GET READY FOR WORLD POLIO DAY 2025
Each year on 24th October, Rotary and Rotaract clubs and members around the world join with partners, health organizations, and public health advocates to mark and recognize World Polio Day. Across the globe, all clubs play a critical role by hosting events and activities to increase awareness about polio and raise funds toward eradicating it.
Why should my club do something for World Polio Day?
Most people who have heard of polio believe it no longer exists and few know that the disease still affects children around the world. While this is a testament to the great work of Rotary and its partners over the last 40+ years to reduce the disease by 99.9%, it has caused many individuals, communities and even countries to become complacent and ignore the fact that until polio is completely eradicated, it is just a plane-ride away from resurfacing. Additionally, it’s no secret that global health programs like the Global Polio Eradication Initiative are facing unprecedented funding challenges amid changing government priorities, rising rates of vaccine hesitancy, and the spread of misinformation. So why should Rotary members continue to care about polio eradication and World Polio Day? The simple answer:
Rotary made a promise to the children of the world that no child should suffer the consequences of this vaccine-preventable disease.
Through our collective voices and actions across the globe on 24th October, we can maintain our momentum toward fulfilling that promise.
How to get involved?
Plan Your Activity. If you haven’t started planning your World Polio Day event or action, now is the time! The Rotary Brand Center has a guide to help clubs plan successful events. Need help deciding what kind of event to have? Don’t have a lot of time to prepare? Here are some ideas to explore with your club including some that are easy to execute:
- Educate your members: Invite a local or regional PolioPlus Chair or Coordinator from the family of Rotary, or doctors or health experts to your club meeting closest to 24th October and ask them to speak on and discuss the importance of polio eradication and the role of Rotary.
- Illuminate your community: Raise awareness by organizing a light show in your city and projecting the End Polio Now logo on buildings, theaters, or other landmarks in your area.
- Engage the public: Set up a booth in a market, shopping mall, or public square and have members there wearing End Polio Now shirts or holding banners. You can also organize a walk or bike ride with other clubs, districts, or local organizations, friends and family.
- Host a fundraiser: Whether it’s large, medium or small in scale, host a fundraising event with proceeds going to Rotary’s PolioPlus Fund. Think about doing a World’s Greatest Meal event.
- Encourage donations: As a club or a member, use the Raise for Rotary platform, or start a fundraiser on Facebook. You can also donate directly to PolioPlus or become a member of your district’s PolioPlus Society.
- Collaborate on a social media campaign: Work with Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs in your area on a campaign to share engaging content on social media about the vital role that Rotary plays in the fight against polio.
Use Available Resources. Visit EndPolio.org and the Rotary Brand Center to access a wealth of images, videos, graphics, and templates related to PolioPlus and World Polio Day that you and your club can use for your events and activities.
Register Your Event. No action is too big or too small! Whether you’re hosting a fundraiser for World Polio Day, putting up a billboard to raise awareness, or giving a talk on polio at a local school, let’s show the world how Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs are taking action to #EndPolio by registering your club’s event or action before 24 October
Earn Your Recognitions. Every club and member is asked to contribute annually to Rotary’s PolioPlus Fund and there are several opportunities to be recognized for such contributions:
- District PolioPlus Society recognition for individuals who commit to and make a minimum annual contribution
- Global Paul Harris Society recognition for individuals who commit to and make a regular contribution of US $1000 or more every year
- Global PolioPlus Society Champion Club recognition for clubs which commit to and make a regular contribution of US $1500 or more every year
- Annual Rotary International Club Excellence Award recognition for clubs which make a contribution of US $1500 or more in any one year
One Day. One Focus: Ending Polio
Remember…World Polio Day is a time for all members of the Rotary family, as well as, public health advocates, and all who want a world free from polio to come together, recognize our progress in the fight to end polio, talk about how they can help and take action in order to keep Rotary’s promise to the children of the world, to be part of our Countdown To History, and to #EndPolioNow for good.
