The Perception of Rotary (1)
In 2008-09, Rotary International commissioned some non-Rotarian professional organisations to
assess the perceptions of Rotary within two specific demographic groups:
Professional women 30+ years of age, and
Professional men 30 - 45 years of age.
Focus groups were conducted in Sydney, Johannesburg and Buenos Aires. The results were presented by R.I. Membership Development Division Manager Donna McDonald to the Regional R.I.
Membership Coordinators Training Seminar in February 2009.
Specific objectives of the research project were on:
Interest in and awareness of volunteering.
Awareness & perception of Rotary International or a local Rotary club.
Why would they or why would they not be interested in joining a local Rotary club.
Awareness of Volunteer Based Organization:
When asked about groups providing humanitarian and volunteer options the organizations mentioned:
Amnesty International, Unicef, Habitat for Humanity
Oxfam, Green Peace, World Vision, Make A Wish, St. Vincent De Paul
Many local concerns were also noted and included the following actions or focus: animal welfare,
school feeding schemes, soup kitchens, housing projects, education and literacy, public health and HIV/AIDS, and street children. Rotary International or local Rotary clubs were not readily mentioned in any of the regions surveyed.
Perception of Rotary (2)
When asked about Rotary International, most respondents did recall hearing about Rotary International, Rotary fundraising events or local Rotary clubs. There was a general positive impression that Rotary did good work. When asked about Rotary clubs the following functions were mentioned:
Community activities with youth
Shelter boxes with Burma, provide scholarships, exchange programs
Well set up, they compete with Lions
"With Rotary, they do a bit of this, a bit of that, you don't really know what drives them."
"It's a male bonding thing where businesses are advanced….…but personally I don't connect with them…"
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Business, Business, men, elite, secretive, older, wealthy and largely based on former rules. |
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Not 'sexy', not 'trendy', inflexible, not sure that women are allowed into local clubs. |
perception that WOMEN are not allowed or welcome into Rotary.
Some of the comments and observations made may be considered harsh and reflect negatively.
HOWEVER ITS UP TO YOU AND ALL OF US TO CHANGE THIS PERCEPTION.
Rotary Club of Myrtleford
Chair District Public Relations Committee
(M) 0407 490 800
e-mail: pr@rotary9790.org.au
