There have been a few questions that have been reported both formally and informally about the money being suggested for use on the proposed Public Image Campaign.
I realize you have received two emails about this, but I thought I would add some clarifying information in the newsletter also.
So here goes…
- The actual money is coming from a bank account surplus that has accumulated over many years.
- Normally when we reconcile the bank account with our accounting software (QuickBooks does not carry over excess funds to the next budget year) the excess goes into our reserve fund (or out of the reserve fund in a deficit year).
- Rotary International recommends each District have a reserve fund that covers 70% of the annual budget.
- We have approximately $85,000 in our reserve fund. This is basically 100% of our annual budget.
- Taking $13,300 (maximum—if less, we will return it to reserves) out of that would put us at 85% of our annual budget in the reserve fund. Still well above the threshold recommended.
- The money being used does NOT come from this year’s (2020-21) budget surplus. We are proposing the Clubs receive that money back.
- We will be putting out RFPs for bids to do any of the professional work we need to implement the campaign. We strongly encourage any Rotarian to submit for this work.
- The bid from Million Storytellers (Jared Bakewell’s company) is a 70% discount and is there for example that we can do what is proposed for the small price tag.
- I am grateful that we have amazing talent like Jared’s in our membership that is willing to not only share their talent but step up to serve and lead. All are welcomed, valued, and appreciated.
- If anyone else can meet or beat that bid and can do the job, we will excitedly go with them.
- We would love to get this all via donation, but it is unrealistic to expect that, so we want to be prepared. Again, if we do not use it, we will replace it.
- We will be 100% transparent with this process.
- The purpose is for marketing our Clubs to the general public in our communities across the District.
- As you read the proposal, we do not have an effective public facing digital media presence. This will provide that.
- It will allow the District to aid in recruiting members for the Clubs. The Clubs will still be “making the sale” and we still ask members to ask folks to join. This gives the Clubs the resources to peak interest in potential members and raise the notoriety of the Club in their community.
Okay, so that is the business side. Here is the fun part!
- We have so much great stuff going on in our Clubs. You people are amazing! Our communities need to know that!
- For example, did you know that as a District in a multi-district project, spearheaded by our DG Roxy, we raised enough money (over $35,000) to provide over 100,000 meals to our neighbors all over Nebraska and Southwest Iowa? Does your community know that was us? Would any of them like to be part of such an organization that can do such things?
- They need to know that we are the place to be (stole that from Lincoln 14—it is working for them, they are up over 45 members this year!). I hope that is okay, Eric!
- There are amazing people out there looking for an opportunity to serve, that fit our values, and would bring incredible talent and energy to our Clubs. We may not know them yet. They need to be able to find us!
- We can be the place that people engage in service and feel that incredible sense of belonging and purpose. We are Rotary, this is who we are! Time to shout it from the rooftops, or in this case the digital platforms.
ANY questions, comments, concerns, ideas, contributions are VERY welcome. Please reach out.
Spiral Up!
~Carol
402-871-8414