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• Each of us has a public image
• Companies, brands and organizations have a public image
• Cities, states and even countries have a public image
Take note of how quickly you recall how you feel when you see these images…
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see…
Rotarians Against Malaria
Roadsafe Youth Driver Awareness
Rotary Australia World Community Service
Safe Water Saves Lives
Rotary Oceana Medical Aid for Children
surprised I was a Rotarianthought Rotary was for businessmen
Rotary included women recently, but thought it was only for business women
Rotary is exclusive and mysteriousno-one knew about the humanitarian work our clubs doimagine what we can achieve (membership wise) if that secret was knownCan we do something to change people’s view of what Rotary is?
Involuntary
Messages
Deliberate
Messages
PublicImage
control these
minimise these
Public Relations!
You cannot control your Public Image…
You can only attempt to control your MESSAGES.
So let’s talk about the messages we send, and how and where we send them.
Up to 80% of communication is Non- Verbal.
Is it possible that up to 80% of our messages that contribute to our Public Image are involuntary?
Rotary meetings in here
General public out here
Deliberate Meeting MessagesClub Projects & Events:• We raised $800 at Bunnings last weekend• Volunteers for our working bee needed• Letter received from our sponsor child
• Fundraising film night – next Saturday
• Our Matching Grant has been approved
• We are visiting Calperum in October
Involuntary Meeting MessagesRituals: • National Anthem
• Prayers / Invocations• Toasts• Sergeant Session
Order / Formality / Punctuality
Dress standardGuest Speaker QualityVenue / Meal Quality
Language
Rotary’s Body Language
Rotary’s Body Language
Remember: If the involuntary messages are unattractive…
… It doesn’t matter how attractive thevoluntary messages are.
Our online messages :Who is the target audience of our online activity?
Q. Is a club website:
(b) a tool for recruitment?(a) a tool for members?
A. Undoubtedly BOTH!
DeliberateMessages
Control our
• eradicating Polio
• providing clean water
• youth programs
• peace & conflict resolution
• great training opportunities
• meet wonderful people
• promote literacy
InvoluntaryMessages
Minimise our
• attendance requirements
• meeting rituals
• male dominated
• ageing membership
• exclusive
• sausage sizzle central
• expensive
(Rotary’s body language)
What’s the best avenue of communication?
Website?
Social Media?
Word of mouth / personal networks?
Paid advertising?
Press release?
Newsletter distribution?
Everything you can possibly manage!
Rotary has its own unique language, that even some Rotarians
don’t understand.
Communicating with non-Rotarians
They don’t understand our jargon or acronymsThey don’t care about our Club Bylaws or ConstitutionThey have no concept of where D9520 is (or where D9500 starts)
Write like a non-Rotarian, because:
They don’t care about our annual theme or international president and can’t understand why we would keep changing them.
“Young people join causes, not clubs”.
What is our cause?
• Control your messages to enhance your public image.
• Be aware of Rotary body language & involuntary messages.
• Regularly monitor your online presence.
• Speak like a non-Rotarian.
• Identify your cause.
Now that is a public image!
