M-T1-MP-15 · A 90-day try-out

A club plan for Rotary Media Awards

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: M-T1-MP-15 · Rotary Media Awards
Theme: Theme 1: Attraction & Visibility · Subtheme MP: Media & Public Relations
Source material: Existing checked Theme 1 guide
Linked playbook entry: M-T1-MP-15 · Rotary Media Awards

1. Is this worth trying here?

What we hope will change: Recognise high-quality local journalism on community issues through transparent criteria and independent judging, without purchasing media goodwill.

What is happening in our club or community now?What is the smallest useful version we could try? What will we leave out?

Board contactPerson leading the workPerson checking what happened

2. Our 90-day try-out

What our club will do for Rotary Media Awards
Step	What we will do	Who could lead it
1	Consult journalists and community representatives on fair award purpose.	Awards design lead
2	Publish criteria focused on accuracy, public value, originality and ethics.	Governance secretary
3	Receive and screen entries without judging newsroom viewpoint.	Awards administrator
4	Run blinded or otherwise independent scoring and conflict recusals.	Judging chair
5	Announce decisions with reasons and no expectation of future coverage.	Club president

3. Checks before we start

Things our club needs to check
Question	What it means for us	Who will check	Done?
Favourable treatment of Rotary must never be an eligibility or scoring factor.
Judges must declare relationships with entrants, outlets, subjects and sponsors.
High — awards can look like inducements unless judging, conflicts, entry rights and editorial independence are demonstrably separate.

4. What changed?

What we will keep an eye on
What matters	Where we are now	What we hope to see	How we will check	Who
Eligible entries span multiple outlets or community audiences.

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.

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.

We have checked this

Who can say yes?

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

We have checked this

Are people protected?

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

We have checked this

Can everyone take part?

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

We have checked this

Are the facts and permissions right?

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

We have checked this

How will we learn?

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

We have checked this

Worksheets for your club

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

Recognition and selection planner

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

Open worksheet

Event and session plan

Use this worksheet to plan who the session is for, when it will happen, how people can take part and what happens afterwards.

Open worksheet

Communications and content planner

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

Open worksheet