Be a speaker at Rotary club meetings
- Rotary clubs are always looking for speakers with new and interesting subjects for their weekly meeting programmes. Find a club in your area by going to the Rotary International web site at www.rotary.org and clicking on the Club Finder on the home page. Clubs usually have a phone number listed. Some have a web page with a listing of officers that might include a Program Chair who can help to arrange your visit and presentation.
- Be sure to ask about the club dress code. Some require business attire at meetings.
- Get to the meeting early. There is usually a period before the meeting set aside for fellowship when you may have the opportunity to meet key members of the club.
- A multimedia presentation depicting youth participation is well received. Be sure to arrive early enough to set up your equipment and test your material.
- Keep your talk to the agreed upon time limit, which is usually around 30 minutes: practice the timing beforehand. Most Rotarians are business people with busy schedules and over-running does not create a good first impression!
- Printed material regarding your program or project is also helpful.
- Feel free to ask for volunteers for your organization at the conclusion of your presentation, but do not solicit financial contributions. This is strictly prohibited unless it has been agreed to beforehand.
- After you have established a relationship with members, you can let them know that you or your sail training organization or project would like to be considered for a club or district grant at some time in the future.
- During your presentation, you may wish to invite club members to tour your vessel; or you might offer a daysail or a free dockside event, a club meeting or a wine tasting on board. Be sure to have personnel aboard to explain your program and how it impacts the lives of youth.
- Consider joining your local Rotary club, with a Rotary classification of Youth Sail Training. An attendance commitment is required, but can be flexible.
