Sunday, November 13, 2016

Making Projects Bigger Helps Create Bigger Public Image

One of the major concern of the Rotary clubs, or for that matter any NGO is, to have a better public image, a good media exposure, and recognition of the efforts.

This requires responding to community needs, or 'pain points' with specific projects that help the larger groups of people to benefit.

Polio had been a case in point. The project grew from Philippines into a larger-than-life efforts to eradicate polio from the world. And year after year, we have seen this project grow reaching out to much larger beneficiaries, responding to a cause which was a major concern of the people around the globe.

A Rotary club should look at their city and identify crying needs of the society.  If one area needs a tree cover, look for all the areas in the entire city which requires tree covers.  Talk to the local government, the horticulture departments, engage with local schools and colleges, Rotaractors and Interactors, and plan the project that would have wider impact.

Media requires news.  Story that impacts larger numbers. Story, that is of larger public interest. Story that is shared with the media at the right time.

For further help and information just send me an email, Rtn. CJ Singh,Email Me

District 3080 honours Past Rotary International President Raja Saboo

Raja, as he is fondly known, was honoured by the Rotarians of District 3080 at the Intercity 'Look Beyond' organised near Ambala (Haryana) today, to commemorate 100 years of The Rotary Foundation.

DG Raman Aneja described the occasion as the most memorable one, while the chief guest of the day PDG Kamal Sanghvi, Regional Rotary Foundation Chair remarked that this day celebrates the commitment, dedication of Rajendra K. Saboo, towards Rotary, to humanity, to the world, to his country, and more importantly, to his own self.

He is an individual who is an institution in himself, showing the way to the people to 'Look Beyond Yourself', RRFC Kamal Sanghvi said.  In his inspirational address he touched upon the topic of the joy of giving.

It was 25 years before that the Rajendra K. Saboo of RI District 3080 held the world leadership of Rotary International in 1991-92, and this special occasion was celebrated by the Rotarians of District 3080 by honouring him.

Recalling the days and especially post-nomination the expectations everyone had from being an Indian as to what would be the advantages he would bring to India, and his response at one such prestigious reception in the Parliament House, hosted by the then Secretary General of Rajya Sabha, Sudershan Agarwal, provided the basis for his theme.

Raja Saboo recalled that on being asked by everyone at the party, he had to respond that though this position would be a matter of pride for the Indians and India as a country, but having born here with the value and culture of giving to others, this position would be an opportunity for me to look beyond my ownself, for the larger humanity.

"Later, as we were returning from the reception, my wife Usha asked me 'do you know what did you say there', and recalling my speech, she suggested that 'Look Beyond Yourself' would be the perfect theme for your Rotary year," he said.

Applauding the Rotary Club of Yamunanagar for adopting a girl child of a martyred army jawan, he implored every Club to look for such families of army jawans in their vicinity and adopt the child not as a formality, but for a life-time of commitment to see to it that all her education is taken care of, so that the girl remembers that her father is still respected and remembered for his sacrifice.