Great News!!
D5130 is #1 in our Zone (23) in per capita Annual Foundation Giving for the first half of our Rotary Year, at $75.86. Thanks to all of you, your Foundation Chairs, and your faithful members for what you've given to the world's needful people.
A couple of years ago, the theme of then-RI President Frank Devlyn asked us all to "Create Awareness - Take Action". In fact, it might be better for us to think of it the other way around... "Take Action (and you will) Create Awareness (of Rotary and your Club(s)).
Many clubs, over the last year or two, have created PR pieces in the form of newspaper inserts - TREMENDOUS! And we see regular news releases about the whole range of our Rotary services, both local and international. Every time a Rotarian or Rotary Club is mentioned, we make more of the public aware of who we are, what we're doing, and why we do it.
Most of these news releases tell about the beneficiaries of our programs and projects. Those beneficiaries have certainly had their awareness raised. Do we stay in touch? Do we ask (some of) them (or family members - or associates) to come to a Club meeting - or to help with another service project?
Are you taking advantage of your club meetings to create awareness? When a particularly interesting program is coming up, do you invite guests in that field, or others who might benefit from the knowledge? Are there members of the local media that should be invited to hear certain programs? Do you invite your speakers to return on another occasion - just to enjoy a meeting? Have you ever invited a non-Rotarian friend just for fun - without any consideration of potential membership?
Many clubs have a club-specific brochure that brags about their history, accomplishments, and "mission"; RI has available publications like "This is Rotary" and others. Every club should have a supply of information to give to visitors, guests, and speakers - and to hand out at every public event/fundraiser.
Speaking of public events... Does your club have Rotary visibility when you're out in the community? Do your members wear Rotary shirts/aprons/hats? Do you have signage/posters about Rotary and your Club? How about "the Big Balloon" for "Big Events"? (now there are two, by the way)
All of the above was directed at creating awareness in the public. You know, many of our own members could use a "little awareness", too - and there are two events soon to come to provide that. The District Assembly (April 1 - Fortuna) will let you all know what we're going to do (in DGE Erna's year) and how we're going to do it - and the District Conference (May 19-21 - Konocti Resort) will tell everyone what we've done - and how we did it.
PLEASE GET THOSE EVENTS IN YOUR CALENDARS! And watch for more information.
