Rotary Legacy Story Interviews

What could this idea change?

It gives the club a clearer view of people's experiences before decisions are made, including feedback that informal conversations can miss.

It may suit: Members and volunteers whose contributions may be recognised, and the people nominating or celebrating them.

A simple way to start

1. Write a decision brief for Rotary Legacy Story Interviews: define which interview material may be archived or published, the evidence already held, people affected, local authority, fixed constraints, success signals and stop conditions. Who could lead it: Recognition or heritage lead and board sponsor
2. Set transparent recognition or collection criteria, invite nominations or contributions through more than one route, declare conflicts and obtain permissions from people and rights holders before production. Who could lead it: Recognition or heritage lead and board sponsor with the access and privacy contacts
3. Build and test recorded or written interviews capturing a member's legacy in their own words; use the Legacy Interview Question and Rights Pack, rehearse the boundary wording, check materials and confirm who can decide, refer, pause or close the activity. Who could lead it: Fact, rights and records reviewers
4. Verify names, dates, claims, context, cultural or partner authority and media rights; preserve contrary or incomplete evidence; and create an accessible version without altering the source record. Capture only the evidence needed to judge whether the trial achieved its stated aim: preserve experience and learning with context, permission and factual care. Who could lead it: Fact, rights and records reviewers
5. Analyse the evidence against the starting point, validate meaning with the people involved, record exceptions and unintended effects, and prepare a transcript, rights record and approved access copy without overstating what the trial proves. Who could lead it: Fact, rights and records reviewers and an independent reviewer

What should we look for?

• After 90 days, review Rotary Legacy Story Interviews. Look for consented knowledge being preserved, contributions being recognised fairly and useful handovers reaching current owners.
• Rotary Legacy Story Interviews produces a transcript, rights record and approved access copy by the promised decision date, with evidence limitations and any participation gaps stated.
• Every public fact, name, image, quotation and claim has a recorded source, permission or documented lawful basis.
• Selection decisions follow published criteria with conflicts, exclusions and corrections recorded.
• Original records, preservation copies and public access copies are distinguishable and held under an approved retention and access plan.

Before we say yes

• Does it fit a real local need?
• Can people take part safely and fairly?
• Are the facts, permissions and Rotary branding right?
• Who will lead it, and when will we review it?