The Rotary Big Bulb Plant

Purple campaign 2010/11

Aim:

• celebrate and endorse Rotary’s achievement in the fight to eradicate polio
• raise awareness/perception of Rotary – its uniqueness as an organisation
• attract new members
• raise funds for the TFL/EPN – 2010/11 campaign

In meeting the four aims we will:

1. build awareness of ‘brand Rotary’ by associating/highlighting the colour purple with this particular initiative
2. encourage non Rotarians to support the local initiatives across the UK during the TFL week
3. ramp up the profile of Rotary and Rotarians in the 21st Century
4. highlight the ability of Rotary to organise and mobilise people in a co-ordinated effort in local communities
   

How:

• By organising the largest planting ever of purple crocus bulbs across the 29 RIBI districts

When:

• October 2010 – so the bulbs are in flower from the end of January 2011 to the end of February, depending on the geographical location in the UK ie to spell out the latitude sequence from the southern-most tip of the UK working east, west and northwards to the farthest points of the 29 districts of RIBI.

Who:

• By involving all sectors of the community: young / old; able-bodied or those with disabilities.

Sites to include: schools / community areas / prominent sites in urban / rural areas etc in order to promote, not only the TFL 2010/11 campaign but the nationwide message of the work of Rotary in the UK and the number of clubs/members involved.

Joined-up Rotary:

• Rotarians to work with services like fire / police/ armed forces / business community / scouts / guides / schools / community organisations etc to facilitate the planting of the bulbs
• Working with growers, supermarket outlets, garden centres etc to supply the bulbs
• To build on the working relationships that many clubs formed with their neighbours in the 2009/10 TFL campaign
• Districts to share best practice and to work with each other

Achievability:
Club members need to tap into their huge network of business / community/ schools contacts to seek help by the end of June.
Rotarians who run haulage firms to be enlisted

Funding:
Sponsorship for TFL, local community events, school/ sporting / musical/ cultural events activities / commercial opportunities.
Sites need to be identified / negotiated with local authorities / local businesses.

The project has on-going permanency year on year. Every time the bulbs flower you are reminded of Rotary and polio.

It immediately identifies and illuminates the theme of Rotary 2010/11

Building Communities, Bridging Continents

by translating into practical action Rotary’s on-going pledge/fight to eradicate polio across the world.