The Importance of Publicity &
How It Affects Your Rotary
Club
\"In the promotion of understanding,
it is important to reach large numbers,
non-Rotarians as well as Rotarians, and
you cannot reach large numbers privately.\"
~Paul Harris

What Is Public Relations?
PR gains an organization or individual exposure to
their audiences.
PR helps an organization and its publics adapt
mutually to each other.
PR can be used to build rapport with employees,
customers, investors, voters or the general public.
PR spreads information to gain public awareness for
a product, person, service, cause or organization,
and can be seen as a result of effective PR planning.

Does RI Encourage PR?
YES!!!!
According to RI:
o Public Relation efforts are VITAL to Rotary’s continued
growth & service.
o Creating a positive image for Rotary is the
responsibility of EVERY Rotarian, locally & globally.

Common Misconceptions
Everyone has heard of Rotary.
Everyone knows what Rotary involves.
Just because YOU know you’re in Rotary, everyone
else does too.
If Joe Blow really wanted to be in Rotary, he’d ask
you about joining your club.

Ways To Promote Rotary
Promote - via the media - club activities which address
important community issues.
Develop a club website and encourage community
organizations to link to it.
Solicit third party endorsements of Rotary projects.
Ask beneficiaries of Rotary service to speak on behalf of the
club.
Publicize member participation in club activities in business and
trade periodicals as well as at their work places.

Ways To Promote Rotary
Arrange for Rotary displays in local libraries, banks, city halls,
etc.
Produce a video of club activity.
Promote Rotary’s work with and for young people.
Seek opportunities for Rotarians to speak at community events
& schools.
Speak to local press groups.

Ways to Promote Rotary
Wear Rotary pins, shirts, etc. to public events.
Place brochures, pamphlets in local businesses (doctor’s
offices, hospitals, etc.)
Use signage throughout the community.
Think outside of the box.
GO BIG!!!

What Does “GO BIG”
Mean?
Use large signs at your club’s meeting place.
Get a large sign or banner and ask to display it at community
festivals and events.
Speak to the Chamber of Commerce about displaying the
signage permanently in the community.
Join forces with another service organization and create a
“welcome to” sign for your community with both emblems on the
sign.

More Ways to “GO BIG”
Get town / parish permission to paint the wheel emblem on
cement at various public places (parks, roadways, etc.)
Ask your town, parish or heck, even STATE to hold a blue &
yellow day in honor of Rotary’s achievements with polio.
Sponsor a float in a local parade (Mardi Gras, Christmas, Etc.)
Encourage members to each come up with 3 ways to GO BIG!

Examples of GOING BIG!

More Ways To GO BIG!

Wondering Where To
Start?
Appoint a PR person or team within your club who will head up all
projects and push others to follow through on their parts and promises.
Have members come up with several ideas then vote on the top 4
projects that can be done to promote your club and Rotary
International.
Get used to the idea that it will take elbow grease and funding to
accomplish your club’s publicity goals & needs.
Apply for PR grants on the district level in order to obtain funds.
Share this presentation with club members and GET BUSY!