Nisha Kotecha
Why we need to share Rotary’s good news
By Nisha Kotecha, president of the Rotaract Club of Hampstead, Hendon and Golders Green, England
I know a Rotary Club that has changed the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of young people over the years. I know this because I have attended some of their meetings. And because I am one of the lives they have changed.
The Rotary club I am referring to is one of the largest in London, so they don’t need to generate publicity around their activities. Or do they?
This Rotary club is doing incredible, life-changing work. But there is one thing they are not doing. They are not sharing their story with the community. They are well known and respected within Rotary circles, but they are not very well known at all outside the family of Rotary. And they are not alone. Many of our clubs are doing incredible work, and impacting many lives, but the public does not know about it.
Here are two reasons why I think we must start telling others our Rotary “good news.”
It will attract new members
I understand and love that for many Rotarians, it is more about serving than recognition. But it is not being a glory seeker to tell people in the community the impact we are having. It should actually be the duty of club members to do this. Why? Because more people will hear about Rotary, they will learn what Rotary is about, and they will see the impact that can be made by being a member. Seeing Rotary in action, and seeing the positive results we have, is attractive to prospective members. And that is good for Rotary, that is good for our projects, and that is good for the new members, who gain the added ability to help others through Rotary.
It will motivate others to support our projects
If you, your campaign, and your project are the world’s best kept secret, you are not likely to break any fundraising records or have the massive impact you were hoping for. TheGlobal Swimarathon and World’s Greatest Meal were incredibly successful because they were incredibly visible, and launched amazing campaigns that shared every milestone they reached.
Hopefully by now I have convinced you why it is important to share. There are many ways to do so, through social media, through videos, through partnering with others, through your local media. Here in the United Kingdom, we have three Rotary members who have excelled at doing this, Paul Wilson, Eve Conway, and Mukesh Malhotra. I’m sure there are examples near you, and they would probably be happy to give you advice if you ask them.
In April of last year, I started a website to share inspiring stories from charitable organizations around the world. If you want to read some good news, visit my website,Good News Shared, and get in touch with me if you have news to share. But by all means, let others know the good you are doing, so the world will understand how awesome Rotary is.
Visit Rotary’s Brand Center for guidelines on telling Rotary’s story
