Paul Harris said: 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. With this in mind, as chairperson of Public Relations, with my committee Giles Bixler and Therese Eley (so far), I hope to achieve recognition for Rotary’s accomplishments, and to build a relationship between Rotary and our Oak Bay community. In order to raise awareness of Rotary in the community, the Rotary message will be directed to:
- the media
- local government officials
- the business community
- civic leaders and organizations
- people directly affected by Rotary service projects
- Community bulletin boards
Our plan will be to lay out a calendar of events for the coming year. Stories will be developed directed to the Oak Bay News and the Times Colonist, the District 5020 Newsletter, local radio stations, and local TV stations. Once contact lists for the media have been established, informational stories will be written to promote Rotary’s special events, such as the Home and Garden Tour and the Golf Tournament, both happening in August.
The PR committee will use various RI publications to create information to use as promotional materials. Some of these materials are found on the RI site.:
http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/foundation/psa.html?cPath=&products_id=224
We will be issuing information to the media to inform of:
- Outstanding volunteers
- The interaction of people in developed and developing countries such as that which will be reported by Oak Bay Rotarians, Joan Firkins and Tricia Timmermans, who are travelling to Ethiopia to take part in the Polio (NID) immunization days in October.
- Rotary exchange program participants such as Youth Exchange, Ambassadorial Scholars, or Group Study Exchange participants
- Human-interest stories of people benefiting from Rotary service, such as those living in the Habitat for Humanity houses
- PolioPlus activities, particularly in polio-endemic areas
We will endeavour to liaise with other organizations and community groups to achieve relationships that are mutually beneficial, as other community leaders will then learn about Rotary, and Rotary volunteers will meet potential members. Where possible, we will attempt to organize joint community projects, such as one we are organizing presently: the Oak Bay Home and Garden Tour, an event we are sharing with the Oak Bay Heritage Foundation; this type of activity can increase the pool of membership candidates, expand community service opportunities, and increase financial or volunteer project support while gaining greater public recognition.
The PR Committee will continue to improve the Oak Bay Rotary website, www.oakbayrotary.com, which will be used as an informational tool for upcoming events, meeting reports, Directors’ reports, displaying photos of social events, members’ advertisements, links to RI and District 5020 information, and so on.
Tricia Timmermans
PR Committee Chairperson
