PETS Notes

The following PETS Discussion Group Notes were taken at the 2010 training session.

Funding the Need

TRF – EREY a Priority
Successful fundraising events
ROI – Fundraising 75+ members
Fundraising – Establish funding priorities
Fundraising events (golf outings, etc.)
Funds to local projects
Funds to scholarships
For TRF: Reverse raffle and silent auction
Auction with multiple clubs involved
All items come from club member travels
Fundraisers with “team” of service clubs
NCAA Championship Night” fundraiser
Donations to ShelterBox and TRF after a disaster
Education quarterly about TRF
“Rotary Moment” on TRF

Fundraising – Establish Funding Priorities
Projects that members are involved in internationally
Awareness of TRF:
The Rotarian Magazine
DVDs and videos
Rick Debe – speaker
Invite District TRF chair to speak
Member go on NID and speak to club
Send members on service projects
More education of members

Fundraising – Successful Projects
Seafood Fest – members contribute in-kind to keep it going – lots of labor to do – good community awareness of the Fest – gross $60,000, net $45,000 – kick off gala with awards to community members
Wine Feast – pairing of wine and food
“Battle on Bago” - fishing tournament raised $70,000 – band and fish fry on ice – sell raffle tickets thru boys and girls clubs, advertised on websites, radio, etc.
Shipyard tour
Uncorked and uncapped beerfest
“Survey Says” based on game show - $500 entry fee per team
“Run Up Rib Mountain” – team event - $10,000 profit – engages community
“Pucks For Polio” at hockey game – have iron lung there
Formal dinner with local polio survivor as the speaker
“Dimes” for Polio
Dinner theater event
“Walk for Those Who Can’t” – every club member brings three people
How do we raise awareness even when we don’t know a survivor – not close to home?
$350M spent each year in U.S. to immunize children

Fundraising – ROI
Acceptable timeframe to get off the ground
Good fellowship – lots of participation by club members
Experience of community members
New members gained
Promote Rotary at the events and cross market events
Good publicity – what is Rotary and what do we do
Brings community together – involve other organizations

Funding the Need
What funding needs to your members consider most important?
How does your club support the Annual Programs Fund and the Permanent Fund?
Share some of your most successful fundraising models (both EREY and local projects).
How does your club evaluate the “return on investment” of your fundraisers?
How can your club increase involvement in EREY?
Fundraising most important
PolioPlus
Balance in giving to polio, local, EREY
Local support – youth
Putting a face on where the money goes from sit to stand independently
Scholarships for students who normally don’t receive funds
Visioning helping to identify where the emphasis should be
Community fundraising for ERE
$25/quarter (sort of mandatory)
Happy dollars, fines
Good committee chair who has given benefits for giving
“Change for Change” – fill piggy bank
Club matches on consistent basis

Successful Fundraising Projects (EREY & local projects)
Partnering with other groups
PR – be sure to have Rotary materials
Wine Around the World – pairing wine and food – Fond du Lack – 7 years - $24,000
Rotary Radio auction (50 yrs.) - 2x/mo. In February – items to be bid – competitive - $43,000
Volleyball tournament (20+ yrs.) $35,000 (50-60 teams, sponsorships) – Elmbrook
Joint club effort for Polio – education on Rotary. Social event – speakers – high-profile organizations aware – Stevens Point
Waupaca – Summer musical sponsors - $23,000 – free will offering one night
Minoqua – Rump Roast Run – store owners – 850 runners 5/10k walk –tie in Interact – two clubs - $25/runner, beer garden in p.m. – 6th year - $25,000.
Racine (three clubs) – Dragon boat races, food, beer - $10,000 - $15,000.
Waukesha Noon Pancake Breakfast/BluesFest (2,000 people) – money from sponsors – hope to make $10,000-$12,000
Walworth-Fontana – Fall Triathlon - Rotary volunteers short time - $2,500-$3,000
Ripon – Partner with Berlin club – Golf outing $50/hole - $10,000
Thiensville-Mequon - $100 tickets (recover $90) – 300 tickets - $23,000
West Bend Sunrise – All Washington County clubs – Enhancement in partner with other organizations – labor – local community organizations – the Park – 50,000/50,000 food items
(130,000 initial cost – help from LaCrosse and Stevens Point)
Cerebral palsy joint effort
Racine Founders Vegas Night – partner to provide dollars to others service $25,000-$30,000
Golf outing t o support Haiti (recipient changes each year)
Survey Said – Sheboygan Noon – groups to compete – Family Feud - $7,000 partnership with community because of team participants

Evaluate the Return on Investment
New event – what is goal
Ripon – what you made/hr.
Elmbrook – food for 4th of July – service to community, PR.
Car show – West Allis – Sell H20, tie into route of car show participants going across
Established event
Elmbrook – reevaluated enthusiasm again – two co-chairs
West Bend Sunrise - Jazz Festival - $60,000 - $25,000 - $10,000 – reinvigorate to focus on events
Sheepshead Tournament – stopped Saturday – third year – target younger people Friday night/families
Appleton West – Partner with literacy organizations – pulled out for on year – then started
Mequon-Thiensville - ? bring in new members

How can your club increase involvement in EREY?
Elmbrook – Foundation committee – promote EREY; education.
Ripon – How much received from grants – need to give
Menomonee – Wear Paul Harris pin/Paul Harris club teams
Giving feedback on how many actually donated
$25/quarter – billed and pulled out and sent to RI Foundation
Education on how monies are used – district matching grants/DSG/Amb. Scholarships
Member with a passion
Accessed online made donation at club meeting
Every month – theme for the month

Establish Fundraising Priorities
Dragon Boat Races – Racine
EREY
PolioPlus
RYE
Scholarships – local/international
Badger Boys/Girls
Books for Babies
Field Trip Funding
Building Projects – Habitat – playgrounds – School to Work – Water – Education
Books
Children’s Projects
Adult educational scholarships
Local parks
Arts
Healthcare
Adult Day Center
High school student of the month
“Smart Boards”
Wine tasting

RI Funds
Radio “Issues and Program List”
“Ten Clubs”
Bill quarterly
Opt in v. opt out
“Walk for Those Who Can’t” – PolioPlus
Ed. Sessions/programs
PHF celebrations
PHF award for presidents
New members – PHF points
Award PHF to community members

Successful Fundraising
“Christmas Craft Fair” – booth & entry fees – Whitnall Park Rotary
Spaghetti dinners – Kewaunee – members are required to help
Celeb. Pie Auction
Formal dinners (Valentine’s Day) – Ishpeming
Golf Outing – Slinger
Fish Fry
Lobster Fest – Manitowoc
Duck Race – Whitewater
Hire a Run administrator

ROI – Fundraising
Club participation
Money
Member interest
Community Awareness
Amazing Race
Pancake breakfast
Partner with other events
Enchantment in the Park – Slinger
Zoo concerts
Penny Wars
Haunted House

EREY
“10 Clubs”
Auto-billing
Refer for sale
Happy dollars
Fines
“Scooters”
50/50
Queen of Hearts
Pins
Badges
Raffle
Spin the wheel

Establish Funding Priorities
Local, international
Club foundation
Large project
Literacy project
Etta – Water etc – Ecuador
Allocate amount
Community Match Polio
Community Foundation
Camp POW – WOW funding
Past President Recommendation
Donation committee – local focus

RI Funds
EREY – add to dues quarterly, club fills in shortfall
Dinner – donated gifts – funds EREY
Create groups of 10 who donate – put names in hat, one selected for Paul Harris
Outgoing president awarded Paul Harris
Dues assessment – award Paul Harris

Successful Fundraiser Programs
Radio auction – Cable TV – $11K
County Fair staff volunteers - $1K
Pig Roast – local focus $20 – 25 K
Final Four raffle/dinner $8K sell 100 tickets for $100
Enchantment in the Park – donations of food and cash
Wine and Cheese $25 each – $10 – 15 K
Dragon Boat Race – Chinese paddle (boat team fee) - $4 – 8 K
Audacious Beer Festival
Number Raffle ($100 in) $20K
Pancake Breakfast and Ballet Performances - $4 – 5 K
Mandatory or committee support
Lobster Boil $15K
Chili Cook off
Road Rally – by car sponsorship - $5K
Individual Races - $3500

Return on Investment
Community contact – re-invite
Identify with community – ownership
Corn Brat Fest – long term (40yrs) support
Community Fun Lobster (uniform)
Items of value made attractive – varied items

EREY Involvement
Newsletter – speakers
RI website
Club chair – district chair
Foundation experiences/stories
New member orientation
RI website
Club match 50/50
75 plus members

What funding needs do your members consider important?
Fundraising events (golf outing, etc)
Funds to local projects
Funds to scholarships

For TRF:
Reverse raffle and silent auction
Auction with multiple clubs involved
All items come from club members that travel
Fundraisers with “team” of service clubs
“NCAA championships night” fundraiser
Donations to shelter box and TRF after a disaster
Education quarterly about TRF
“Rotary Moment” on TRF

What funding needs do your members consider important?
Local food pantry
Local Police Department
Sponsor scholarship – nursing student
High School scholarship
Transportation of student to Children’s Health Education Center –partner with Sargento Cheese
Growing membership and programs
Raising money to feed youth
Partnering - small and large clubs sharing profits
Basic needs fund in Green Lake
Where is Polio Plus funding RI needs?

How does your club support Annual Program Fund and the Permanent Fund
Goals by club of donation to APF/EREY
Check off on members billing statement
Share info as to impact of dollars – where
3 years - $’s come back to district
District establish a 501c3 foundation to aid small clubs
Club campaign in asking
Personal ask

Successful Fund Raisers
Ticket sales
Share where dollars are going encourages participation
Identify cause
Corporation matching
It’s difficult to ask and get dollars in economic distress
Work as volunteers at sport event concession stands
Pewaukee Hoover Craft
Iola Car show
Tip jar with cause identified
Partner with group to do wine tasting
Adopting kids at Christmas time
Raffle with money prizes
Murder Mystery Dinner
Recruit family members to help
Fundraisers not volunteer dependent
Student interact
Add on a fee
Whiffle ball – youth focused

Return On Investment
Presidents Pantry – raffle off items
Event that fits the club
Fellowship/community event “Kitefest”
Sponsors to underwriting costs
Allow credit card use – gives contact information
Track attendees
Brewfest – potential new member contacts
Raise community awareness of Rotary
List what club does
Reverse raffle

Increasing involvement
On bill, can opt out
Club matches contributions
Use Paul Harris points to award a “Paul Harris”
Use Paul Harris points to recognize community leaders
Use Paul Harris Ribbons as a visual statement
Send people to foundation dinner
Perfect attendance name in drawing - $100 toward Paul Harris

MEMBERSHIP & RETENTION

Retention
Luck at times in keeping membership
Fund to help Rotarians stay in Rotary – due to economics
Listen to members – keep them happy
Friendships that develop
Engagement of new members right away
Monthly fellowship with members, spouses, partners, families
Social in place of weekly meeting
Consistent new member orientation in group setting (fireside chat)
Mentor to new member
Sergeant-At-Arms make meetings fun
Fines – “daily double”
Teams in club, to do projects, etc.
Do exist interviews
Start a new club

Recruitment
Evening social – ask Rotary alumni
“Leadership” class for group in each community – engaged and already leaders
Ask host families
Talk Rotary every day – customer, wear pin
Wine & beer
People recognize Rotary pin/logo
Challenge now is cost of Rotary
Referrals from other groups
New members engaged – cutesy awards
RI web referrals
Rotary – worldwide contacts

Involve Members
Club survey – commitment to ask people
Club going for presidential citation
Give names to board and members ask people
Membership committee – questionnaire via survey monkey to club
Visioning process
Questionnaire that generated 60 names
Make a phone call – membership person pays fine

Recognition – How?
Wear medallions when new PHF inducted
Have DG or AG help with ceremony
Presentation at club assembly – invite newspaper – picture published
Sustaining sticker for badge
Invite spouse, etc. to presentation
PHF sticker for badge

M&R – 51-75 Members
Progressive realistic membership goals
Understand membership development
Develop M&R strategies

Involve Members
Get name out – Rotaract – Interact
PR
Make sure community knows about RI – local and international
Look beyond those you know
Recognition of non-Rotarians and Rotarians

Recruit Members
Membership is everyone’s responsibility
Each one get one
Every club has own personality
Don’t let member resign – LOA instead
Trade service for dues
Great speakers – invite to join
Membership event
Follow up on invitation
Target young professionals, J.C.s
GSE potential members

Retain Members
Welcome new members – involve
New member sponsors/mentor
Mentor is not sponsor
Fireside Chat – three months
Involve immediately
Red badge program
Board to vote items
Interesting and exciting meeting
Don’t sit at same table
Average age – recruit youth
Site visits to area business
Women are vital – they take action
Does your club look like community
Support Interact clubs to revitalize Rotary club

Challenges
Cost
Create associate membership for second member from same business
Many still think it is a men’s group
Myth of affluent stuffy club
Non-meal memberships
Other community organizations competing for time and money
Show face of Rotary – more PR
Media committee
PR professional in club

Educate Members
Presentation of projects at club meetings
ABCs of Rotary
Questions from the Rotarian with prize for right answer
Paul Harris cartoon to members
Take old Rotarian Magazines to waiting rooms, library
Polio – drives membership
Teach 4-Way Test at schools – Ft. Collins Rotary has program

Involve members
Set goals - Set by president and board
Membership committee – retention
Individual Responsibility
Effort to maintain balance - lost members
Incentive to bring in new members
Invite prospective members to launch
Teacher of the month
Community meetings

Recruit new members
Revise classification list
Mass mailing to Chamber of Commerce
New businesses/new to the area
Attend Chamber Banquet etc.
Variable meetings am/noon/pm in summer and winter
Mass email
Personal Relationships
Visit as club ambassador to local business

Retain members
Analyze competition for time
Appeal of Rotary Brand
Red Badge – Check list – Mentor, District Meeting, another club meeting
One on One with club member

Challenges
Seek business sponsorship
Economize on lunch selection
Pro bono work in lieu of dues
Cover dues of Secretary/Treasurer
Opening Prayer

Educate Membership
4 way test
Devote meeting to Rotary Issues
Rotary DVD’s etc
Fun Master – Lighten up

Involve Members
Annual membership goals
Executive meetings
Visioning 15-35 net 3 members yr
Members invite possible members to an event (breakfast) 1 per member
Bring a guest
Target people of all ages
Visioning
Membership committee
Individual Contact
Waive Guest Fee
Membership Days
Recruit PR members
Good Speakers
Focus on Quality
Monthly themes

Recruiting New members
Social Hours – invite guests
Interesting programs at meetings – invite guests
Invite speakers to become Rotarians
Targeted recruiting

Certain groups – diversity, ownership, attendance, active
Alumni/exchange students
Children/family members
Host families
Encourage good participants

Mailing out info (targeted)
Recruitment meetings
Business after hours
Member of Chamber
Member contacts
Honor Community Leaders
Wear Rotary Pin
Jaycee
Web
Linked IN/Facebook
Appointment cards
E-Newlsetter – Milwaukee Sunrise
“Club Runner” club web site – Elkhorn and Sheboygan
“Constant Contact”
Spouses

Retention
Make them president
Informative and interesting meetings
We know each other personal interaction (friendship) we miss you when you are not here
Discussion/interactive meetings
Orientation
Annual socials – holidays etc
Newsletter
Communication
Socialize
Optimal meetings time – am, noon, eve
Serious commitment to time 1 hour/efficient
Small club hard to ask people to present
Prospective member folders
Get info on-line

Challenges
Attending weekly meetings – if you don’t’ attend weekly meetings will you participate in activities
Dues (companies no longer pay dues)
Economics – younger members, minister, etc
First 6 months free membership
Find a company who will pay
Other clubs who meet at same time (Lions, Kiwanis, etc)
Reputation of a certain Rotarian prevents new members from joining
Keeping people involved – getting participation and help them to doing things
People are busy – making Rotary important
Retention
Mentoring
Change venue visit other places
Fireside: semi-annual bring together new member spouses
Club culture
Cost
Additional “Donations” to many projects
Time
Meeting Length
“Scooters Table” – fine if they leave early
Rotating meetings times
Leave policy
Time/work demands
Lack of younger members

Educate Membership
2 page flyer – info we can hand out
History of Rotary (on RI website)/Club History (members share at meeting)
Radio ads – Humanity in Motion – (can get from RI)
Polio Plus

Encouraging new members
Chamber
Student of month, invite parents to join
Bring a guest
Ask people
Give membership application
Invite speakers
PR – people want to join us.

Fun
Happy Dollars
Happy Fines
Club Member Bios
“Something no one knows about you” chose one and have members guess who it is – can be a raffle
“Fun Master”
Happy Hours
T shirt Party – wear “ugliest t shirt you have” contest with prizes
Club sharing activities – Elkhorn Club
Care boxes to Iraq – bring you Halloween or Easter candy and sent in a care package
Club Birthday Party – virtual punch Bowl (raffle) Manitowoc
Speed Dating – during club meeting
Social Activities
Bike collection
Bus trip to Timber Rattlers
New member is the greeter until a new member joins
Annual dinner
Involve families
Host GSE
“Rotary on the Move” field trips
“Party with the Puppies”
Review current Activities

PR & SERVICE PROJECTS

Current PR
Date your updates
Website
News releases
PR chair/committee
Rotary Radio Auction – bidders know how bid helps
Golf outing on cable channels
Listing of Rotary activities on tickets
Being member of Chamber of Commerce – use their boards
Pick ‘N Save store has radio broadcast – they invite in people who are doing fundraisers
Club display board at events
Radio announcements – buy time
Sponsor event for Chamber
Use social media
Website is not too expensive
Keep current – have more than one administrator

PR & Service Projects
Club bus – Lilac Bus – used as elderly transport – visibility
Baseball tournament – community awareness – support other groups in community
Sponsor award to person in community
Youth – RYE, Interact, etc.
Property – “Rotary Safety Center” and event
What is club known for? – check writing or doers, etc.
Rotary builds
Known in school system, reading, dictionaries
Haiti ShelterBox efforts in community
Movie theater video ad – got sponsorships on this
RI billboards
Partnered with JA, ethics ed.
Birthday books for youth
Tell people – Rotary sponsored this project
Collect youth books and redistribute in community
Spelling Bee – in schools, etc. Rotarians as judges
Adult Spelling Bee for literacy
Computer running with PowerPoint of club work
Sponsorship – tell story of where/how money is used
Grant, review how money was used, report to club and/or share with organization and tell them how you see the money was used – “on-site evaluation”
Send out news release
Newspapers – do work for them

Success
Committee makes recommendation – Board decides
Historical vote
New - looked at, decision made
International – send people to see projects/events, partner with other clubs and district

Collaboration
Partnering, clubs, etc.
Power Flour – Mexico, hands-on
Dentist working in Guatemala
Local non-profits
Boy Scouts – club buy ring – Eagle Scout
Food pantry
T-shirts for youth – advertise Rotary
Exchange student saw need – club now involved – bakery, diaper machine in Brazil (Neenah Club)

Current PR
Sign “Rotary at Work” to post at projects
(out of date) website
Local newspaper articles – coverage of activities – press releases
Linked-In
Facebook
TV coverage/promo for events
Local community fairs at university
Engage/inform Rotary families
Local 4-H connection
Send invites to Rotarian’s spouse
Information at events
Radio – PSAs, advertise, talk shows
Variety of activities – students – seniors
Invite family of deceased members
Projects – invite public

Current Service Projects – How do you sustain?
Anchor person for event (institutional history)
It’s fun – engaging to conduct (fellowship)
Good leader
Tweak event to meet current needs
Eighth grade breakfast to celebrate move to high school
Christmas party for students at ISD (special education)
Are you getting participation – wide range?
Do you make money?
Pull the plug if it isn’t working

Club Service Project – Positive PR
Personal anecdote – how this helped me
Take pictures – write articles about events, projects and activities
Citizen of Distinction award – get newspapers to cover
Service project – time – can be cheap
Highway cleanup
Dictionary project
Rose sale (roses to nursing homes)
Salvation Army
Sponsor children for Christmas gifts
Work with parks & rec for needs to support
Dances
Raffle
ShelterBox demo – principal drink water)
Interact Club
Run to support project for children
Combine with other nearby clubs
Walk for PolioPlus
Thanksgiving meals
Senior citizen prom
After-prom party for high school

How are you using social networking?
Linked-In
Facebook
Keep website current
If you want younger members, include in visioning process
Need to increase social networking
What’s the time involved? (Linked-In, Facebook)
How you use Linked-In and Facebook – pictures, events, news, speakers

How can your club collaborate locally? Internationally?
Wells outreach to clubs
Russian orphanage – use website to post pictures
Combine with other nearby clubs to do water project in Guatemala
World Community Service – Rotary website – available/vetted projects
Link with former exchange student to do project in their country and work with the Rotary club who sponsored them
Use networking, family members to collaborate with other clubs (local/international)
Operation Shoebox – Central America – fill shoeboxes with items

Current PR
All members wear pin on non-meeting days
Medial coverage – events and speakers
“Feed” the media
Flipcamera.com – free camera for non-profits
Personal relationship with media
Invite media to join
Billboards
Online banner ads
“Google Paper Clip”

PR & Service
Multiple service groups
Scholarships
Rotary Park
Funded a stage
Habitat for Humanity
Post Prom
Dragon boat race
Road rally
Money to community groups
Radio auction
Rotary Vision Home Building
Christmas light shows
New members press release
Pancake breakfast
Awards
Rotary sculpture
Grapes and hops
Youth work
GSE
Lobster boil

Social Networking
Blog
Updated website
Link older members to younger members
PayPal and online payment for dues

R.O.I.
Money
Coverage
Track brochures

Collaboration
Christmas light show
WPR Radio
Wausau E.B. Annual Dinner
Walk for Polio – DePere and Green Bay
Club member banner travels to members’ business
Post-Prom
Casino Night – Racine Rotary Club
Hockey hat and mitten drive

Why Rotary?
International
Local
Ordinary people/extraordinary things
Basic needs
Serve communities
Connect international with local
World citizenship
Resource leverage

What PR does your club currently do?
Antigo – Kids from Wisconsin event – radio, newspaper, sell ads; picnic for kids, include other young people in community.
Manistique – Plant trees on each street – maple; sell word of mouth; newspapers.
Emails, brochures to small business (mainly banks) - presentation on social media; target the audience you want to come.
Local medial, community involvement (Plymouth)
New Berlin – Website with link to fundraising/blog, posters throughout community; news release to papers that are left.
PSAs – able to customize.
Ripon – Humanity In Motion – local TV – booth at Cookie Days.
Marquee to publicize events
Local media looking for items – especially youth exchange – write article and send pictures.

What club service project s can attract positive media?
Portage Co. – Collection boxes at businesses. Toys for Tots – sell toys at discounted rate/Marine present.
Kite Test – Radio station be in-kind; yard signs; member of business council – get article in newsletter.
Food stand at Road America – Speed Channel gave promo
Amigos – Paired with Mitchell Field – schools help with packing Thanksgiving basket.
Use prominent people in community to help with meal delivery.
Pewaukee – Partnered with the fire department – Hover craft
Funding a vehicle for senior taxi

How can your club use social networking to promote service projects and membership?
Launch Twitter site – New Berlin.
Facebook – information/potential recruitment.
Link WAS to Facebook page.

What service projects does your club currently do?
Veterans for Peace – Assist with resources – flyers, farmers market – six vans of it items Veterans said they needed. August, October.
Oshkosh Morning – Shelter for women and kids (Christine Ann Center) – wrap gifts.
Donate to specific families based on their need. Club pays, esp. over.
New Berlin – Ask mayor what is needed.
Plymouth – church needed freezer for meal site.
Rebuilding together
Portage – One time per month collect specific items.

How do you measure the success/return on investment of each project?
Toys for Tots – Able to quantify ease of doing – evaluate the project to improve (be sure many members participate).
Project itself will tell you.
Strive Program for at-risk students.
Shop for Kids at Christmas.
Positive feeling for members.
Ask what are challenges, why members do not participate – look at times of year.
Need to know what needs to be done and expectations of vol.
Poll the members as to what t hey want to do.

How can clubs collaborate within the District or internationally on service projects?
Three clubs in Oshkosh – one time per month meet to update on what is happening.
Know someone internationally.
Menomonee – Dentist working in Jamaica – recognized in Panama – one need leads to other – matching grant.
Works with club in Africa – sewing machines.
Look for projects when traveling – empower members to inquire.

PR & Service – Current PR
You Tube videos – post to website
Local newspaper article with pictures
Facebook page – promote fundraisers on it
Newspapers are starting to accept stories and photos online for the community pages
PSAs
Waking ambassadors – wear Rotary apparel
Target media for membership
Concert series – ads in program and Rotary message
Habitat for Humanity
Playground equipment for parks
Assessment of media available in area – how do they prefer to get info. Get contact to work with.
Rotary/Lions/Kiwanis joint project – good media coverage.
“Imagination Station” project
Send info on change of officers to newspapers
Ship builders tour – good publicity
Press covers events
Think outside the box to get media coverage
Use Facebook/Linkedin to publicize upcoming programs
Utilize on weekly basis
Link Facebook to Twitter
Link to Rotary groups
Information sharing
At-risk high school students meet once per month to teach skills (have graduation where students bring parents)
Meals on Wheels – club members deliver meals – good fellowship between members
Use sandwich boards and signs with Rotary emblem while working on projects – wear Rotary pins/clothing
Bright Futures Award – given to students who have overcome challenges – thru social worker/guidance counselor to target students – parents come to meeting
WCS International Dinner – all who have been overseas are invited
RYLA – future Rotarians
World Affairs Seminar
Sponsor at-risk students to attend RYLA – find students through school counselor

ROI
Making the club stronger
“The Men’s Closet” – clothing needed for men to go to interviews, etc. for low income
Communication to the community
How many members are actively participating
Establish goals – did you achieve them?
How soon do new members chair projects
Not always tangible – but can feel it
Inspiring others to become involved
Involvement of family members
Attend event in another District to help get program/projected started – share ideas
Rotary – not individual clubs benefit
Group leadership seminar – combining clubs to participate

Comments
Do NID if you are able
Web search
Call RI
Use organized tour group
Energy – surrounded by enthusiastic Rotarians – “Recharge your batteries”
The Rotary Foundation – put emphasis on the importance of supporting (we are a 4-star charity)
Talk from your heart – with passion
When did you become a Rotarian?
Club visioning process to sharpen focus of your club
Survey of service projects in both Districts and fundraisers

Past and Present – 15 years ago
Current employee
Fact or Fiction/member
How to have fun
10 questions of Rotary – trivia
Mixers – opinion lines
History minute
Service is a retention tool
Fun
Club needs to be fun

Challenges
Cost – have members do their elevator speech
Giving “new” business people a break in cost
Meal cost options
Pay as you go for meals
Must bring a guest to meeting
No meals
Networking
One meeting to do service project
Better than average programs/speakers
Who might be interested in hearing program
Members are ambassadors to business
Keep doing classification talks and reclassification talks
Rotary topics can be exciting
Share good speaker names with other clubs