RI President Gary Huang urged all Rotarians to Light up Rotary this year by participating in a Rotary Day- a fun informal event in the community to introduce the non-Rotary public to Rotary. On January 24th 2015 the Rotary Club of Burnaby Metrotown and the Burnaby Rotaract Club in District 5040 partnered with  Canlan Burnaby 8 Rinks to offer a Rotary Free Public Skate.

 

Club President Gloria Staudt stated “It  was a big success...everything came together beautifully....Our partners in Canlan Burnaby 8 Rinks were happy to see so many people there, the best ever for them.”

The club involved Rotaractors on the planning committee and had display boards for Rotary and Rotaract.  Canlan 8 Rinks hung skate, polio and peace fellowship banners on the lobby railings the day before the event so their customers could see them.

The Club promoted the event widely in their community:

  • a large banner hung on two local overpasses
  • ads in the local  Burnaby Now newspaper
  • an editorial mention in both community papers
  • included on Burnaby 8 Rinks Public Skate schedule
  • flyer on the club website and Burnaby 8 rinks website
  • on vancity buzz
  • a flyer was sent to 72 local schools, circulated by members and posted on various community bulletin boards
  • submitted to local papers calendar of events listings

They filled to capacity the maximum number of skaters (175) for each of the 2 skate times.  This event involved 350 skaters plus those who were walking around watching or talking with Rotarians about Rotary and Rotaract

They had 15 Rotarians show up to help along with 10 Rotaractors  plus 3 friend helpers.  One Rotarian and one Rotaract did face painting and the Rotaractors made cotton candy. They gave out bottles of water with the new Rotary logo and hot chocolate to parents and kids. Kids got goodie bags to take home.  They gave out What is Rotary cards, Start with Rotary post cards, 2014 Rotary Facts brochure and past issues of the Rotarian

Gloria went on to say this was “Truly a great community event and team work including Rotaractors, business partner and partial sponsorship by Burnaby Now newspaper.  Everyone won and had a great time!”

Holding a Rotary Day can help your club increase membership, strengthen relationships between the club and local organizations and community members, and improve Rotary’s image in your community. Is your club planning a community event to Light up Rotary? Check out Rotary Days on the RI website at https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/rotary-days and learn more about hosting and celebrating a Rotary Day for your club.

Imagine the collective impact if all the clubs in our District and around the world made a concerted effort to introduce the public to the fun and rewarding experiences we all enjoy as Rotarians.                                                                                          

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