Broadening Knowledge of ICC
By Giampaolo Latella- RPIC 2027/30 Region15 -Legal Advisor Executive Council
A treasure that is still little known. A precious asset, an essential part of being a Rotarian, which, to paraphrase Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, is “invisible to the eye”. We are talking about the ICC, in this writer’s opinion one of the highest and most authentic expressions of the Rotary spirit: an international network of people united by an ethical value system and the desire to serve above self.
The ICC therefore needs to communicate and make itself known. Not an easy goal in an age where communication dominates every sphere. However, we must try to make our community more aware of the opportunities offered by ICCs. These opportunities span a wide range of interests from social relationships to business, and most importantly, strengthening the capacity to design and execute international service projects. The equation is simple: more ICCs can also mean more Global Grants.
In this challenge, we have one advantage: the audience we need to address is simply the Rotary family. We do not need to navigate the open seas. We just need to follow the route, calling at the “ports” of interest: making ourselves known to members, clubs, and districts. A widespread, grassroots effort is needed to spread awareness that, at an institutional level, the ICC exists within Rotary International.
We are convinced that if all or most Rotarians were aware and fully knowledgeable of what Intercountry Committees are, how they work, and the opportunities they offer, many more Rotarians would get involved.
Today, technology offers countless tools to facilitate communication at negligible costs, starting with social media, which never the less require particular care and attention when used. Today, a single post can go viral—and if it isn’t carefully prepared, it can backfire. It would be important to carefully select content, images, and videos, asking oneself first and foremost: “What message do I intend to convey with this post? And is this content consistent with the goals of the ICC?” Often, the enthusiasm for sharing
our experiences leads us to overlook the small details that make a difference. The most useful advice in these cases is to avoid compulsive posting, wait a few hours after a meeting concludes, and select the text and images with care.
Another important aspect is compliance with Rotary International’s communication guidelines, which many Rotarians, Clubs, and Districts often forget to follow. These guidelines are also essential for projecting an external image based on Rotary’s visual identity, a true calling card.
Among the various available tools, publishing periodic newsletters is highly recommended, as it strengthens relationships within each ICC community and allows information to circulate more rapidly.
The rest comes down to interpersonal relationships within the microcosm of each ICC, thanks to shared business interests, local needs, commercial ties, and cross-cultural exchange. All of this allows us to build together the dream of a Rotary community that, thanks to Intercountry Committees, is truly ready to fully realize Paul Harris’s vision and that motto which, for each of us, is a way of life: Service Above Self. For peace.
For the common good. For humanity.
Rotary Izmir Dokuz Eylül
District 2440, Turkey - Past District Governor
Past Rotary Public Image Coordinator
Turkish Rotary Magazine board member
Active member of the WASH and SRoF fellowships
TRF CADRE
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