As we reflect on the progress of the Communications Action Plan (CAP), it’s evident that the efforts of dedicated teams across Zones 33 and 34 are driving significant advancements in public image and communication strategies. The CAP is built around supporting four primary goals:
- Identifying District Public Image Chairs (DPICs).
- Identifying Club Public Image Chairs (CPICs).
- Ensuring club websites are brand compliant.
- Encouraging clubs to engage in public-facing events.
Let’s dive into the progress we’ve made and the steps ahead for each goal.
Goal 1: District Public Image Chairs – Amplifying Impact
The RPIC (Rotary Public Image Coordinator) teams face the challenge of limited bandwidth and reach. To overcome this, a crucial objective is to appoint District Public Image Chairs (DPICs) who can amplify resources and messages.
We’re thrilled to announce a major milestone: every district in Zones 33 and 34 now has a designated DPIC. This success is a direct result of the District Challenge initiative, which has strengthened collaboration between districts and the CAP team. DPICs are pivotal in helping clubs access and utilize resources, furthering Rotary’s mission at the grassroots level.
Goal 2: Club Public Image Chairs – Connecting with Clubs
While Rotary thrives at the club level, connecting with individual clubs requires an identified Public Image Chair in each club. Currently, we’ve achieved:
- Over 55% of clubs across Zones 33 and 34 with a CPIC.
- In Zone 34, where the EPIC Award has been in place for five years, 80% of clubs have CPICs, with 50% of districts achieving 100% participation.
- In Zone 33, the EPIC Award is in its second year, and we’re seeing steady progress, though CPICs are identified in less than 50% of clubs.
To maintain continuity, the final task of the EPIC Award is to identify the CPIC and president for the upcoming year, ensuring a seamless transition and sustained momentum.
Goal 3: Brand-Compliant Websites – Showcasing a Unified Image
Brand compliance is essential for presenting a consistent, professional image of Rotary. Through the July EPIC Award public image audit, we reviewed websites to assess logo usage and adherence to Rotary’s brand guidelines.
- In Zone 33, a smaller sample showed nearly full compliance, with only one site lacking any logo.
- In Zone 34, where over 100 websites were reviewed, 20% had logo-related issues, primarily outdated or mixed branding.
Encouraging trends include increased participation in branding-related courses on the Learning Center and strong engagement in webinars like “Check Yo Self,” which focuses on logo compliance. With continued support, we anticipate further growth in brand-compliant websites.
Goal 4: Public-Facing Events – Engaging Communities
Public-facing events are a cornerstone of Rotary’s mission, and clubs across Zones 33 and 34 are actively sharing their impactful work through the EPIC Award. The award provides a platform for clubs to showcase initiatives such as:
- World Polio Day events.
- Foundation promotion activities.
- People of Action campaigns.
These submissions not only celebrate club achievements but also serve as resources for other clubs to emulate successful strategies.
Enhancing CAP Through Sub-Committees
To strengthen the CAP, we’ve launched four sub-committees: Web, Technology, Social Media, and Communications.
- The Web team, led by Caroline Blochlinger, is focusing on enhancing Zone websites and managing digital assets.
- The Technology team is developing best practices for tools like Zoom, Dropbox, and domain management.
- The Social Media team, headed by Sean Paddy, is refining strategies to minimize noise and optimize message delivery.
- The Communications team is streamlining outreach to ensure consistent and efficient communication.
Looking Ahead
As we enter the calendar year and prepare for the new Rotary year, we encourage you to leverage CAP resources. Invite us to your District Assembly or club meetings to discuss the EPIC Award, branding strategies, or how to share Rotary’s story effectively.
Together, we’ll continue to make Zones 33 and 34 shining examples of Rotary’s impact worldwide.
Let’s keep the momentum going!
