Be sure to look for the Rotary name in public view and see how we promote our core values and signature service activities to the world when you see the Rotary Float into the Tournament of Roses Parade that will draw attention and make viewers ask “What is Rotary?” For more details and see the progress of the float , read on.....
Message from Joe Ramos, Chair 2018 Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee
It will grow into a 17 foot peach tree bearing 6 peaches representing Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus. Our Float theme is “Planting the Seeds of Service.” Dovetailing with some of Rotary International President Ian Riseley’s messages for this year:
Green Message: “Making a difference by planting a tree for each of its 1.2 million members by Earth Day April 22, 2018.” “I believe the greater result will be a Rotary that recognizes our responsibility not only to the people on our planet, but the planet itself.”
Peace Message: “Six Areas of Focus for Peace” – The nearly 17 foot tree bears 6 peaches representing Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus. A tag on the tree clearly shows the symbols of Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus. To further embrace the Peace and Green Messages, we will have a real sapling on the Float from one of Hiroshima’s A-Bomb survivor trees to promote peace and a green legacy.
This year we drew the attention of over 73 million viewers worldwide by winning The Princess Trophy for “the most beautiful float under 35 feet” – our fourth trophy in 14 years. There was no better way to draw attention to Rotary’s Centennial Celebration of The Rotary Foundation than to have viewers tune in to be entertained and see this award-winning Float. This resulted in more TV, social media and print coverage of our Float than ever before.
Did you know that the prestigious Association of Fundraising Professionals named The Rotary Foundation “Foundation of the Year”? Therefore, it is clear that we need to increase public awareness of our accomplishments. As Paul Harris, founder of Rotary, once said: “In the promotion of Rotary, it is important to reach large numbers – and you cannot reach them privately.” Our annual Float entry does just that!
We thank each of you for your past and continued support in time and donations. It is through your personal donations that will enable our 39th consecutive entry promoting Rotary into the Rose Parade. Please click the “Donate” button on this website to help fund the cost of this Float. Please visit this site often to read about our progress and upcoming events. Please also visit our Facebook page “Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee” to see how Rotarians enjoy the fellowship of producing award winning floats that promote Rotary to the World!
Sincerely,
Joseph Ramos III,
Chair, 2018 Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee
Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, Inc.
P.O. Box 92502
Pasadena, CA 91109-2502
Chair@rotaryfloat.org
For those on Facebook, check out Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee
OR check out https://www.rotaryfloat.org/
Why do we enter a float in the Rose Parade?
Paul Harris said, "In the promotion of Rotary, it is important to reach large numbers and you cannot reach them privately." Statistics have proven that when Rotary International and/or the Rotary Foundation creates public relations events and promotes Rotary membership increases as well as general knowledge of Rotary. By supporting the Float, you can assist in a public relations effort to do BOTH!
When Rotary International's directors approved the first entry in the parade over 38 years ago, they saw in it an unrivalled opportunity to bring Rotary's name into public view. They reasoned that an eye-catching float would capture the interest of network commentators and remind the world, of Rotary's good works. And so it has! And, this year this effort is doubly important as we are publicizing the 100 years of achievement by The Rotary Foundation!!!
Nearly 70 million households see the Rose Parade, held on January 1, 2018, The Rose Parade is seen by an estimated U.S. audience of almost 42 million households and an estimated international audience of 28 million households in over 243 territories. The Pasadena Police Department estimates that approximately 700,000 spectators view the Rose Parade in person. Another 144,000 visit the Parade Float Decorating Sites and/or the Post Parade Float Viewing Area where the floats are on display for two days. For the 38th consecutive year the Committee again proudly presents its float to North America and the world. And each year, more clubs enthusiastically contribute financial support to this most important Rotary Foundation public relations project.
RIP John Germ emphasizing at International Assembly the importance of telling the world about Rotary! Support the float which tells over 70 million throughout the world about Rotary -- easiest public relations project you ever tried!
The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee Inc. presents “Planting the Seeds of Service” as the theme of our January 1, 2018, float. The seven sustaining Districts each sponsor a walker for the Float. This year we have a total of 12 walkers and six riders. We are honoured to have 2018 Float Riders and Outwalkers - riding on the front of our Float John Matthews, Rotary International Director Zones 25/26 and Paul Netzel, Chair of The Rotary Foundation Trustees. If you would like to be considered for participation; or, know of someone who would, please contact Barry Rosenfeld as soon as possible at (661) 703-9466 or brosenfeld1@gmail.com
Does Rotary International pay for the float? Clubs and Districts in the United States and Canada donate all of the money to pay for the float.
Approximately ninety-three percent of the money raised goes to costs directly into building, decorating and entering the float in the parade. The balance of the funds raised pay for How are the contributions used?business, banking, insurance and other miscellaneous costs related to the float and hosting the RI President while attending the parade and other related activities. None of the money raised for float construction is spent on professional staff or committee perks.
How are floats selected for entry into the Rose Parade? The Tournament of Roses selects applications for Rose Parade Floats carefully. There are about 40 floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade each year. Floats are sponsored by municipalities, community volunteer organizations and commercial sector. All floats must be designed within the theme of the Rose Parade which for 2018 is “Making a Difference”. The Tournament of Roses must approve all float designs. We are fortunate to be to appear in the parade and are very proud to be a part of the prestigious Tournament of Roses New Year’s Day Parade.
Actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise, who is most famously known for his portrayal of Lt. Dan Taylor in the landmark film Forrest Gump, was announced today as the 2018 Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal! Learn more about how Gary and the Gary Sinise Foundation are making a difference through their work with veterans at http://bit.ly/2xAW7XQ!
So, you want to walk in World Famous Rose Parade on Jan 1, 2018, with our Float promoting Rotary International to over 73 million viewers and 700,000 people along the parade route?
Is this something on your bucket list?
We are offering the opportunity for Rotarians to purchase raffle tickets (only 200 to be sold) to win a walker position for $100 per ticket. It includes one grandstand ticket for their partner/guest and two tickets to our Holiday Party with RI President Ian Riseley and our Float participants (see www.RotaryFloat.org ).
Make the check payable to "Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee" with a note that it is for Float Walker Tickets and mail it to the address in the website RRPFC ATTN: Greg Jones, PO Box 92502, Pasadena, CA 91109-2502.
Your ticket will be mailed to you with an email confirmation. Winner to be announced on Dec 10. TICKETS WILL NOT BE SOLD THROUGH WEBSITE!
Or you can go directly to our website and purchase one of the two remaining walker positions outright for $6500.
We are also having a raffle for two Rose Bowl Semi-Final BCS football tickets at $20 each with a maximum of 300 being sold. Again make check payable to the above address ( TICKETS WILL NOT BE SOLD THROUGH WEBSITE) and your ticket will be mailed to you with an email confirmation. Winner to be announced at our annual Holiday Party on December 30!