Amplifying Impact

PICTURED: Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Rotary Global Media Network – including Rotary Down Under – responded vigorously with in-depth coverage of the war. The stories we published reached millions of Rotary members worldwide, galvanising them into action.

By Wen Huang. Editor in chief, Rotary magazine.

Mykola Stebljanko publishes Rotariets, the Ukrainian magazine for Rotary news, from his home in Odesa, a port city on the Black Sea.

In February three years ago, when Russia began an all-out war against his country, Mykola, a member of the Rotary E-Club of Ukraine, kicked into high gear. Amid the barrage of missile attacks against his city, he coordinated relief efforts with his fellow Rotary members in Ukraine through video calls.

At the same time, he reached out to the editors of the Rotary Global Media Network – which consists of the US Rotary magazine, Rotary Down Under, and 32 other independent regional publications – briefing us weekly on the situation and the extensive relief efforts launched by The Rotary Foundation and Rotary clubs around the world.

We, the members of the Rotary Global Media Network, responded vigorously with in-depth coverage of the war, about the devastating humanitarian crisis and the importance of Rotary’s assistance. The stories we published reached millions of Rotary members worldwide, galvanising them into action.

By the end of 2024, The Rotary Foundation and Rotary clubs had raised tens of millions of dollars in contributions that helped provide essential support to people in Ukraine.

This is one of many examples of the effectiveness of Rotary magazine, Rotary Down Under and our sister regional magazines in rallying Rotary clubs worldwide.

PICTURED: After flooding devastated Northern NSW in 2022, the reporting by Rotary Down Under helped spur an outpouring of support.

In 2022, an article in Rotary magazine about a Rotary-supported program in California called Music Mends Minds caught the attention of the Rotary community. The initiative promotes the use of music as a viable therapy to delay the symptoms of neurodegenerative dementia.

Soon after publication, similar projects cropped up in other parts of the US and the world.

Similarly, after flooding devastated Northern NSW in 2022, the reporting by Rotary Down Under helped spur an outpouring of support.

The list goes on. Each story is meticulously researched, written and produced. We are a network of professional writers, photographers and graphic designers who are passionate about telling your stories – to amplify the positive change you are creating in the world.

For myself and my fellow editors, it’s been rewarding to see that our high-quality publications help strengthen our organisation by fostering a sense of belonging for our members, increasing our membership and offering a window into the Rotary world for the general public.

Surveys show that the majority of readers feel our magazines strengthen their connection with Rotary, allowing them to better understand the organisation.

“The magazines are a primer for Rotary members, keeping us informed on the who, what, when, where, why and how of the world,” says Sylvia Whitlock, a trailblazer who was the first woman to serve as president of a Rotary club.

Without the magazines, everything is just happenstance.”

Similarly, one Rotary Down Under reader said: “RDU’s content is vitally relevant on the international stage.”