Stories

Access to safe water, proper sanitation, and good hygiene practices are essential for health, dignity, and development. In Yumbe District, Rotary is making that a reality through the Rotary Global Grant 2237714 – WASH in Yumbe Project, a multi-partner initiative aimed at reaching 18,000 people across 12 villages.

Cancer run

We are thrilled to share that Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, a distinguished member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Nigeria, has been selected by the Rotary International Board of Directors to serve as President of Rotary International for the 2026-27 Rotary year, beginning 1 July 2026.

This appointment follows the resignation of President-elect SangKoo Yun, who stepped down to focus on recovery after recent cancer treatment. In accordance with Rotary’s Code of Policies, the Board convened a special session to appoint a leader with extensive Rotary experience and a proven record of service.

Uniting People to Do Good: A Call to Collective Action and Kindness

Today, Rotary District 9213 proudly launches the 2025–2026 Rotary year with a simple yet

powerful mission: to unite people to do good. This initiative aims to bring together individuals,

communities, and organizations to create meaningful change through kindness, collaboration, and

service.

Cari amici,

Recently, I was in my living room playing with my grandchildren. A few days later, I was on a plane to Calgary, suddenly carrying the responsibility of leading this incredible organization. Life comes fast, but so often, it brings us exactly where we’re meant to be.

• Determine what you want to achieve on social media (e.g., raising awareness, recruiting members, promoting events, or engaging the community).
• Set measurable targets, such as increasing followers by 15% or boosting event attendance by 10%.
• Remember to have a social media/communication budget to support you attain these goals.

• Focus on platforms where your audience is most active
• For example, Facebook is great for local community updates, event promotion, and connecting with members; Instagram is ideal for visual storytelling, such as photos and videos showcasing projects and events; LinkedIn is effective for engaging professionals, promoting partnerships, and sharing thought leadership; X (formerly Twitter) is best for quick updates, sharing news, and engaging in real-time conversations with a broader audience; and YouTube is excellent for sharing in-depth stories, event highlights, and educational content through engaging video formats.
• Start with one platform and expand as your capacity grows.

• Also known as news or media release.
• A written statement about a newsworthy event, issue or development for distribution to the media
• Written on a club’s letterhead
• Purpose: To give journalists/media information that’s new, useful, accurate, relevant and interesting

• Ensure your message is not lost in the details or drama of an event
• Make it easier for journalists to conceptualise a story about your event
• For publication on your own platforms
• Provide accurate information about the club

• Identify the right media contacts: Know the reporters who cover Rotary or our areas of focus and the editors who assign them. Understand newsroom structures to approach the right person.
• Build rapport with journalists through regular updates and invitations to events. Good rapport increases trust and coverage opportunities.
• Prepare talking points: Develop a concise list of key messages or themes you want to convey. Ensure they align with Rotary’s mission and your project’s impact.
• Anticipate questions: Think through potential questions a journalist may ask, including challenging ones, and prepare clear, honest responses.
• Leverage media kits: Provide journalists with media kits that could include press releases, fact sheets, photos, and any additional resources they may need for their story.

Dear Magicians, It has been 31 days since we embarked on a commitment to advance the Magic of Rotary in
our Communities. I congratulate you all on the Achievements made so far and implore you to focus on the task ahead of us.

What an exciting journey of leadership July has offered! It has been possibilities and lessons all the way. Cheers to the few obstacles we have overcome. They manifested right in the format we had anticipated in our Plan.

Dear Rotaractors, you have made it so easy and simple for the District to offer leadership so far. You are undoubtedly a Magical Army.

In the previous Month, I have been privileged to visit 17 Clubs and witnessed the Magic they are creating already. I am happy about the systems we have created in our Clubs, the Plans and the commitment to creating impact in every endeavour.

I congratulate you, fellow Rotarians, on completion of the first quarter of RY2021-22. It has been a learning experience, but also gratifying for me on my official visits to clubs. I have experienced amazing projects that change lives in our communities, the joy of inducting new members, and celebration for Rotarians recognized for the generous gifts to the Rotary Foundation.  My gratitude to Change Maker Presidents, Assistant Governors and Area Support officers who have contributed to the attainment of these accomplishments. In the remaining nine months ahead of us, I encourage each one of you to Do More and Grow More as we lay a firm foundation for D9213. I implore you to keep up the positive energy that you have so far exhibited, as you work towards accomplishing your goals.