Quota Cares Month 2003 Honorable Mention Winner
Quota International of Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, District 26
Winning Project: Quota Diabetes Awareness Day

Bathurst Quota members enjoy partnering with Diabetes Australia members in this joint project.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Quota International of Bathurst combined forces with the Bathurst Branch of Diabetes Australia, N.S.W., to support diabetes awareness during Quota Cares Month. The major activity was the operation of an Awareness Day stand in the largest local shopping complex on Thursday, March 13, 2003, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Quota members distribute information packages and sell books at a booth the club is sponsoring with Diabetes Australia in honor of Diabetes Awareness Day.

An excellent display of diabetes information posters, brochures, and publications were combined with promotion of Quota International of Bathurst and our current fund-raising event and raffle, which is supporting diabetes research.

QI of Bathurst community services committee chairperson Judy Rowling and vice president Wendy Smyth stand in front of the Quota banner as they distribute information.

Over 300 information packages were distributed to the public by Diabetes Australia and Quota members. The packages contained current brochures, self-assessment guides, and other valuable information on this disease, which affects one in four Australians.

As diabetics depend on a number of health specialists such as diabetes educators, podiatrists, eye specialists, and dieticians, a number of these health professionals were in attendance during the day to talk to people. People with diabetes were also on hand to talk with anyone, particularly those who have been newly diagnosed, and answer questions on how they handle their diabetes. Cookbooks for diabetics, books on diabetes, various types of blood glucose meters, first-aid kits, and more were sold. Donation buckets for diabetes research were strategically placed on the stall and many cash donations were received.

A Diabetes branch member shows off the wares at the Quota Bathurst Diabetes Awareness Day booth.

The Awareness Day was aimed at and achieved the following:

• Providing current information concerning the control of diabetes.
  
  
• Raising awareness of the condition. Many people have diabetes and do not realize it.

Sally Moore, president of QI of Bathurst, and Alan McRae, secretary and publicity officer of the Bathurst branch of Diabest Australia are pictured here with some of the information to be given out at the Diabetes Awareness Day booth.

• Helping the Bathurst community to be made aware of the disease as well as its symptoms.
  
  
• Letting people know diabetes can be managed and diabetics can live a fulfilling and normal life.

RELATED RECRUITMENT ACTIVITIES

• Display boards at the Awareness Day included general information about Quota International of Bathurst, including information to aid recruitment, such as a little history, what Quota stands for, who the members are, where the money goes, recent activities, etc.

Quota members share information about Quota in front of the QI of Bathurst banner.

• Extensive promotion in the local media gave visibility to the large number of events Quota Bathurst held in February, March, and April (International Night, Garage Sale, Bride of the Year Quest, Diabetes Awareness Day, and Diabetes Raffle). Additional promotion by Diabetes Australia has raised the profile of Quota in Bathurst.
  
  
• This higher profile will support our continuing recruitment campaign. I have not had anyone ask me lately, "What is Quota?" They seem to know now. Our article in the Diabetes Newsletter included a profile on Quota—who we are, what we do, and how to join.
  
  
• Quota members being seen in action at the shopping center on this day and the various raffle-selling days prior and after has assisted our profile and our chances of gaining new recruits. Information packages about joining Quota have been sent to four people during the month of March as a result of our presence at the shopping center. A new recruitment campaign is being planned as a follow-up.

MEDIA/COMMUNITY EDUCATION

• To assist Quota members in understanding diabetes and to prepare for the day, Quota members underwent their own education program. After initial contact with members of the local diabetes branch, we invited the local diabetes educator from our Health Department to attend one of our business meetings as a guest speaker. This was followed up with the planning committee (five members) meeting with some members of the local diabetes branch to share their stories and plan the event together.
  
  
• The local Diabetes Australia branch obtained current information, publications, and equipment from appropriate sources and invited health professionals from the region to attend on the day.
  
  
• An article from Quota in the local Diabetes Australia newsletter advised the 100 members of the details of our project and they were also sent a Quota raffle book to sell for our diabetes fund-raiser.
  
  
• An extensive media campaign was planned jointly by both groups using our combined skills, contacts, and influence.
  
  
  • Print:
    Excellent coverage was received in our major local newspaper—with two articles with photos appearing the week of the activity, following some previous good promotion. Promotion in other regional papers was also received.
    
    
  • Radio:
    Community announcements were made on all four local radio stations and the regional ABC station.
    "Talk Back" radio sessions were conducted on the day before and the day of the event by Diabetes Australia and Quota members.
    
    
  • Television:
    Community announcements were televised on two regional television stations.
    
    
• Extensive media promotion was being run at the same time for our Bride of Year Quest and Raffle, with proceeds going to the Diabetes Australia. This proved to be an excellent link and resulted in double promotion and success for both events.

Community education:

• Over 300 general information packages were handed out to the public on the day of the event.
  
  
• Many diabetics and diabetic caregivers attended to ask a specific question of a professional or a person with diabetes. Many specific publications were taken and purchases of books and equipment made.
  
  
• The local Diabetes Australia support branch also recruited new members, particularly to receive the monthly newsletter.

The two groups sharing resources and networking together resulted in an excellent media and public education campaign.

BENFITS TO CLUB, COMMUNITY
Combining our diabetes activity with Quota Cares Month was an excellent choice—it had many benefits:

• It raised the awareness of Quotarians of diabetes and just how many people in our local area are affected by the condition.
  
  
• The joining of forces of two organizations resulted in a very worthwhile community service.
  
  
• Excellent publicity was gained for both clubs.
  
  
• New friendships and networking frameworks were established with the Diabetes Australia branch and health workers.
  
  
• The community welcomed the opportunity to receive new information and talk to diabetics.
  
  
• Many diabetics specifically came to the shopping center as a result of advertising to get information or to ask a certain question.
  
  
• The presence of our members at the local shopping center for this activity and the selling of raffle tickets for diabetes research has raised the profile of Quota in our local community.
  
  
• The partnership continues—members of the Diabetes Australia Bathurst branch have booked a table at our Bride of Year Quest, and we look forward to sharing a social evening with them. A Diabetes Australia representative is one of our judges and our raffle with proceeds going to Diabetes Research will be drawn.