Are you seeing your club through Rotary-colored glasses?
The way we see our clubs is key to our Public Image. And public image is all about public perception and opinion.
If you are reading this then you are a member of a Rotary Club, an insider. As insiders we all wear both rose-colored glasses, and more importantly, Rotary-colored glasses when we form our opinions and perceptions about our clubs. Those wearing rose-colored glasses see our clubs and members in a context the includes everything that has come before this moment. The exchange student from ten years ago, the club President who could tell the best stories, the highway clean-up the day it snowed.
Those wearing Rotary-colored glasses see our clubs through our coded language and rituals. When we announce a new Paul Harris, that it’s time for RYLA applications, that the club has points to award.
The public image of our clubs is very much influenced by us. It can and will be what we shape. If we want to know how the public sees us, then it’s time to try on the clear lenses. If the public sees older white men as representing your club, change it by making sure your Interactors and women members are included when it’s picture taking time. When the club hosts family events make sure the crowd photos reflect the range of people attending, of course only if you have photo releases especially for the kids.
Rotary is an amazing organization and Rotarians, each of us, are great people! Now we need to share ourselves, though clear lenses, so that our communities truly benefit from the impact of People of Action.