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 Rotarian thought Rotary was for businessmen Rotary included women recently, but thought it was only for business women Rotary is exclusive and mysterious no-one knew about the humanitarian work our clubs do imagine what we can achieve (membership wise) if that secret was known Can we do something to change people’s view of what Rotary is?

Involuntary Messages Deliberate Messages Public Image 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 Messages Club 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 Messages Rituals: National Anthem Prayers / Invocations Toasts Sergeant Session Order / Formality / Punctuality Dress standard Guest Speaker Quality Venue / Meal Quality Language Rotary’s Body Language

Remember: If the involuntary messages are unattractive… … It doesn’t matter how attractive the voluntary 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!

RCE Website

Deliberate Messages Control our eradicating Polio providing clean water youth programs peace & conflict resolution great training opportunities meet wonderful people promote literacy Involuntary Messages 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 acronyms They don’t care about our Club Bylaws or Constitution They 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!