Tips for clubs

By joining forces, we can achieve much more. This is always the case. So, it is great when as many IW clubs as possible get involved with OTW. This can be done in various ways: it can be inward-focused (within the club) or also outward-facing.

See also the "How to" page for the 2025 campaign.

Within the club

Each club has its own, often busy, agenda and meeting structure. But there is surely a way to bring up Orange the World. This can be done by inviting a speaker, attending a film or theater performance together, or discussing a book - lots of examples of book, movies and tv series on the subject can be found here. Or play the empathy board game, designed by an IW member in India, to promote the players to talk about empathy.

The most important thing is actually the first step: putting the topic on the agenda, in whatever way possible. Look within your own network: does someone know social workers? Or someone from the police, from women’s and children’s shelters, or even brave survivors who are willing to share their stories? There are many possibilities, you can start as small or big as you want. Handing out oranges….. you will get questions….. A great option is to involve our (grand)daughters and help raise their awareness. 

You can also talk about it with other women in your network, bringing attention to the topic. For example, organize a movie night or a book club - lots of examples of books or movies on the subject can be found here. Or play the empathy board game, designed by 

Outside the club

As mentioned, the most impact is made by joining forces. UN Women, the Soroptimists, and Zonta have been working together in the Orange the World campaign in the Netherlands for several years. Inner Wheel joined later in 2022, together with other organizations. Maybe you can start a collaboration in your country or maybe there already are a few organizations working together……

In the Netherlands, each May, UN Women sends a letter to all municipalities in the Netherlands. The letter requests that buildings in the municipality be lit up and attention be paid to the OTW campaign in some way. In some municipalities, there is cooperation with existing institutions; some work with the Soroptimists, but others have not yet participated. Maybe you can send a letter to your municipality. An example of the letter we send is to be found in this link.

It all starts with finding out what OTW activities are already being organized in your region. The easiest way is to check if there is a Zonta or Soroptimist club nearby and collaborate with them. Cooperation will only increase the impact of your efforts. If this is not the case, as an Inner Wheel Club, you can certainly approach other clubs and the municipality to plan possible activities together.

Public Relations

Orange the World is a good topic to contact the press about: local newspapers, local radio, or TV stations. This can be done in cooperation with other organizations, municipalities, or as an IW club on your own. When organizing an action, such as raising the OTW flag or lighting up buildings in collaboration with the municipality, the press is easy to reach through the municipality. Of course, you can also go through the other organization you are working with or through your own network. This PR is important for raising awareness of Orange the World, but also for our own visibility. It’s a win-win situation. Also, use social media—your own Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts.

Examples from other clubs for inspiration