BE A VIBRANT CLUBPR Planning

Rtrn Klenam, Rotary Club of Accra South

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“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 -

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• 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.

What is Public Relations

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Public Relations: Informs the community about your club activities, events and services … builds awareness and credibility

Public Image: What your club stands for and how you are perceived… your clubs image in the community

What is Public Relations

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According to RI:

• Public Relation efforts are VITAL to Rotary’s continued growth & service.

• Creating a positive image for Rotary is the responsibility of EVERY Rotarian, locally & globally.

Does RI encourage PR?

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• 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.

Common misconceptions

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• Enhance the club’s public image • Gain support and resources for projects • Build links with other community organizations • Attract qualified members • Recognize Rotary members for their

contribution to the community • Correct misconceptions about the club and

Rotary

Effective PR Relations

What are the benefits of an effective public relations plan for your Club?

7 Steps for an Effective Plan

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Step 1

• First Step: PR Committee Chair

• Who would you ask to be on

your PR Committee?

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Step 2 Evaluate what you are doing now

Who should do the evaluation? • A small group of Rotarians and non-

Rotarians

What should you evaluate? • Clubs website • Brochures, other materials and media • Review past news releases

Are you using the new Rotary identity?

Do your current efforts reflect the image you want?

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UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA

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Step 3 Building your campaign

• What is your goal?

• Identify your target audiences….who are they?

• Identify your key message or story…. Polio Day, your clubs signature event

• What is more compelling? … an event or service?

• Include photos, audio or video

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TELL COMPELLING STORIES WITH CONSISTENT MESSAGES

• Real people, real stories

• Tug the heartstrings

• Focus on the WHY, not the HOW

• Define your impact

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Step 4 Call to action

What could you use as a Call to Action? • Exciting community service project

• Prestigious speaker • After hours social • Like us on Facebook

• Other?

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Step 5 Funding & Resources

Resources to support your club’s PR: • Human capital can be more impactful than

financial

• Club budget line item for PR

• Partner with other organizations • Use of social media

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Step 6 Tactics and Tools

What media outlets can you target? • Newspaper articles and ads • Business journals • Local TV/Radio ads and announcements • Billboards • Club and members social media • You Tube • Your website and newsletter • Community Blogs

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Step 7 Develop a calendar

Your PR calendar: • Your events and service projects for the year • World Polio Day October 24th • Rotary’s anniversary February 23rd • Transition of leadership • Rotarians at Work Day • Rotary Day

Public Relations Resources

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Resources

• District, Zone and RI Resources

• The Club Public Relations Committee Manual

• Effective Public Relations: A Guide for Rotary Clubs

• Rotary PR Tips newsletter

• Rotary’s Brand and Media Centers

• Tell Rotary’s Story: Voice and Visual Identity Guidelines

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OUR VOICE AND VISUAL IDENTITY

• Download the guidelines • Create your own club

logo

• Use templates as a starting point

• Use images to inspire your own photos

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WHAT YOU’LL FIND

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THE END RESULT

million members

delivering a consistent message

1.2 = =more members, donors, partners

stronger brand greater impact

=

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• 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.

Promoting Rotary

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• 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.

Promoting Rotary Cont’d

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• 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!!!

Promoting Rotary Cont’d

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• Annual leadership changes provide opportunities for members to take on new roles.

• Ask the current and immediate past presidents to work with the president-elect and president-nominee.

PREPARE FUTURE CLUB LEADERS

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Rotary clubs are full of professionals and leaders. Teach them how to lead within Rotary.

COACH NEW LEADERS

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Create committees that are practical for your club. Recommended committees include: • Membership • Public relations • Service projects • The Rotary Foundation • Administration

CREATE PRACTICAL COMMITTEES

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Keep traditions that are meaningful to your club, but foster an environment that allows members to offer ideas for new club practices.

TRADITION AND INNOVATION

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IMPLEMENTATION IDEAS

• Consider holding a daylong retreat.

• Incorporate member ideas.

• Before amending bylaws, test new ideas.

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WHAT IS BE A VIBRANT CLUB ?

• A guide to help clubs create their own leadership plans

• A description of 10 best practices

• A tool that challenges you to energize your club

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HOW TO USE THE GUIDE

• Review the best practices.

• Identify areas for improvement.

• Brainstorm new ideas. • Test new practices.

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YOUR CLUB, YOUR IDEAS