Marketing PR and Communications


Gerry Kierans


Effective 1st July 2011 Iʼve assumed the Marketing, PR, and Communications Chair from my predecessor Phillip Beggs. Phillip advised Rotarians that he was stepping down from the Chair in the June 2011 edition of COGS after completing his three year term but continuing as District Magazine Editor. I wish to thank Phillip for his Trojan work as Chairperson, and for keeping the COGS editorial role. Iʼm particularly indebted to Phillip for mentoring me while I ease into my District responsibilities! Iʼve been a member of Rotary since 1990. I was a founder member & Charter President of the Rotary Club of Newbridge and completed my second term as club President in June 2011. The members of the MPR&C team are listed in the District Directory and I encourage the club equivalentsʼ to make contact with the District Representative to introduce yourself (if there is a need) and to request assistance if required. I look forward to working with the MPR&C Team Members in delivering the objectives & goals of Rotary in Ireland.


Press Coverage : –


comments from District PR Officer, John MacCrossan Many clubs have commented about the lack of “national” Polio Press coverage in Ireland, remember this, if we are to achieve press coverage, we must have a seriously reportable event or project to report, not just highlighting our relationship with Polio Plus and Bill Gates.


There is a perception among some Rotarians that we are the silent partner in the Polio Eradication, this is not the case. Bill Gates certainly recognised the Rotary contribution by setting his challenge.


Many Rotarians believe that our organisation is the major contributor to Polio Eradication. Not so, Rotary is a major contributor, and has been a catalyst for generating major contributions from other sources, including national governments. The important task for all supporters of Polio Eradication is that we maximise our efforts, individual and collective, to achieve our common goal. The final task within our District will be achieved by the generosity and hard work of our club members, coupled with good local publicity which will achieve success. Opportunities for national publicity may, hopefully, arise but I suspect that in the End Polio Now campaign my energy will be most used in support of clubsʼ local PR needs.


Hewko responds to “The Economist”


John Hewko, Rotaryʼs general secretary and chief executive officer, recently responded to an article in The Economist magazine about the efforts of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) that did not mention Rotary. In his 6 August letter to the editor, "Keeping polio at bay", Hewko pointed out that Rotary is a “big partner” in the GPEI and has contributed more than US$1 billion to polio eradication efforts.


“SIR – I read with great interest your article about the challenges facing the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, in which, Rotary International, is a big partner, having contributed more than $1 billion (“Late? Or never?”, July 21st). You reported on the frank assessment of the programme by Sir Liam Donaldson, who chairs the Independent Monitoring Board. We completely agree with the boardʼs conclusion that funding is key to our ultimate success. But as Sir Liamʼs report tells us, we also need urgent action from our current supporters, and for new governmental and private‑sector donors to step up. You mentioned that the number of polio cases today is a mere 1% of what it was in 1988, when 350,000 cases were reported. Our success is even better than that, with fewer than 300 cases reported so far this year. And we observed a milestone in July when India, one of the four remaining polio endemic countries, went a full six months without reporting a case”.


John Hewko General secretary Rotary International Evanston, Illinois


In a portion of the letter that was edited out by The Economist, Hewko wrote: “Rotaryʼs role ‑‑ through our network of 1.2 million members in 200 countries and regions ‑‑ is to raise awareness and the critically needed funds to end this crippling disease once and for all, and that includes donating countless volunteer hours to reach children worldwide with the oral polio vaccine.” Hewko also commented, “Rotarians have raised US$185 million for Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge to help underwrite the cost of ending polio around the world. Although the challenge runs through 30 June 2012, it is vital that fundraising efforts continue until the disease is finished”.


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