Welcome to District 5550

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Text Message Sent from District Public Image Committee
Today, Sunday November 20, Rotarians across the district will have received a text message from the District Public Image Committee. This was not a scam! Our PI team is working hard to inspire Rotarians with various types of marketing that have not previously been used by Rotary but that may aid clubs in engaging club members & community members.
 
 
You may have a few questions, so we'd like to attempt to pre-emptively answer them.
 
1. Why did I receive this text message?
The District PI Team is looking to create a buzz within the district and showcase marketing tools that can help your club increase engagement and interest in the activities you are already doing. If you're wondering how we got your phone number, it is listed in Clubrunner. If you are no longer a Rotarian, please contact your past club and ask them to remove your information from ClubRunner.
 
2. Why did some Rotarians receive it while others didn't?
We know that not all clubs are using ClubRunner to it's fullest potential, and are not updating information regularly. If you did not receive this text message, it is because either your phone number is not listed in ClubRunner or your phone number did not have an area code in ClubRunner.
 
3. What can my club use mobile marketing like this for?
With over 98% of all text messages being read, many nonprofits are already adding it to their communication strategy to:
  • Engage club members with quick surveys, calls for volunteers, and event RSVP's.
  • Boost attendance for events with text message reminders, confirmations & quick registration links.
  • Boost donations by keeping connected to donors & sponsors, thanking them for donations, and inviting them to participate with your chapter in a highly personal way. 
4. Isn't it illegal to use text messaging for marketing?
No. CASL (Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation) simply regulates electronic messages like emails & mobile messaging.
 
If you are sending a commercial electronic message, you need to comply with three main requirements. You need to: 
(1) obtain consent, 
(2) provide identification information, and 
(3) provide an unsubscribe mechanism.
 

There are two types of consent under CASL – express and implied.

Express consent does not expire; however, the recipient has the right to withdraw their consent at any time.

Implied consent may include having an existing business relationship (EBR) based on a previous commercial transaction with the recipient; or having an existing non-business relationship based on, for example, membership in your club, or if the recipient participated as a volunteer for your charitable organization; or where a person makes their email address publicly available by publishing it on a website.

More information on the CASL Laws can be found here

5. How did you create this campaign & how much did it cost?

Step 1- was to plan the concept with my PI team, ensuring that it relates directly with at least 1 of the objectives in our Action plan for this year.

Step 2 - I created a draft script that included all the elements required - engaging, informative, and had a call to action.

Step 3 - I recorded the video using my zoom account - Free.

Step 4 - I uploaded the video to Canva, and used it to add text, transitions, music, the opening message, and the end message. Free.

Step 5- Downloaded the phone numbers from ClubRunner and spent time ensuring all numbers met the formatting requirements for the text marketing software. Free

Step 6 - Uploaded the 'clean' list to a platform called Mobile Text Alerts. This software cost me approximately 6 cents per multimedia text (mms). Admittedly I did not look into non-profit pricing for this. I purchased it as a monthly subscription which I will cancel after my i1st month so I am not charged again.

Step 7 - Anticipate additional resources that would be required to answer all your questions and support the campaign and create this Website post & post on social media.

Total monetary cost of this campaign: $60

Total time it took to put together: between 6-8 hours.

You reading this message - priceless. ;) 

6. How can I learn to do marketing like this for my club?

Contact DG Fred Wright and let him know that you'd like to be part of our marketing team - even if it's just to attend meetings and learn what we're doing and how we're doing it.
Save The Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
"SAVE THE DATE".  The 2023 District Conference will be held in Saskatoon, SK.  More details to follow and registration will open in the new year."
Rotary Club of Prince Albert Wine Premiere
The Rotary Club of Prince Albert hosted its annual Wine Premiere November 5th. While the weather outside was delivering 18 cm of fresh blowing snow it did not stop the sellout crowd from enjoying a sampling of wines from Josh Cellars which makes well-balanced and delicious wines sourced from California's best growing regions. 
 
The four course meal was prepared by Randy Whitter to complement each of the wines. The Mont St Joseph foundation was the beneficary of funds raised. 
See more
 
Congratulations Deb and Gord
Congratulations to Deb and Gord LeMaistre as the officially received their Zone 28 Donald MacRae Peace Award.

District Fall Retreat Nov 2022

 
 
Winnipeg Fort Garry Member Celebrates 60 Years in Rotary
Pictured are Ted Foreman and his wife Lynn. The Rotary Club of Winnipeg Fort Garry dedicated a bench in honour of Ted’s sixty years in Rotary on October 3, 2022. The bench is located in Wildewood Park in Winnipeg
DG announces District 5550 DEI Champion
District governor Fred Wright is very pleased to announce that DGN Peter Tonge has accepted the appointment to be our District Diversity Equity and Inclusion champion.
 
Youth Exchange in D5550 back for the 2023-2024 year!
Rotary District 5550 's  Rotary Youth Exchange Committee is excited to announce plans to bring back Youth Exchange in our District for the 2023-2024 year!  Applicants must be between the age of 16 and 18 at the time they leave on Exchange.
 
More information can be found on the District Website under the  "Youth drop down" or by clicking here:   https://rotary5550.org/sitepage/youth-exchange.
 
Remember Our Youth of Today will be the Leaders of Tomorrow!
D5550 Youth Exchange
Helping club and district leaders achieve success
2022-23 presidential initiatives
RI President Jennifer Jones imagines a Rotary where members act to make their dreams reality and to get the most out of their club experiences. This year, Jones will focus on four presidential initiatives that Imagine Rotary: advancing our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); creating a welcoming club experience; empowering girls; and expanding our reach. You can join Jones in building a strong future for Rotary by learning more about each of her initiatives.
Click here for more

Membership

 

Join Rotary’s 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Click on the image to the right for District 5550 Membership Survey Results

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