 |
|
The Public Image of Rotary
From: John Billany
The work of Rotary and its benefits to other people are reasonably well understood by Rotarians but the general public seems to be unaware of the work of Rotary. Over a period of many years a number of surveys have been executed to determine how the general public view Rotary. Little, if any, progress has been made in ensuring that changes within Rotary have been communicated outside of the movement.
Comments about Rotary tend to be:
ˇIt is for middle aged to old men
ˇIt is where men go when they finish Round Table
ˇIt is where men go to eat
ˇIt is a charitable organisation
ˇIt is a secret society
ˇThey help each other
ˇThey organise the firework display and give money to charities
Too often there is little reference to the fact that Rotary has been open to men and women since 1989 and that from 1 July 2001 all Rotary Clubs will be precluded from limiting membership on the grounds of gender.
How often does the local media present Rotary as an organisation of business and professional people who use their expertise for the benefit of others and, in particular, for young people?
The public image of Rotary is created in the community around each Rotary Club. It is generated by conversation, involvement, participation as well as media exposure. It is the responsibility of each and every Rotarian to ensure that the activities of Rotary are widely promoted; that photographs and reports convey the view that Rotary is an active organisation and that food and beverage is only used as a means to improve the understanding of each person within the movement.
The practices and principles of Rotary need to be brought into the public domain and when Rotarians are carrying out their activities with children, disabled people, senior citizens, community projects, environmental enhancement, relief to international disasters and the elimination of polio throughout the world, they should be proud to exhibit their identity with Rotary
|
|
|
|
