The Rotary Balita no. 728 (August 27, 1953)

Volumes have been written - millions spent, and wasted - on misdirected publicity and advertising - due to misconceptions as to the basic functions of public relations. Publicity is important, but what really counts with the public is what an organization does, not what it says it does! Perhaps there is a thought here for all of us in Rotary: ...the public will accept us if it knows us favorably, has confidence in us - in our program and in our representatives. It is recognized that the spirit of service is important in small as well as big things - for example, prompt telephone service, careful attention to correspondence, and tactful handling of office or field contacts are important. If, in the process, good public relations results, that is one of the fine by-products. Each district governor, each club officer, each Rotarian throughout the world, and each member of the staff of the Secretariat. is a part of Rotary's "department of public relations." In the final analysis, Rotary will be judged, and will prosper, in proportion to the impression that the public gets through the actions of Rotarians