Four ways to create buzz for your World Polio Day event

It’s time to start making plans for World Polio Day, 24 October – Rotary’s best opportunity during 2018 to shine the spotlight on our top goal of eradicating polio. Whether you’re planning a gala fundraiser or a polio awareness march through your community, Endpolio.org offers free and effective digital tools to help you plan and promote your World Polio Day event.

Though October may seem far away, now is the time to start your plan and begin the countdown to World Polio Day. Here’s some inspiration as you kick off your plan.

Start here
Between the resources at Endpolio.org and your club’s creativity, you already have all of the resources needed to create a memorable event! Check out the planning guide to help you design an event that works for your club and community. And even if you already have a plan, there are plenty of resources to help you promote World Polio day throughout the entire process, including sample press releases and event invitations. Save time later by familiarizing yourself with these tools now.

Promote your event
Will your club host a wine tasting event, organize a bike race for polio eradication, or sponsor a fundraising concert?  Last year, more than 3,671 groups in 102 countries listed their World Polio Events, not only putting their activities on the map but also inspiring other clubs looking for ways to get involved. Share your plans by visiting the Promote Your Event page to be sure your project is counted!

Add your voice
You are part of a global movement that will eradicate a human disease for only the second time in world history. What does polio eradication mean to you? In the weeks and months leading to World Polio Day, share your thoughts via social media as you talk about your event. Adding your voice not only brings a personal touch to the polio eradication story, but helps us tell the world that Rotary is made up of individuals who are dedicated to the cause to the end. If you need help finding the right words, visit the resources page, which includes sample social media messages and downloadable Facebook and Twitter content that you can post with just one click.

Join the global conversation
Hashtags aren’t just about creating buzz—they also help with discovery! Use #endpolio and #worldpolioday hashtags when you promote your local project or talk about polio eradication on social media. This way, your event will be added to the global conversation online, increasing views of your content, and adding your story to the many other polio-related events happening around the world.

Is your Rotary club involved in an extraordinary polio eradication project you would like us to know about? Share your story and your event may be featured next! .