Strengthening the Rotary Brand and the End Polio Now efforts.

   Strengthen Rotary Brand

There have been many inquiries about the status of Rotary’s efforts to Strengthen the Rotary Brand and we understand the need for the most up-to-date information.  In May the RI Board approved a “Project Steering Committee” to take full ownership of all facets of the branding initiative.  Please refer to the attached document for a more detailed update.  Also attached, please find the latest branding information. At this time the information is only available in English but materials in languages are expected to be ready in time for the respective Institutes. We will provide these to you as they become available.

Polio Update

We wanted to share a ‘sneak preview’ of the new EndPolioNow website (here).  This website is designed to be a place where people can get information about the ongoing eradication efforts, make donations, and link to other related resources.  We will be asking you to help promote the site very soon, in multiple languages.  Some important dates relating to the End Polio effort:

·         7 September: End Polio Now webinar, designed to share the website, communications plan for the year and discuss the importance of advocacy.  Invitations will be sent soon.

·         27 September: United Nations high-level call to action meeting, designed to continue the emergency momentum in polio eradication.

Rotary in the news

Following are recent stories placed by RPIC Joe Otin and RPIC Ayoub Ayoub (Thanks for sharing!):

New Vision – August 3, 2012

Uganda leading daily, ran several stories about President Sakuji Tanaka’s visit to Africa.  He spent time with Ugandan Vice-President Edward Ssekandi and officiated at the handover ceremony of the new cancer ward being constructed by Rotary.  Read the story (here).

Youm7 – Numerous dates

Sixteen Rotary success stories received media coverage in Egypt between May and August.  Highlights include a story about Rotary’s participation in donating 2800 Ramadan supply boxes and coverage of a symposium held in Heliopolis designed to dispel the notion that Rotary is linked to Masonry.

As always, thank you for your dedicated service and I am available for any questions, comments or brainstorming .

Kind regards,

Michelle Gasparian

Public Relations Specialist

ROTARYINTERNATIONAL

(847) 866-3254

Michelle.Gasparian@rotary.org

Skype: michelle.gasparian.rotarypr

www.rotary.org/mediacenter