Your Service Club can Unleash the Power of Sponsorship (Part I)

Written by Robyn T. Braley

There are two reasons why you need to understand basic sponsorship theory. Either you are a sponsor who is funding a project or you have a project you are trying to fund through attracting sponsors.

Rotary and other service clubs can find themselves in either position. Your club may have started a project and are seeking collaborative partners to help fund it. It might be a children’s festival, community park or an educational, health or other project.

On the other side, you may be making a sizable donation to a community project. With the gift, you have asked for an acknowledgement package that will raise awareness and draw attention to the service work you do.

Brand Synergy

Before digging too deeply into sponsorship function or structure there are two basic questions that must be asked.

1. Is there brand synergy between your company and the cause or event your are about to support?
2. What could go wrong with your relationship and what would the consequences be? 

The Big Question

Does sponsorship work? That's a  good question.

My friend, colleague and fellow Rotarian Brent Barootes has built a consulting business valuating and helping organizations, including Rotary clubs, to structure sponsorships.

10 Guerrilla Strategies for Rotary Club Growth

Guerrilla marketing is more than just monkeying around! 

Written by Robyn T. Braley

When you think about it, guerrilla strategies that support sales and marketing efforts of service clubs make a lot of sense. They are free or very inexpensive.

To be clear, sales and marketing are not words often used to describe the process of prospecting new members, negotiating project or event sponsors, forming collaborative relationships or soliciting matching grants. However, each activity involves some aspect of sales and marketing.

Marketing involves sifting through a world of creative ideas and message delivery methods in order to put your brand in front of potential customers. It is the process of engaging and motivating them to want to know more about your product or service.

Sales is the process of … well … closing the loop and making the sale. Elements like price, meeting identified needs, product quality, customer experience, financing options and delivery options come into play.

How the Calgary West Rotary Club Attracted 25 New Members in 18 Months

Unified clubs can do great things!

There is a simple definition of the word brand. Your brand is what others think it is. 

But, the heart of a brand goes much deeper. What you think of yourself and your organization will dictate how you shape it's brand in a way that engages others.

The heart of a strong Rotary Club brand is the feeling of pride members have for their club and the work of Rotary. If they feel good about their club, they will be fully engaged in fellowship and in community service. They will influence others to collaborate and even become members.

Background; The Can-do Club

The Calgary West Rotary first met in May, 1967. The club soon became known as a "can-do" club that was known for it's service projects. 

They reached far beyond what could reasonably be expected from a club of 80 to 100 members. Thousands of lives throughout the world were forever changed due to a collective passion for service and making a difference.