E-110 · A 90-day try-out

A club plan for Behind-the-Scenes Hero Recognition

Use this as a starting point. Cross out what does not fit, add what is missing and make it your club's own.

Where this idea came from

Playbook entry
E-110 · Behind-the-Scenes Hero Recognition
Theme
Theme 2: Engagement & Belonging · Subtheme 7: Recognition & Celebrations
Source material
Current playbook index title and category plus an internally authored detailed-guide draft

Initiative-specific development wave

How this draft was developed

These sources support general principles for continuing member value, supported volunteering and controlled use of personal information; they are not an endorsement of the named Behind-the-Scenes Hero Recognition initiative or this local recognition method.

Primary references consulted

Candidate District material consulted

These records remain draft evidence and still need a human source decision.

  • Club Playbook - Theme 2
    Candidate record 65 Behind-the-Scenes Hero Shoutout provides the related concept of recognising quiet contribution. It is not a literal current-title match and does not supply confidentiality, consent, workload, role-equity, wording, third-party, correction or data-closeout controls.

Theme 2 source-assurance wave

What has been checked

  • 3 current primary pages used by this guide were reopened on 9 August 2026.
  • 3 attributed source claim(s) were mapped to their bounded use in this initiative.
  • Candidate District material remains separate and does not establish this result.
See each source's scope and limit
  • Deliver Continued Value
    Supports: The 49 attributed Theme 2 claims attached to this source, limited to the implementation elements and supporting documents named in each initiative-level claim mapping.
    Does not establish: That the initiative is endorsed by Rotary International or District 9510, that it is permitted by the club's governing documents, that members want it, that it suits the local club, or that it will achieve the intended outcome.
  • National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
    Supports: The 32 attributed Theme 2 claims attached to this source, limited to the implementation elements and supporting documents named in each initiative-level claim mapping.
    Does not establish: The club's local need, legal position, capability, cost, safety, accessibility, suitability, likely effectiveness, authority to act or approval of the initiative.
  • Chapter 6: APP 6 Use or Disclosure of Personal Information
    Supports: The 21 attributed Theme 2 claims attached to this source, limited to the implementation elements and supporting documents named in each initiative-level claim mapping.
    Does not establish: Whether the Privacy Act or another duty applies to this club, whether consent is informed and valid, whether collection or publication is authorised, or whether the proposed safeguards are sufficient in the actual circumstances.

What still needs a person to confirm

  • Confirm the member, prospective-member, past-member and community needs, preferences and consent that the local design assumes.
  • Confirm which privacy, safeguarding, incorporated-association, charity, work health and safety, food, liquor, copyright, licensing, screening and other duties apply to the club and the activity.
  • Test accessibility, cultural safety, belonging, language and alternative participation routes with affected people and recognise First Nations cultural authority rather than inferring suitability from the guide.
  • Confirm every local fact, starting point, cost, role, current service contact, measure, stopping condition and platform capability before the club decides to proceed.
  • Confirm the authority and current scope of each primary source, resolve login-gated or moved-page references and keep any candidate District material attributed and unapproved until its source decision is made.

The source-verification release gate remains closed.

Checks still on hold

Still an internal draft: source interpretation, local suitability, accessibility, governance and editorial approval remain open checks.

1. Is this worth trying here?

What we hope will change: Members feel seen for varied contributions, not only formal leadership.

2. Our 90-day try-out

What our club will do for Behind-the-Scenes Hero Recognition
StepWhat we will doWho could lead itOur dateHow we will know it is done
1Map the work behind recent meetings and projects and identify contribution types the club rarely notices.Recognition lead and team coordinatorsBefore launchA less-visible contribution map
2Invite specific examples privately and verify the contribution without opening confidential records or asking for private member details.Recognition leadMonthlySafe, evidence-based examples
3Check whether the example reveals overwork, an unsupported role or a task that should be shared, resourced or redesigned.Club board sponsorBefore recognitionA workload and role response
4Ask the member how, where and whether they want the contribution recognised and whether a team, partner or anonymous task should receive the credit instead.Recognition leadBefore publicationMember-controlled recognition choice
5Share the approved appreciation in plain language, avoiding hero narratives, private details and expectations that the person will keep carrying the task.Meeting or communications leadAt the agreed momentRespectful public thanks
6Complete the agreed workload action, close nomination material and review whether hidden work is becoming more visible and fairly shared.Club board sponsor and recognition leadQuarterlyRecognition linked to fairer club practice

3. Checks before we start

Things our club needs to check
QuestionWhat it means for usWho will checkDone?
Check the selected approach against the club's actual needs, capacity and responsibilities before putting it into use.
Protect member choice and privacy, make participation accessible, and do not infer belonging or satisfaction from attendance alone.
Recognition exposes confidential work or private member circumstances. — Verify through an authorised contact, screen details and let the member choose task-only or no public recognition.
Hero language normalises unsupported labour. — Describe the contribution without glorifying sacrifice and require a workload or resourcing response.
The same members remain responsible for hidden tasks. — Track contribution types and complete rotation, handover, documentation or redesign actions.
A playful label feels patronising or diminishes the skill involved. — Use member-approved plain language and allow team, task or private appreciation instead.
The club must approve the contribution, confidentiality, consent, wording, workload-response, correction and record controls before launch.
No recognition may reveal confidential member, complaint, safeguarding, financial or partner information.
Recognition must not normalise unsafe workload or affect role, performance or membership decisions.
The member must control whether the person, team or task is named and which channels may be used.

4. What changed?

What we will keep an eye on
What mattersWhere we are nowWhat we hope to seeHow we will checkWho
After 90 days, review Behind-the-Scenes Hero Recognition. Look for a wider range of contributions being recognised, with consent, and for recipients reporting that the recognition felt appropriate.
A wider range of less-visible contribution types being noticed.
Members controlling whether the person, team or task is named and how.
Workload, role clarity or resourcing actions completed alongside recognition.
Confidential details excluded and nomination material deleted after closeout.

After 30 days

Is it reaching the right people? Is anything unsafe, unfair or harder than expected?

After 60 days

Make one useful change based on what people have told you.

After 90 days

Compare with where you started. Decide whether to change it, continue it or stop.

Made for this initiative

Tailored supporting documents

These working documents use the decisions, safeguards and evidence needs of this initiative. Complete them with the people affected and keep the agreed version with the club's project record.

01

Behind-the-Scenes Contribution Discovery

Notice essential work safely and test what should be recognised or redesigned.

Open supporting document
02

Recognition Consent and Wording Sheet

Give the member control over the appreciation and protect confidential details.

Open supporting document

Before your club says yes

Does the idea fit?

Talk with the people it is meant to serve and check that the need is real.

Who can say yes?

Name the person or group that can approve the work, spending and any safety arrangements.

Are people protected?

Check privacy, consent and safety. Collect only the information you genuinely need.

Can everyone take part?

Check the language, format, place, technology and cost for barriers.

Are the facts and permissions right?

Check names, claims, images, quotations, partner references and Rotary branding.

How will we learn?

Note where things stand now, check in at 30, 60 and 90 days, and decide what to do next.

Worksheets for your club

Open them online, print them or change them to suit the way your club works.

01

Recognition templates

Use this worksheet to recognise people's contributions fairly and ask before sharing their story.

Open worksheet
02

Communications templates

Use this worksheet to prepare clear messages and check the facts, permissions and approval before sharing them.

Open worksheet