M-T1-MP-17 · Detailed guide · Theme 1

Rotary Feature Story Program

Produce a recurring pipeline of deeply reported community features that show need, action, evidence and next steps through voices beyond the club.

Where this idea came from

Playbook entry
M-T1-MP-17 · Rotary Feature Story Program
Theme
Theme 1: Attraction & Visibility · Subtheme MP: Media & Public Relations
Source material
Existing checked Theme 1 guide
Linked playbook entry
M-T1-MP-17 · Rotary Feature Story Program

Why a club might use this

Community experiences and project lessons are documented with nuance rather than reduced to promotional success claims.

Use it when

  • Local feature editors, community contributors, Rotary story producers, project partners and readers seeking context. Use when the club has several substantial stories that can withstand deeper reporting.

Before the club starts

  • Editorial calendar with varied issues, contributors and intended audiences.
  • Story brief, source plan, consent choices, evidence ledger and corrections route.
  • Skilled interviewer and editor with time for fact and sensitivity review.

Capacity guide

Likely cost
$$
Lead time
4-6 weeks
People
3-5 members

How to put it into practice

Detailed implementation steps for Rotary Feature Story Program
StepActionSuggested owner
1Select stories for community relevance, learning and source diversity.Features editor
2Agree scope, consent and review boundaries with each contributor.Story producer
3Report interviews, documents, context and contrary evidence.Feature writer
4Complete fact, rights, sensitivity and partner checks.Editorial assurance lead
5Publish with a practical next step and monitor effects on contributors.Publishing manager

Controls and safeguards

  • Contributor review covers factual and safety concerns, not a promise of editorial veto.
  • Distinguish outputs, outcomes and attribution; disclose uncertainty and Rotary's role.
  • High — long-form reporting can magnify privacy, trauma, defamation and outcome-attribution harm.

What to measure

  • Story calendar covers distinct communities and project types.

Follow-up: Return the published story and response summary to contributors, correct material errors visibly, and review any unexpected exposure before commissioning related coverage.

Related playbook entries

  • M-T1-MP-14
  • M-T1-MP-11
  • M-T1-PS-13

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.