Public Relations Newsletter District 6420 April 1997

Community Service and Fun

Dixon Rotary Club entered the recent Stupor Bowl, the first annual DIxon Public Schools Foundation fund raiser. Over $5000 was raised as 26 teams competed by answering history and trivia questions. The Rotary team handily defeated all comers until running into, or should I say, being run over by the Illinois Department of Transportation's team in the finals. The Stupor Bowl was held the Saturday before the Super Bowl.

Moline Rotary Club sponsored a Sweethearts Day in February. Members were encouraged to bring their sweetheart for a party at Rotary. the social committee organized activities and prizes. Two great prizes were given out, a necklace from a local jewelry store and a weekend package from a local hotel. Everybody received sweets.

Rockford After Hours is a provisional club which meets on Monday evenings at Giovanni's Restaurant in the Goodfellow Room.

5:30 PM Social Time

6:00-6:45 PM Program

6:45 PM - ? Dinner There is no charge to attend the meeting. A cash bar is available during the social time. If you stay for dinner, you may join them in the dining room.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards May 16-18 in Oregon, IL.

RYLA is for high school sophomores and juniors offering an opportunity for leadership development. The fee per student is

$120, except for exchange students and repeat participants, for whom it is $60. The Students come away with a felling of pride and accomplishment. They also come away enthused about Rotary and become excellent candidates for Interact clubs in your town, and eventually as members of your club. Find a candidate from your area TODAY!!!

Your club is eligible for the Engel Challenge. You may contact anyone on the Membership Development Committee for help. One simple way is to be sure to invite a prospective member to your club every week. Should your club achieve 10% membership growth in 1996/97, it may receive $1000. There are no restrictions on what the club may do with the $1000.

Membership Development and Retention

Take advantage of every opportunity to take pictures and get them published in the local paper. Utilize radio and television. Does your local station have something like a Community Forum? Have inbound and outbound exchange students interviewed. Have new officers interviewed. Special Projects? Have the chairperson interviewed. Recruit parents of exchange students.

Public Relations - Approaching the Media

There are several ways to take your story to the media. Whatever approach is chosen, be persuasive, persistent and friendly - not aggressive. The most effective methods depend on the journalist's own preferences. By phone. the media are often bombarded with mail. Many editors prefer a brief (under two minutes) phone description of your story, along with reasons why it would be of interest to their readers or viewers. Reporters can tell you instantly whether they are interested, or if they'd like you to send additional information. By mail. Use the mail for sending one-page letters containing your ideas or background materials for stories that don't have an immediate deadline By fax. Faxes are inexpensive, fast and you know a journalist received your material. But faxing has limitations. Most reporters discourage unsolicited faxes, particularly for non-timely releases. Newsrooms have limited fax lines which are often clogged with unwanted news releases. Use the fax method for information that has been requested by a reporter or materials that are timely. You have a great story and beautiful photos - but still no interest. What can you do? Accept the reporters decision. Arguing with reporters only alienates them and will hurt your chances of placing future stories.

Clubs in Action So Others can Read by Pamela Erby

In NOvember of 1996, Rock Falls Rotary Club's 23 members participated in an annual party to support fund raising efforts for a new library in their community. This November, the Rotarians will, again, participate in the annual "Calendar Party" event. They will be joined by other local service clubs and fraternal organizations. Each sponsoring a party based on a theme that is significant to the month each club has been assigned. The twelve parties will be held in one large room and on the same evening. Rock Falls Rotary Club and the other organizations are responsible for selling tickets to their party event. Ticket sales vary according to the number of days in the month represented (28-31). On the day of the event, members enjoy decorating the table around the theme of their choice, while others prepare the main entree that will be served at their party. The facility, all other food, beverages and supplies are prepared and/or donated by community groups that do not sponsor and table. The "Calendar Part" also involves the seniors and your groups who help with the event. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are assigned to tables to fill water glasses and serve coffee. The scouts are then treated to their own pizza party in a separate room while the "Calendar Party" guests dine. The pizza is donated by a local restaurant. After dinner, the scouts help clear tables and assist in the kitchen with dishes. Clubs become very creative and competitive in attempting to attract attendees of the other parties via raffles, simple games of chance,, etc, for all participants to join in. This raises additional funds for each club to donate to the cause. The uniqueness of this event is bringing the community together. Community service and fraternal organizations all in one building, working side by side, with the common goal to provide a library. The "Calendar Part" has raised approximate;y $700-800 per event. All proceeds are given to the not-for-profit organization K.I.D.D.S.S. Inc, for the new library building fund.