ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders (usually ages 30 or older) united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians, members of more than 29,000 Rotary Clubs in 161 countries.

Rotaract is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30. Rotaract Clubs can be either community- or university-based, and are sponsored by local Rotary clubs. In addition to undertaking projects to assist local communities and to advance international understanding, Rotaractors (what members are commonly called) also engage in activities related to professional development and leadership training. Today there are nearly 6,554 Rotaract Clubs in 146 countries, with an estimated 150,000 members.

Don Zeigler, Ph.D., a tobacco control and health promotion consultant participating in Essential Action's Global Partnerships program, is a member of the Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse (Evanston, IL, USA). He is working to get Rotary International involved in global tobacco control efforts as Rotary has been active in the eradication of polio. Currently, he is raising awareness among Rotarians and linking grass-roots programs with Rotary Clubs in their communities and/or others throughout the world. Interest is growing.

Don has suggested the following ways in which Rotary might support global tobacco control partnerships:

• Host Speakers. Local clubs look for speakers and program ideas at their weekly meetings. They may be interested in a presentation on the tobacco and death epidemic, e.g., advertising for and against tobacco, smuggling, youth and women issues, smoke-free areas, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, World No-Smoking Day, and what your local community is doing;

• Financial support. Your local Rotary Club or another distant club might decide to help your organization, e.g., purchase equipment, posters, fund or cosponsor conferences. Several clubs could match each other's financial resources and thus multiply the amount raised to support your tobacco control efforts;

• Support Community Initiatives. Clubs might support for World No-Tobacco Day, community education campaigns, or legislation by utilizing their contacts with government, schools, worksites, and hospitals; and

• Supply Volunteers. Local Rotarians and/or Rotaractors might help research advertising in stores, media, movies; consumption rates, public interest in quitting, support for non-smoking in public places;

Identify local clubs, time and location of weekly meetings through the Rotary website at http://www.Rotary.org/services/clubs/index.html. Check by city name. Always call the local club before going. Introduce yourself and verify time and location of meetings. You will find Rotary Clubs in most of the 90 countries represented in Essential Action's Global Partnerships for Tobacco Control program.

Ideally, your local club will participate with time, talent, and funds (which can be matched by that Rotary District of clubs, a foreign club and its district, and Rotary International). However, Rotary Clubs may have other priorities for their time and funds at this time. You may only expect to raise awareness. Please note, though, that Rotary Clubs elsewhere in the world may be interested in your projects.

If you and your GPTC foreign partner are interested in exploring some of the options Don brainstormed, have further ideas on how Rotary Clubs might be able to assist local tobacco control efforts in your country, or simply would like some suggestions on how to approach your local Rotary Club, you may contact Don. Please share with us your experiences with Rotary. Contact Don at:

Donald W. Zeigler, Ph.D.
Global Health Promotion, Inc.
1430 Elmwood Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201 USA
Tel: (847) 328-3692
Fax: (520) 396-5285
Email: [email protected]