What is your Rotary Brand? That was the topic of discussion at Lincoln South Rotary Club on July 19. Our speaker was Gary Bren, Assistant Rotary Public Image Coordinator Rotary Zone 28.
Gary pointed out that it is a general trend that organizations are struggling with membership - particularly member engagement. There are so many things taking our time so getting members to commit to Rotary is difficult.
 
He also pointed out that, with Rotary, it was determined that we have an image issue - our Brand needed to be addressed. There was a large percentage of people surveyed who had never heard of Rotary. Others recognized the name but did not know what we were all about. With that information, Rotary focused on improving our Brand.
 
There is power in brand recognition. Gary showed us examples of logos - Coca-Cola, Nike, Mercedez-Benz - looking at the logo brought an image to mind. But, it is not just what the company sells or provides. It is a feeling - a memory - something that we relate to when we see the logo. Ideals and perceptions come to mind - tell us what we think; it speaks about what we are as an organization.
 
"In the promotion of understanding, it is important to reach large numbers, non-Rotarians as well as Rotarians, and you cannot reach large numbers privately." - Paul Harris, Founder of Rotary International
 
Brand is the foundation for membership recruitment and retention. Brand is about the "why" not the "what". The newest statement on "what is Rotary":
Join Leaders
Change Ideas
Take Action
 
The Rotary People of Action campaign narrows the gap between awareness and understanding. It is not just about what we are - but what we do. It defines what Rotary does - the impact that we have on the world.
 
Gary challenged us to examine our Club Brand - is it consistent with Rotary's overall brand?
What about our personal Rotary Brand - do we know why we are a Rotary member?
 
Gary's Bio:
Gary Bren joined Rotary in February of 2000 looking for an answer to the question: “what legacy will I leave behind me?”   
 
Gary says Rotary has provided him with a powerful answer to that question.  He is  a past president of Omaha Downtown, past District Governor, an Assistant Rotary Public Image Coordinator, and the current treasurer for District 5650.  
 
In his vocation, he is the co-founder and managing partner of Turner Technology, a 28 year old technology services company with locations in Omaha and Holdrege, NE.  
 
Gary is married to his wife Gretchen and he tells everyone that she is 100% of the look and 95% of the brains in the family.  She is also a very engaged Rotarian, having been on 15 Polio immunization missions to countries across African and southern Asia.