Bell Sec. Pres. Elect R.C.Larkhall wrote: I agree with Paul Kiser guests at clubs have the opinion he mentions and unfortunately it is based in the guidelines for attracting new members where it states mebership of Rotary is suitable for professionals and managers. How many new members this must put off. If we don't drop this perception of ourselves we will be sitting at meeting nights in senility and fading gentility and the topic of conversation will be how many times we were up at the toilet during the night and did we manage to get there without falling don the stairs.We must broaden our outlook when looking for new members and the main criteria should be CAN THIS PERSON DO THE BUSINESS FOR ROTARY.

At 12:07PM on 23 November 2009, C S Prasannakumar wrote: Achieving revised plan objectives is possible with 1. rightful intervention by the district 2. well discussed and planned community service projects as per vision plan 3 .self behavior truly governed by 4-way test President Elect Rotary Bangalore West, Dist 3190

At 12:07PM on 23 November 2009, Bruce Campbell wrote: When will we see the revised plan in its entirety? I hope it will be clearly visible on the website.

At 12:08PM on 23 November 2009, PDG Pratap Puranik 3170 Past RRIMC wrote: It is good to hear that Strategic Plan is constantly under surveillance and tuned as per the need arises. This dynamism of the RI and Board will bring the desired results as the time moves on. Changes are welcomed.

At 12:08PM on 23 November 2009, rtn.pp.phf.k.nagendra babu-R.C of MADRAS SILVER BEACH-DIST 3230 wrote: yes.i agree with this the image about Rotary in public should be enhanced by diverting our project ideas with an eye on public awareness and making more visible than what we are doing now,all Rotary magazines can be sold for a price in malls,shops and fairS.DVDs to promote Rotary projects can be gievn to air craft service providers which can be run in the craft on flght.

At 12:09PM on 23 November 2009, Betty McClure wrote: I agree wholeheartedly, clubs and their actiivities to be fully supported, encouraged, congratulated and promoted ! WE MUST ALL CONTINUE TO TELL THE WORLD WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO!! WE MUST ALL RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS!!

At 12:10PM on 23 November 2009, PP/CP Martin Brands wrote: On behalf of many Rotarians from all over the world I object to 2 element mentioned in relation with the RI Revised ‘Get Back to Basics’ Strategic Plan, and the underlying approach to vital topics: (1) Reference to a mandate from the Council of Legislation (2) Reference to a worldwide survey of 14,000 Rotarians Both are inappropriate surrogates for the only valid authorization = (consultation &) approval by the 33,000 voting members of RI = its Clubs. RI/TRF & all other layers of the current Rotary management system obviously need to be reminded that Clubs are the only members of Rotary International and that, as a consequence, any major decision requires their approval. No other vehicle can replace this, certainly not CoL and surveys, as there is no authorization from the Voting Members to make decisions (CoL) or submit suggestions (surveys) on their behalf. This applies to any major decision intended by the RI Board of Directors, the TRF Board of Trustees, the General Secretary & his staff, Zones and Districts. All these management system components support RI = its 33,000 Members, and not the other way around, no matter how well-intended. In order for our organization to survive it is essential that any major decision is supported by our 33,000 Voting Members. This requires an active consultation and approval process. If RI/TRF are unfamiliar with how such a process works then I suggest to look at democratic systems of government and at similar systems of representation. On behalf of many, I suggest RI & TRF to put active involvement of the RI Voting Members at the top of their agenda before it is too late! Clubs deserve respect and need their 'sense-of-ownership' restored that has been taken from them by management system components that are supportive by definition, not directive! Also, it is high time to put an appropriate accountability system in place in which Clubs (= RI’s Voting Members) have a key role. This also would be an essential component of ‘Getting Back to Basics’. Please place this (& any other) reaction with proper separation of paragraphs as this makes it easier to read and understand.

At 12:10PM on 23 November 2009, SK Pahariya President Elect RC Jaipur India RI Dist. 3050 wrote: It's great. Yes, we should concentrate on quality of membership and ignore the statistical growth. This will upgrade the image of Rotary Clubs. Increasing membership by inducting persons with indifferent attitude for Rotary and ignoring the key-character of attendance will damage Rotary's amage. Let us re-store the quality in Rotary.

At 12:11PM on 23 November 2009, g.kumaresan wrote: Strength of club is more important.Many clubs are facing diffuclties to retain members.we must take efforts to retain and invite new members.g.kumaresan drfc d-3202

At 3:46PM on 20 November 2009, Paul Kiser wrote: Writing PSA's is certainly a necessary step to promote the Rotary club, but public image is about more than what appears in the media. Public Relations and public image is not about just promoting an organization. It is about creating a relationship with the public. The 2008 Focus group study done in three non-USA cities indicated that the public's image of Rotary is not what most Rotarians might think and the first step to fixing the public image of Rotary is to understand what that public image is right now. Anything we do in the media to improve our public image will be defeated if a guest walks into a club meeting and has their original image of the Rotary club confirmed. If people see us as an organization consisting of wealthy, older males (part of what the 2008 Focus Study indicates) then we need to perform a critical, unbiased, self examination of why people get that impression and then act to address the causes. All Public Relations is local. It begins and ends at the club level, which means that every member must 1) be aware of the issues we have with the public image, 2) agree to be mindful of that public image. The INTERNAL message (to members) must take into account what we are discovering about the existing public image of Rotarians and assist clubs in taking action to change/improve the EXTERNAL message and act accordingly.

At 9:52AM on 19 November 2009, KRISHNA BHASKAR AVIDI,PRESIDENT(ELECT) R.C.ELURU wrote: Definately it is true and every Rotary Club should focus&increase humanitarian service and publicize their efforts through Media. If we enhance the public image&awareness ,automatically our ROTARY MEMBERSHIP will grow.The Revised plan is simply a good move to strengthen our ROTARY CLUBS

At 10:19AM on 19 November 2009, Joe Schopen wrote: If ever there was an organization that lacked identity outside of itself - it is Rotary International. We all know the power of advertising and have no desire to 'overuse' it for Rotary but, lest we remain 'the silent giant' we need to do more to communicate who and what Rotary is to the general public - the 3rd Priority of the Revised Strategic Plan. A PR chair at the club level with standardized methods could achieve major results. Some thoughts: consistently getting major releases to local media. Lock in time with Public Service Announcements (PSA's) which are free. Developing repoire with media so that regular releases get to press. The possibility of a 'Rotary' column detailing the community service projects in a particular area. Graphics should be a standard.

At 3:12PM on 18 November 2009, richard j kenney wrote: The revised plan seems to make sense. It helps to keep it simple. a good move.