The Thing About Acronyms

Acronyms are great.  They are a superb aid to speed reading and a wonderful aid to a lazy sod like me who just wants to dash of a letter or read a speech just that little bit quicker and who really cares if people know what the heck I am talking about or not ...  I seem really knowledgeable and they’ll get the gist I’m sure.  Or will they?

After all what we write and speak is often read or heard by non-Rotarians and new Rotarians not yet versed in how Rotary works and what Rotary does.  We are probably trying to get these very people to join in with what we do but how can they if we are incomprehensible?  Even when no acronyms are used they have enough on their plate to try and understand the depth of meaning and detail behind our terminology and programmes anyway without making it impossible to reach first base.

RYLA is a great programme but Rotary Youth Leadership Awards at least gives people some initial idea what is being talked about.  Likewise RLI is a must for all new Rotarians but was that the Redeemers Leadership Institute?  ... oh, you mean ROTARY Leadership Institute! ... now I sort of get that I might be able to learn more about Rotary.  LETS! Lets what?  SPPETS ... is that a speaker from the SPCA at our next club meeting?

The reality in not using acronyms is that it does not slow reading.  It only micro-marginally increases the time it takes to deliver a speech.  It does mean your text and talk make sense to those on the receiving end and their increased understanding about the topic encourages further enquiry from them and motivates them to become involved.  Strangely, THAT is why we slaved for hours writing our delivery anyway and even in casual conversation by studiously avoiding the use of acronyms we achieve better results, every time.
 

"BTW" - for the uninitiated LETS is Leaders Elect Training Seminar otherwise known as a District Assembly and SPPETS is the New Zealand-based districts South Pacific Presidents Elect Training Seminar. 

It is also acknowledged that many other organisations have the same issues, the difference is we are doing something about improving how we communicate.