Rotary Storytelling Competition

Why a club might use this

Creates a visible creative opportunity, recognises varied voices and develops a rights-cleared collection around a meaningful local theme.

Use it when

• Community writers, photographers, audio creators, young people through approved partners and local audiences. Use when a specific theme and eligible formats can be judged fairly against published criteria.

Before the club starts

• Approved rules covering eligibility, categories, judging, conflicts, prizes, privacy, rights, disqualification and review.
• Secure submission and consent processes, including partner-led child-safe arrangements for youth categories.
• A diverse trained judging panel plus a publication or exhibition plan that entrants can understand before submitting.

Capacity guide

Likely cost

$

Lead time

2-4 weeks

People

3-5 members

Controls and safeguards

• Request only the rights needed for stated uses and leave entrants owning their work; explain any licence in plain language.
• Disclose and manage judge conflicts, use consistent criteria and provide a defined process for administrative error or complaint.
• High — unclear rights, conflicted judging or unsafe youth submissions can make a creative initiative exploitative.

What to measure

• Eligible entries received across target segments

Follow-up: Thank every entrant, return or dispose of restricted material as promised, publish the judging process and review access or fairness barriers before another round.

Related playbook entries

• M-T1-PS-07
• M-T1-PS-13
• M-T1-PS-18

Supporting worksheets

• Communications and content planner
• Recognition and selection planner
• Workflow and minimum-data register