CHAPTER I

Rotary Code of Policies 52
January 2013
9.040.1. Rotarians’ Responsibility in Promotion of Rotary
Individual Rotarians are urged to help their Rotary clubs to become more identifiable in
their communities by personally informing others about what Rotary is and does, in order
to improve and expand Rotary growth and service. Each Rotarian is expected to be fully
informed about Rotary's object, programs, and activities, and seek opportunities to make
the aims and accomplishments of Rotary better known in his or her personal, business
and professional contacts. (June 2002 Mtg., Bd. Dec. 245)
Source: November 1983 Mtg., Bd. Dec. 124; November 1995 Mtg., Bd. Dec. 82
9.040.2. Publicity for Club Projects and Activities
Clubs are expected to seek publicity for successful service projects and activities which
illustrate Rotary's aims and accomplishments.
Experience shows the following Rotary Stories are most effectively promoted:
1. Outstanding volunteers
2. Interaction between people in developed and developing countries
3. Local Rotary and/ or The Rotary Foundation projects
4. Rotary exchange program individuals such as Youth Exchange students,
Ambassadorial Scholars, or GSE participants
5. Human interest stories of people benefiting from Rotary service
6. PolioPlus activities – particularly in polio-endemic areas. (November 2004 Mtg., Bd.
Dec. 59)
Source: November 1983 Mtg., Bd. Dec. 124; November 2004 Mtg., Bd. Dec. 59
9.040.3. Club Relations with Media
Clubs should reach out to the public by sharing their stories with the local media. This
can be done by identifying media targets, developing a media list and contacting
appropriate media with a press release. Refer to Effective Public Relations: A Guide for
Rotary Clubs for further information or the Effective Public Relations section of the RI
website at www.rotary.org.
In addition, club activities should include talks to clubs by news media personnel on the
role of the media. (November 2004 Mtg., Bd. Dec. 59)
Source: February 1978 Mtg., Bd. Dec. 271; Amended by November 2001 Mtg., Bd. Dec. 45; November 2004 Mtg., Bd. Dec. 59
9.040.4. Public Relations Training for Club Officers
Clubs are encouraged to seek resources among their membership to train officers in
effective techniques to use in response to news media inquiries and interviews. Clubs
also are encouraged to include a segment on Rotary public relations in all club leadership
training. Clubs should consult www.Rotary.org for more information or the publication
“Effective Public Relations: A Guide for Rotary Clubs.” (November 2004 Mtg., Bd.
Dec. 59)
Source: November 1991 Mtg., Bd. Dec. 137; Amended by November 2004 Mtg., Bd. Dec. 59