Rotary International President Ian Riseley has challenged clubs to take some fairly simple steps to achieve the 2017-18 Rotary Citation. https://my.rotary.org/en/news-media/office-president/rotary-citationClubs that are strong and are "Making A Difference" in their communities will automatically be recognized for their goals but they need to let Rotary International know about it by recording it on Rotary Club Central (RCC) , Rotary Showcase and Rotary Ideas. (To find these simply go to rotary.org and log into My Rotary )
Two things are mandatory.
Firstly, clubs must pay their Rotary International dues on time in July and January. Secondly, all clubs must report their volunteer hours and service project contributions in Rotary Club Central. The reason for this is that it will allow Rotary International to quantify our impact on our local and global communities. This is critical for Rotary International to attract and retain major partners like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation . It also helps Districts and Clubs tell their stories to their supporters. Every club has at least one member who is good at keeping records. Let the Four Way Test apply to your estimate of volunteer hours.
The rest of the Presidential Citation follows the three areas of the Rotary Strategic Plan.
- Support and Strengthen Clubs - achieve 4 out of 8 goals, including ones like "set at least 10 goals in RCC" ;"Update your Strategic Plan in RCC"; "achieve a net gain in membership"; "achieve a net gain in female members" and "achieve a net gain in members under 40".
- Focus and Increase Humanitarian Service - achieve 4 out of 9 goals, including ones like "sponsor or club members participate in a polio fundraising or awareness event - Report in Rotary Showcase under polio category"; "sponsor at least one global or district grant"; "carry out an environment project (like tree planting) - report in Rotary Showcase"; "work with another club on a project - report in the Rotary Showcase"; "Involve Interactors or Rotaracters in a sustainable project - Report in RCC; and "Increase your support for The Rotary Foundation: (a) by 10% over 2016 levels (b) the number of members who donate $US25 or more and/or (c) minimum Annual Fund contribution of US$100 per member."
- Enhance Rotary's Public Image and Awareness - achieve 4 out of 8 goals including ones like "use Rotary's brand guidelines, templates and other resources in all communications - report in RCC"; "Regularly update your website and social media accounts - report in RCC"; "Host and Promote a World Polio day Event - register it on endpolio.org"; "Host a networking event in your community and report it on RCC"; "Establish/continue a partnership on a project with a corporation, not for profit or government for a project - report it on RCC"; "Have local media cover a club project, event or fundraiser - report in RCC or the Rotary Showcase."
Most of these goals are very easy to achieve - in fact your club may have already achieved them! Please take the time to report them on Rotary Club Central,the Rotary Showcase or endpolio.org.
Good luck! But remember, achieving the Citation is one thing - the true "win" is that your club will be "high performing" and Making A Difference in your local and world communities.
DG Don