Seven ways to get more out of Rotary in 2013

By Antoinette Tuscano
Rotary International News – 2 January 2013

A teacher prepares a lesson for first graders at École Ste.-Famille in Les Cayes, Haiti. The school was rebuilt with support from a Rotary Foundation donor advised fund after the 2010 earthquake. Resolve to support the Foundation's work in the six areas of focus in 2013. Rotary Images/Alyce Henson

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T ry something different in 2013 to attract new members and keep existing ones. Here are a few ideas to help you do more with Rotary in the new year.

Be part of Rotary's efforts to End Polio Now

Consider planning a fundraiser for polio eradication, taking part in the World's Biggest Commercial, or having your club or district light up a landmark as part of Rotary’s anniversary celebration on 23 February. Rotarians have made great progress in the push to end the disease, but the job isn’t finished yet. As little as US$0.60 can help immunize a child against the incurable disease. Contribute to PolioPlus, and learn more about Rotary's eradication efforts.

Think strategically and set club goals

Rotary Club Central is an online assessment tool that helps clubs set goals and track their accomplishments, such as contributions to The Rotary Foundation. New features have just been added that allow clubs to plan and track service projects from beginning to end, and set public relations goals. Log in through Member Access, and help your club work more efficiently by using the tool to set and measure club goals.

Help the Foundation fulfill its mission

Make a resolution to donate to the Foundation’s Annual Fund in 2013. Skip one latte a week, and you'd have US$100 or more to contribute to your club's Every Rotarian, Every Year effort. You can make a one-time contribution or a recurring gift.

Get up to speed on the new grant model

In July, all districts will begin using the Foundation's new grant model. Get prepared by learning more about the model. See what Rotarians have to say about the model, read a global grant case study, and check out a guide to the new grants in Global Outlook.

Get inspired at the RI Convention

The 2013 RI Convention in Lisbon, Portugal, 23-26 June, is an ideal opportunity to network with Rotarians from all over the world, develop your leadership skills, and connect with others who share your recreational, professional, or humanitarian interests. Lisbon was recently voted as the best quality for the price destination in the world and the friendliest city in Europe by TripAdvisor's annual poll of users. Discover why Lisbon is an explorer's paradise on our convention microsite, and register today.

Publicize your good work

Public Image Grants enable districts to raise Rotary’s profile and promote the global and local work of Rotarians by placing public service announcements on television and radio, in print media and on billboards, and on the Web. Help your district apply for a grant by 4 March. To further promote your club’s signature activities, be sure to update your website with information about your projects and meetings. Also, start a social media page, and follow what Rotary is doing on sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn.

Connect with alumni

Rotary Foundation alumni can be effective speakers at club meetings, and many are potential club members. Reach out to them.

17 Comments:

At 9:38AM on 4 March 2013, Ranjith.R wrote: Great Encouragement.....

At 9:19AM on 11 January 2013, Rtn.R.Murali Krishna wrote: ..i've been a Rotary Alumni as i was a GSE team member from RID 3260 to Rid 5970 Iowa in 2008,during the Gse Tour, the first thing that impressed me was the cordial behavior ,discipline in life,reaching- out- to- serve and eagerness to make friendship attitudes of rotarians i met, also the power of Rotary emblem -The Wheel being recognised as a symbol of Service by even non rotarians was something i had never expected.Once back from the Gse Tour , i felt there isn't any other better platform than Rotary to join with and accomplish the unfulfilled desire to Serve the humanity and also become a soldier-of-service in this wast army of esteemed rotarians spread across the doing such acts- like Polio eradication, which seem to be simple to think but hardly executed by any organisation of this magnitude.......! In continuation of my childhood dream to serve the society,but never knew, How to....My life changing experience as Gse team member and rubbing shoulders with Rotarians motivated me to Join Rotary as a member.....and now ,within 2 yrs of me joining, i'm the Hony Secretary of my club -Rotary Club of Berhampur ,and i think its a blessed opportunity for me to 'Service Above Self" ...Cheers to Rotary !

At 10:46AM on 7 January 2013, Satheeshkumar. P, RC of Tinnevelly, RID 3212 wrote: Excellent and timely ideas.

At 10:38AM on 7 January 2013, Barbara Shayeb-Helou wrote: Great reminders! We all know these items, but having them held up in front of your face every now and then gets you motivated. It is going to be a great Rotary year!

At 10:22AM on 7 January 2013, Rtn. M.A.Rahman RFSM wrote: Very unique suggestion will help our club very much. Thank you contributor for the article.

At 10:22AM on 7 January 2013, Mamud mohammed RC Garki,FCT,Abuja wrote: Brilliant ideas and ways to kick start the last half of 2012/2013 Rotary Year. Clubs all over should try it out. Thanks.

At 10:21AM on 7 January 2013, Ronald Farra wrote: Rotary Club Beirut Cedars set up www.dialrotary.org to connect with Rotarians of Lebanese origin in the diaspora and set up an international fellowship of Rotarians of Lebanese origin. The club expects to get Rotarians from all continents to register and will serve as a database to study from which part of the country they emigrated and in which country they settled.

At 10:19AM on 7 January 2013, Carol Springer wrote: Hello, I prepare and produce a weekly Rotary bulletin and until now have always been able to cut and paste items of interest. Am I doing something wrong this week, or have your items changed. Thank you.

At 8:57AM on 2 February 2012, George Laniyan, Rotary Club of Sekondi-Takoradi, D9100. wrote: Thanks for these ideas. I am glad I visited this page. My club would surely be guided and benefit from these ideas.

At 8:45AM on 30 January 2012, Bill Pearl wrote: Outstanding material to help our clubs! Thank you!

At 12:48PM on 20 January 2012, BRAJESH NAHAR wrote: excellent ideas

At 12:48PM on 20 January 2012, Manikandan. President 2012-13, Rotary Club of Karaikudi Heritage, RID 3212 wrote: Wonderful Ideas. Each and every club must implement this.

At 1:11PM on 15 January 2012, Karin Treiber wrote: What a wonderful video and idea the Rotary Club of Grantham posted. It is an inspiration to all clubs and all Rotarians. I laughed aloud at the antics of some of the swimmers and truly enjoyed watching all of the young people of every age who participated. Thanks so much for sharing the videos. I encourage Rotarians around the globe to watch the video. I think doing so will fire enthusiasm for many Rotary goals in 2012. Mil gracias! Danke! Kamsa hamnida. Thanks a lot!

At 2:15PM on 12 January 2012, Judy Malatesta wrote: Some great ideas to get motivated for the coming year, plus some additional information regarding projects and goals that I was not aware of. Also, congratulations to the Grantham club, sounds like a great project. Thanks,,

At 2:24PM on 6 January 2012, Barbara Carter wrote: Thanks for the mid winter "jump start".

At 9:34AM on 6 January 2012, PP Rtn RD Rai PHF wrote: Wonderful Ideas

At 9:34AM on 6 January 2012, Paul WIlson wrote: Our club, the Rotary club of Grantham have used free social media tools to transform our extend our annual swimarathon fundraising event into a global world record swim for End Polio Now on 25th February. With participants signed up in all 6 continents of the world confirmed from over 40 clubs to date, and an additional 60 clubs expected. We have International swimming superstars including a world open water marathon record holder from Australia and 5 time Paralympic world champion, and our event is now being promoted to every club in GB + Ireland by RIBI. We fully intend to establish this as an annual event on the weekend nearest to Rotary anniversary, and we would dearly love to get additional PR support from Rotary International centrally to help us get the world media's attention on the End Polio Now campaign and raise many 100s of $1000s - please contact us either via our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/rotaryglobalswimarathon or via our website at http://www.rotaryswimarathon.org - Thankyou!!

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