In 2011, Rotary launched an initiative to strengthen our image, expand public understanding of what we do, and engage and inspire current and prospective members, donors, and partners.
 

As part of that effort, we established an internal definition of our brand, confirming Rotary as the organization that joins leaders from all continents, cultures, and occupations, who exchange ideas on solving some of the world’s toughest problems, and then take action to bring lasting change to communities around the world.
 

Rotarians have been working hard to tell the story of our impact in their communities. Thanks to their efforts, our public awareness levels globally have grown from 60 percent in 2012 to 75 percent in 2015.
 

But there’s still work to be done.
 

Our most recent research tells us that the public still doesn’t have a true understanding of what Rotary stands for, how we’re different, why we matter, or the impact we make. They don’t know what we do in local communities or what role we’ve played in the effort to end polio. And nearly 60 percent of those surveyed said they were unaware that a Rotary club exists in their own community.
 

As our next step in the brand strengthening initiative, we’re introducing our latest global public image campaign: People of Action. This campaign brings the Rotary story to life in a way that narrows the gap between public awareness and understanding.
 

The People of Action campaign communicates the essence of Rotary and reflects our values, such as:
 

  • We build lifelong relationships.
  • We honor our commitments.
  • We connect diverse perspectives.
  • We apply our leadership and expertise to solve social issues.


It tells our story in our own voice, which is:
 

  • Smart — we are insightful and discerning.
  • Compassionate — we tackle community challenges with empathy and understanding.
  • Persevering — we find lasting solutions to systemic problems.
  • Inspiring — we encourage others to take action, conveying hope, enthusiasm, and passion.


As a Rotarian, you’re also a brand ambassador. You can tell the story of Rotary and how we are people of action in communities worldwide.
 

To spread this narrative in a clear, consistent, and compelling way, we developed People of Action campaign materials in the Brand Center: print, digital, and outdoor advertisements, as well as videos and other marketing resources. We want to ensure that all Rotarians can support our effort to enhance awareness and understanding of Rotary.
 

Our story hasn’t changed. But how we share it with the world is vital to our future. Through a unified Rotary image and a clear, compelling voice, we are enhancing our legacy as one of the most respected organizations in the world.
 

Want to help tell the Rotary story? Read our Messaging Guide.