Rotarian Action Groups (RAGs) Zuhal Sharp, Service & Networking Programs Specialist Rotary Service Connections

Rotarian Action Groups | 2 Rotarian Action Groups? Who are they? International groups of Rotarians, Rotarians’ family members, Rotary program participants and alumni. What do they do? Help clubs and districts plan and implement projects in a particular area of service. Why do they do it? Because they either have relevant expertise, or a personal interest, in a particular type of service activity.

Rotarian Action Groups | 3 RAGs: worldwide statistics 22 RAGs currently in good standing 28,731 RAG members reported worldwide 20,000+ members of the largest RAG (Population and Sustainable Development) >140 countries represented by RAG members Average dues: $20 annual, $100 lifetime (if offered) Largest revenue in 2014: RFHA with $660,000 Second largest revenue: Wasrag with $173,000 Average revenue for the rest: $6,500

Rotarian Action Groups | 4 RAG and the Areas of Focus Most RAGs view themselves not only as specific subject-matter resources, but as resources in an Area of Focus.

Rotarian Action Groups | 5 RAG Topics PCPR (2) Child Slavery Prevention Peace DPT (13) Alzheimer’s/Dementia Blindness Prevention Blood Donation Dental Volunteers Diabetes Family Health/AIDS Health Education and Wellness Hearing Food Plant Solutions Hunger and Malnutrition Malaria Multiple Sclerosis Polio Survivors WASH (1) Water and Sanitation MCH (2) Preconception Care (NEW) Population and Development BEL (1) Literacy ECD (2) Endangered Species (NEW) Microfinance OTHER: Disaster Assistance (NEW)

Rotarian Action Groups | 6 Examples of Rotarian Action Groups

Rotarian Action Groups | 7 Examples of Rotarian Action Groups RFHA helps Rotarians: Conduct hands-on, global service projects that address issues of HIV/AIDS and family health.

Rotarian Action Groups | 8 Rotarians for Family Health & AIDs Prevention Signature program: Rotary Family Health Days Annual event providing comprehensive health services (lifelong immunizations to children and annual screens for adults such as HIV, TB, Malaria, Diabetes, Hypertension and more) in hundreds of locations across Africa. In 2014: – 564 Rotary clubs participated; 8,151 volunteers – 402 locations in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, and South Africa – 343,622 people received services – $18 million in value (includes volunteer time) – Leveraged a $580,000 grant from Coca-Cola – $175,000 in TRF grants

Rotarian Action Groups | 9 Examples of Rotarian Action Groups WASRAG help clubs and districts: Undertake and collaborate on projects related to water and sanitation. Find appropriate technologies for WASH projects. Identify “best practices” and “lessons learned”. Leverage resources from non-Rotary WASH organizations

Rotarian Action Groups | 10 RAG for Population Development (RFPD) Signature program: Improvement of maternal health in Nigeria – Piloted in 10 hospitals in rural Northern Nigeria, where maternal mortality rates are among the world’s highest – Supported by Rotarians and public/private partners in Germany, Austria, and Nigeria for a total budget of $3 million – After 5 years, maternal mortality reduced by 60% and newborn mortality reduced by 15% in participating hospitals – Program then transitioned to the local government for sustainability – Program is now scaling up to include hospitals in other parts of Nigeria

Rotarian Action Groups | 11 RAG for Population Development Mother and Child waiting for an examination at a project hospital

Rotarian Action Groups | 12 Examples of Rotarian Action Groups Helps Rotarians by: Hosting microcredit conferences to educate interested Rotarians. Guiding them thru the process of gaining financial support for microcredit and community development related projects. Sourcing field trips, study and employment opportunities for Rotary members. RAG for Microfinance and Community Development

Rotarian Action Groups | 13 Examples of Rotarian Action Groups Literacy Blood Donation Peace Child Slavery

Rotarian Action Groups | 14 Why RAGs?  Provide technical project advice and support (impact)  Help clubs and districts plan & implement large-scale projects  Identify international Rotarian partners and funding  (TRF 30% Requirement)  Serve as a connection to outside organizations (partners/resources)  Spearhead high-quality global grant templates  Rotarians for Hearing-Rotarian Action Group and RAG for Peace

Rotarian Action Groups | 15 How to Get Involved…

Rotarian Action Groups | 16 Individual Visit to find more information about RAGs. View the list of current RAGs and their websites in the Rotarian Action Groups Flyer Rotarian Action Groups Flyer Contact a group that interests you directly using contact information found in the Rotarian Action Groups Directory.Rotarian Action Groups Directory. Contact RI at

Rotarian Action Groups | 17 Club Refer to RAGs' expertise while planning and carrying out service projects. Leverage RAGs’ international Rotary and non-Rotary connections to find international partners and resources for your projects. Invite local RAG officers to speak to your weekly club meeting about their work. Collaborate with other clubs on a local or international service project that would benefit from the expertise of RAG.

Rotarian Action Groups | 18 Propose a New RAG

Rotarian Action Groups | 19 Becoming A RAG To apply to become a RAG, prospective groups must first: Contact RI at to learn about the policies and procedures for forming a prospective Secure at least 25 prospective members representing at least five countries and three zones, who share a common interest in a specific service activity. Complement the service activities of Rotarians, clubs and districts and not conflict with the purposes of an existing RAG or Rotary program. Submit a detailed proposal, including an action plan that outlines how the group plans to accomplish its service goals and what types of projects it intends to promote or conduct.

Rotarian Action Groups | 20 Questions?

Rotarian Action Groups | 21 Contact Rotary International Rotary Service Connections Phone: