Service, both local and international, defines Rotary’s character, is the basis for its appeal and visibility in the community, and is the reason Rotary continues to grow. Community Service responds to the needs of the local community. The top Community Service priorities for clubs are determined by examining the assets and needs in the local community and developing a response. This ensures that Rotary will not function in isolation, but be an active part of the community with projects that are relevant and effective.

The approach to selecting and implementing a service project is the same regardless of what issue the club decides to address. The following steps can help your club to truly identify their niche in the community and to develop effective service projects.

Bring together a group of community members, including Rotarians and Rotary Community Corps members, to discuss the community’s strengths and weaknesses. What are the assets in the community? What are the needs? Which direction is the community heading and how are community members involved in these changes? What is the vision for the community that the members should strive toward?

The discussion will help the Rotary club identify where their resources and talents could be best utilized. The discussion will also help identify partners with whom the club can work in addressing particular issues. Use a Rotary club or RCC meeting to discuss members’ views on the role that the club should play in the community, which topics interest the members, and possible projects.

Use the discussion with the entire group to set the goals for a project and do some preliminary preparation. A project coordinator or committee for the project can then develop a work plan and budget, as well as initiate discussions about fund-raising, informing the public, and evaluating the results of the project.

It is important to keep in mind other groups who may be working in the same arena and seek out collaborative opportunities. Partnerships can be an effective use of resources and will help develop relationships with the community.

Establish specific and measurable goals and objectives. Obtain agreement from the members and others who are involved. Create a timeline indicating the steps involved and who is responsible for each step. Make sure you are setting targets that are achievable – it is better to have a small but successful project than an ambitious project that fails.

A plan for communicating the information within the Rotary club or RCC is also necessary. Effective action requires motivation, commitment, and follow-through. Rotarians and RCC members are volunteers — some very motivated, others less so. It is important to inspire people to take part in service activities.

If you have done the preliminary planning for a project, you will be able to articulate what the project is about and what you hope to accomplish – the message. To prepare for promotion of the service project both internally and externally, prepare a one-page brief describing the goal of the project, the action plan and budget. This is your selling document.