September is Basic Education and Literacy Month, making it the perfect time for a little Public Image learning.
Public Image is always evolving. New tools, new resources and new ways to connect with people give us plenty of opportunities to learn.
Whether you’re a new Public Image Chair, a longtime Rotarian, or simply someone who wants to feel more confident talking about Rotary, there’s always something new to discover.
And Rotary has created some terrific places to start.
Learn Where to Look
The Rotary Learning Center
Think of the Learning Center as your Rotary classroom—available whenever you’re ready to learn.
Explore courses and resources covering Rotary knowledge, leadership, membership, communications, Public Image and more.
Your September assignment: Choose one topic that interests you and spend a little time learning something new.
Explore the Rotary Learning Center
The Rotary Brand Center
Consider the Brand Center your Public Image toolbox.
Official Rotary logos, colors, fonts, photography, videos, templates, People of Action resources and more are gathered in one place.
Before creating something from scratch, take a look through the Brand Center. You may find a resource that gives your next project a head start—and saves you time.
Did You Know?
Rotary is a global brand recognized around the world.
Your club’s official Rotary logo connects your club to that larger Rotary family while identifying your club in your community.
Rotary provides the guidelines and templates to create your official club logo using the correct Rotary Masterbrand, club name, proportions and colors.
Use the Rotary guidelines to create your official logo—and use your creativity to tell the unique story of your club.
Create or download your official Rotary club logo
Rotary also has official colors, typography and other visual elements that help create a consistent and recognizable Rotary presence.
The goal is recognition, while giving every club the freedom to tell its own story.
Know Your 30-Second Rotary Story
Here’s another Public Image basic worth learning:
What do you say when someone asks, “What is Rotary?”
Many Rotarians can talk enthusiastically about their club’s latest project. The challenge can be putting the bigger Rotary story into a few simple sentences.
Try building your own 30-second Rotary story around three ideas:
ROTARY + ME + IMPACT
ROTARY: What is Rotary?
ME: Why are you involved?
IMPACT: What difference are you helping make?
For example:
“Rotary is a global network of people who come together to make a difference in their communities and around the world. I joined because I wanted to meet people who care about our community and turn that concern into action. Our club works on projects that support our community, and I love seeing what we can accomplish when people come together.”
Make it yours. Talk about the cause that motivates you, the people you’ve met, the project that inspired you or the reason you keep showing up.
The best Rotary story is one you can tell naturally.
Start with Rotary. Share what it means to you. Then, if they’re interested, tell them about your club—and invite them to experience Rotary for themselves.
AI Assist
AI can even help you practice.
Try this prompt:
“Help me create a warm, conversational 30-second introduction to Rotary. I am involved because [insert your reason]. Our club is involved in [insert project or cause]. Make it sound natural and personal, not like a sales pitch.”
Try a few versions and choose the one that sounds most like you.
Your goal is confidence and authenticity.
Trend Watch
One of the most valuable Public Image trends is something that never goes out of style:
Learn from each other.
Across District 5030, clubs are creating clever campaigns, successful events, engaging graphics, memorable fundraisers and meaningful community partnerships.
See an idea you love? Ask about it.
Discover a useful tool? Share it.
Find an approach that works? Pass it along.
One club’s good idea can become another club’s great idea.
Play of the Month
Learn ONE. Share ONE. Try ONE.
Make September a month of small discoveries.
LEARN ONE — Explore the Learning Center, visit the Brand Center or pick up a new Public Image skill.
SHARE ONE — Pass along something useful to a fellow Rotarian.
TRY ONE — Put your new knowledge into action.
One new skill can lead to one better conversation—and one better conversation can lead to a new connection.
The September 3×3 Challenge
3 People. 3 Conversations. 1 Invitation.
This month, let’s take the 3×3 Challenge out into the community.
1️⃣ Meet someone new.
Start a genuine conversation. Ask a question. Learn something about them.
2️⃣ Share your 30-second Rotary story.
Tell them what Rotary means to you and why you are involved.
3️⃣ Make an invitation.
Invite them to a Rotary meeting, service project, social gathering or another Rotary experience.
Then share what you learned from the conversation.
Because Public Image is more than what we publish.
It’s about the people we reach.
PI QUICK LINKS
Rotary Learning Center — Courses and resources to help you continue learning and growing as a Rotarian.
Explore the Rotary Learning Center
Rotary Brand Center — Official logos, colors, templates, images, videos and storytelling resources.
Rotary Logos & Graphics — Guidance and templates for creating and using your official club logo.
YOUR SEPTEMBER PI PLAY
Learn something.
Share something.
Meet someone new.
Invite someone in.
Education opens doors. In Rotary, learning can open doors to new friendships, new ideas, new members, new partnerships and new opportunities to serve.
This month, explore a Rotary resource. Learn something new. Practice your 30-second Rotary story. Visit another club. Start a conversation. Share what you know. Invite someone to experience Rotary.
Because sometimes the most powerful Public Image isn’t something we post.
It’s a conversation.
And that conversation may be the beginning of someone’s Rotary story.
Every Rotary Club Has a Story Worth Telling.
Your story matters. Tell it well.
