Rotary District 9510Membership HubLegendary Clubs PackageM-T1-CP-03

M-T1-CP-03 · Detailed guide · Theme 1

School Partnership Program

Convert a school-defined learning, leadership or service need into a bounded, safeguarded pilot with explicit responsibilities and an honest continuation decision.

Where this idea came from

Playbook entry
M-T1-CP-03 · School Partnership Program
Theme
Theme 1: Attraction & Visibility · Subtheme CP: Community Presence
Source material
Existing checked Theme 1 guide
Linked playbook entry
M-T1-CP-03 · School Partnership Program

Why a club might use this

The school receives a useful outcome without inheriting unmanaged work or risk, while students receive age-appropriate, accessible participation rather than an institutional sales pitch.

Use it when

  • School leaders and educators authorised to define a relevant need and approval path. Use when a school has expressed a need that connects credibly to Rotary capability.

Before the club starts

  • Authorised discovery meeting and a clear statement of what Rotary will not provide or promise.
  • School calendar, site or platform conditions, participant needs and supervision responsibilities.
  • Presenter checks, activity risk review, accessible materials and school-approved communication route.
  • Specific approval for any student data, image, quotation, school mark or public story.

Capacity guide

Likely cost
Source allowance $150-$450 for workshop materials and a bounded project-resource contribution; validate currency, access, travel, procurement, screening, platform and agreement costs locally.
Lead time
Allow 2-4 weeks for initial school engagement plus 1-2 weeks after scope agreement; extend for safeguarding, access, curriculum, procurement or agreement review.
People
One Rotary coordinator, 2-3 prepared presenters or activity leaders, an authorised school liaison, and named safeguarding, access, incident and evidence functions.

How to put it into practice

Detailed implementation steps for School Partnership Program
StepActionSuggested owner
1Listen to the authorised school liaison and document the need, student group, desired outcome, constraints and decision path.Rotary Program Coordinator
2Co-design one pilot module, separating educational or service value from Rotary promotion.School Liaison and Module Lead
3Complete safeguarding, presenter, access, site, data, materials, budget and agreement reviews.Safeguarding and Governance Leads
4Adapt materials, rehearse presenters, confirm school communications and test the incident and alternative-participation routes.Learning and Access Lead
5Deliver within the agreed scope and supervision model, documenting exceptions through the school's process.Module Lead
6Review the pilot against the agreed outcome and record continue, adapt, pause or close.School Liaison

Controls and safeguards

  • Proceed only after the school and Rotary approval routes agree the need, module, supervision, data, resources and review point; otherwise redesign with the school, use a competent partner or decline.
  • School authority governs student contact, participation, imagery and communication; partner or parent permission never substitutes for the required school route.
  • Offer child-appropriate information and equivalent participation without demanding diagnosis details; ask what adjustment is required.

What to measure

  • Delivery against the school-approved pilot scope and liaison assessment

Follow-up: Give the school the agreed outcome record, close unresolved actions through the two liaisons, remove unapproved student material from Rotary systems and publish nothing unless the exact facts, people, images and channels are separately authorised.

Related playbook entries

  • M-T1-CP-09
  • M-T1-CP-12
  • M-T1-CP-28

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.