“Every service project has a story worth telling. Every Rotarian has an opportunity to inspire others simply by sharing the impact we’re making in our communities. Public image isn’t about promoting Rotary. It’s about celebrating the people whose lives are changed because Rotary showed up.”
– Amanda Groover, District 6910 Public Image Chair
The stories we tell have the power to inspire service.
That message took center stage during the Public Image Excellence Awards at the 2026 Rotary District 6910 Conference in Cherokee, North Carolina, where Rotarians paused to celebrate something often overlooked: the volunteers who make sure the incredible work happening across our district doesn’t go unnoticed.
Under District Governor Jessica Fleetwood’s theme, Celebrate, the Public Image Awards recognized the clubs and individuals who have embraced storytelling as an essential part of service. Whether through photographs, local news stories, newsletters, or social media, these Public Image Champions are helping communities see Rotary not just as an organization, but as neighbors taking action.
This year’s celebration also reflected how far District 6910 has come. The district launched a new website, improved email communications, and introduced a new story submission portal, making it easier than ever for clubs to share the stories happening in their hometowns.
Rotary Zone 33/34 E.P.I.C. Awards
One of the highlights of the presentation was recognizing clubs participating in the Zone 33/34 E.P.I.C. Public Image Awards. The year-long program encourages clubs to consistently tell Rotary’s story through local media, photography, websites, newsletters, branding, and community engagement. Rather than focusing on a single achievement, the program rewards consistency and a long-term commitment to making Rotary visible.
Bronze Recognition honored Barrow Area, Cartersville, Dahlonega, Hartwell, Jefferson, The Classic City of Athens, Thomson, Towne Lake, and Washington Rotary Clubs.
Silver Recognition celebrated Braselton, Carpe Diem, Conyers, Jasper, Lawrenceville, Loganville, Rockdale County South, and Forsyth County Rotary Clubs.
Gold Recognition was awarded to Gwinnett County, Hall County, Lanier-Forsyth, Madison County, and North Forsyth-400 Rotary Clubs.
Platinum Recognition – the highest recognition possible – was celebrated by Banks County, Big Canoe, Canton, Clayton, Columbia County, Covington, Dahlonega Sunrise, Dalton, Dawson County, Forsyth County (Cumming), Gainesville, Greene & Putnam Counties, Habersham County, Johns Creek, Rome, Sugarloaf, Toccoa, West End Cartersville Etowah, and Winder Rotary Clubs.
“The best Rotary stories don’t begin with a microphone. They begin with a member who simply decides to serve. We need to do a better job telling people about those who choose to show up” – DPIC Amanda Groover
Ann Ragle-Haynes Award
Perhaps the most memorable moment of the awards presentation was the announcement of the 2026 Ann Ragle-Haynes Award.
This prestigious honor recognizes a Rotarian whose dedication to public image has made an extraordinary impact on their club and District 6910. This year, the award was presented to Doug Walker of the Rotary Club of Rome, a storyteller whose work has become a model for clubs throughout the district.
Doug has shown that effective public image isn’t about flashy marketing. It’s about consistently capturing authentic moments that reflect Rotary’s mission.
Throughout the year, Doug produced more than 20 local news stories, captured compelling People of Action photography, earned the Zone 33/34 E.P.I.C. Award, shared club bulletins publicly through social media, and continuously promoted Rotary’s impact throughout the Rome community. Perhaps most importantly, he wasn’t afraid to ask questions, learn new skills, and continually improve. His philosophy was simple: tell stories about people, not presentations.
The presentation highlighted newspaper front pages featuring Rotary service projects, local partnerships, and community impact. Rotary wasn’t tucked away in the community calendar. It was making headlines. Doug also transformed the club’s communication channels, including its newsletter, into tools that informed members while inviting the broader community to discover Rotary’s work.
The Rotary Club fo Rome is a reminder that great public image isn’t about getting Rotary noticed. It’s about helping people notice the good happening all around them.
The presentation concluded with a powerful collage of People of Action photographs. Instead of staged check presentations, the images captured Rotarians recycling Christmas trees, cleaning parks, stocking food pantries, mentoring students, supporting local nonprofits, and serving side by side in their communities. They served as a reminder that Rotary’s strongest message is found in action, not words. View the full award presentation here: https://canva.link/3setgev4wvtcig9
As another Rotary year comes to a close, these Public Image Champions remind us that service has two parts. First, we do the work. Then, we share the story so others are inspired to join us.
That spirit perfectly reflects District Governor Jessica Fleetwood’s theme of Celebrate. We celebrate every volunteer, every project, every partnership, and every story that helps others discover the difference Rotary is making across District 6910.
Why Public Image Matters
Every Rotary project begins with people who are willing to serve. But every future project begins with someone who first heard the story.
Public image isn’t about promoting ourselves. It’s about shining a light on the needs being met, the lives being changed, and the neighbors coming together to make a difference. When communities see Rotarians building ramps, mentoring students, responding to disasters, cleaning parks, or feeding families, they begin to understand what Rotary truly is.
Strong public image also creates opportunities. It helps clubs attract prospective members looking for meaningful ways to serve. It opens doors to new partnerships with businesses, schools, nonprofits, and local governments. It strengthens community trust and demonstrates that Rotary is an organization that doesn’t just talk about making an impact, it delivers one.
The most powerful public image isn’t created in a marketing campaign. It’s created every time a club captures an authentic moment of service, shares a member’s story, celebrates a successful project, or thanks a community partner. Those stories become invitations for others to join us.
District 6910’s Public Image Champions understand that every photo, every article, every newsletter, and every social media post helps preserve Rotary’s legacy while building its future. By telling the stories of today’s service, they’re inspiring tomorrow’s volunteers, leaders, and changemakers.
As Rotarians, we often say that Service Above Self changes lives. Public image ensures the world gets to see it.
“The next great Rotarian may be reading your next story. Don’t let your club’s impact become Rotary’s best-kept secret.” – Amanda Groover 6910 DPIC 2022-2026
This year’s Public Image Excellence Awards remind us that telling Rotary’s story is not separate from service. It is an extension of service. When we celebrate our impact and share it with our communities, we invite others to become part of something bigger than themselves.
And that’s a story worth telling.
