Brand confusion is hurting our organisation. Yet Rotary International's Branding and Marketing guidelines are documented fully on the Brand Center and introduced in the Learning Center. How can people still ignore these or think that they don't apply to them?

Article by PP Roslyn Teirney, Assistant Regional Public Image Coordinator

The time has come to stop making excuses about not actually looking at the resources provided by Rotary International for our clubs to survive and thrive and to start realising how fortunate we are to have such clearly articulated values, goals and ways of working.

As the Zone 8 Public Image team members bow out and we move to the new Regionalisation model, how are club and district Public Image chairs feeling?

Hopefully, proud to belong to such a well-run organisation, proud enough to wear only current and compliant Rotary-branded clothing.

Grateful to have had so many opportunities over the past three years to attend the monthly Zoom webinars to upskill and be reminded of policies and marketing tips that really make a difference to the effectiveness of your publicity.

Confident that we have so many clubs who have adopted the People of Action campaign guidelines and incorporated learnings about diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Rotary values are service, fellowship, leadership, diversity and integrity. Our photos and posts should reflect and emphasise these.

Who are our Rotary people of action? Smart, compassionate, inspiring and persevering individuals who come together to do good in the world.

Our brand is what others think of us, not only how we see ourselves. So don't order clothing in a non-compliant colour that undermines the Rotary brand please. Go to the Brand Center, select Brand Elements and check the authorised colours and fonts there.

Have you disposed of or archived all the non-compliant signs in your district and club storerooms? Our brand is more than a logo and Rotary's brand is much bigger than our wheel, but for people to perceive our organisation as relevant and trustworthy, we need to be compliant with the brand decisions taken by the Rotary International board.

Thank you to all Rotary volunteers who have supported PDG Sarita McLean and all the Assistant Rotary Public Image Coordinators on the Zone 8 team. It has been an honour working with you to build up Rotary's reputation and respect in the community by being guides on the side and living our Rotary values as we inspire each other.