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Rotary E-Club One Takes Action following CoL Decision

By PP Chris Joscelyne – Rotary E-Club One – District 5450 Colorado

Rotary E-Club One is the world's first web based Rotary club, chartered January 4, 2002, as Rotary's first club with operations supported by web technologies and electronic communications. The mission of Rotary E-Club One is to connect, inform, inspire and involve members in Service Above Self. Rotary E-Club One is just like any traditional Rotary club. The only difference is that members meet on-line to coordinate service projects and enjoy fellowship with like minded Rotarians.

Following an eight year proof of concept pilot, during which fourteen Rotary e-clubs were chartered and evaluated, and the historical decision of the 2010  Council  on Legislation to make Rotary e-clubs  permanent, Rotary E-Club One has taken action to establish a new informational website for Rotary districts that are interested in establishing an Internet-based club. The launch of the new website www.rotaryeclubs.com will enable interested parties to get the information they need.

The Board of Rotary E-Club One has formally endorsed a 5-year commitment to this web project, with the website devoted entirely to the provision of practical information. The website will not be prescriptive (that is not our role) but it will be a  convenient reference point offering information, document templates, best practice recommendations and other helpful resources, drawing upon the experience of Rotary E-Club One and the other successful Rotary e-clubs that performed with distinction during the proof of concept pilot.

According to experienced Rotarians, there are critical strategic decisions (some quite complex) that a Rotary district must address before prescribing the type of Rotary e-club (pure or hybrid) and membership reach (district or global). Unless these fundamental issues and their key drivers are addressed at the very beginning, there is the risk of failure.

Successful Rotary e-clubs (pure e-club model or hybrid e-club model) have a number of common attributes including:

1. clarity of purpose

2. commitment to excellence

3. intelligent leadership

4. sound organizational planning

5. meaningful projects and activities

6. continuous contact with members

7. harmonious member interactions and fellowship

8. careful membership development

9. close engagement with the Rotary District

10. effective use of appropriate technologies

Readers may be surprised to see "technologies" as item 10 at the bottom of the list, rather than at the top. The most successful Rotary e-clubs knew from the beginning that technology is purely an enabler, nothing more.

Here are the nine most commonly asked questions about Rotary E-Club One:

1.     How many members do you currently have?

RESPONSE: Rotary E-Club One has 56 members as of April 2010. Our membership consists of experienced Rotarians and new Rotarians who are unable to belong to a traditional Rotary Club because they reside at a remote location or they are engaged in a demanding travel schedule. Without Rotary E-Club One these folk would be lost to Rotary. Our members have given over 200 years service to Rotary, and Rotary E-Club One provides the opportunity for them to continue to serve.

2. How do you publicize your web site?

RESPONSE: An article in "The Rotarian" generated significant interest in the early phase. Additionally, District Governors in the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK have recognized the value of Rotary E-Club One, and they have been spreading the word. Search engines have generated excellent visitor traffic to our web site too.

3. What's the number one thing Rotarians who are interested in joining E-Club One should know?

RESPONSE: In the case of Rotary E-Club One, each member must commit to a minimum of 12 hours personal service per calendar quarter. Interestingly, several of our members exceed the minimum by many hours each quarter, a tangible demonstration of commitment to our ideal of service. The range and variety of service projects reflects the diverse community interests of our members.

4. Is it just an answer for quick make-ups or do you offer more?

RESPONSE: Rotary E-Club One is a full-service chartered Rotary Club in every aspect of its management and activities, except that we do not meet for a meal, and our meetings operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On any day, visitors can select from many meeting programs (articles) ranging from Rotary information, case studies of successful service projects, news about our club activities, tips and hints for Rotary Clubs, and a personal growth department for Rotarians. There are many additional programs in the archives.

Rotary E-Club One members are actively engaged in Community Service, International Service, Vocational Service and Youth Service projects. These include:

• Duplin County Education Foundation (Rotary Leadership Scholarships)

• Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife

• Advanced RYLA in Singapore and Colorado USA

• Therapeutic Riding Program / Galt

• Preserve Planet Earth - Australian and Californian conservation volunteers

• Ivanhoe Grammar School Project - Cambodian Teacher Training Program

• Alola Scholarship Foundation

• Centro Educativo La Minga / Equador Water Project

• Centro Educativo La Minga / Equador - Education & Medical Complex

• Costalegre, Mexico

• Disaster Relief-Shelter Box (Samoa, Haiti and Chile)

• Gueoul Senegal - Internet Classroom

• H2O Project - RI/USAIDF

• HOPE Development, Cambodia, water wells (President’s Project)

• Philippines Flood Relief

• Ranfurly Library Book Aid

• Rotary Club of Dili Sister Club

• Rotary International Polio Plus Project

• Rotary Sanitation Project / Faso Water Wells

• Walk for Life - Clubfoot Bangladesh

Rotary E-Club One has consistently been awarded the  Rotary International Presidential Citation for service.

5. Who are your members?

RESPONSE: All members are Rotarians who sought membership of Rotary E-Club One because their professional commitments precluded them from participation in traditional terra Rotary Clubs. Several of our members travel constantly. Their membership of Rotary E-Club One gives them access to their E-Club anywhere there is an Internet connection. Some are highly experienced Rotarians who have already contributed elsewhere as Club President or District Governor.

6. How does someone join Rotary E-Club One?

RESPONSE: Membership in Rotary E-Club One is not an "easy" option. Requirements for admission to any Rotary club are stringent. For current Rotarians, Rotary E-Club One adds additional requirements including, written references from club president, and three (3) current Rotarians who will vouch for the applicant. Our rigorous screening of applicants is a necessary first step to ensure excellence.

7. As you are an international Rotary Club, do you have a home District?

RESPONSE: Rotary E-Club One is part of District 5450 Colorado USA. Our members reside in the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Philippines, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, Nigeria and other countries. All meetings, club business and club projects are conducted in English.

8. How does Rotary E-Club One support the Rotary Foundation?

RESPONSE: Rotary E-Club One has successfully achieved a goal of US $100 per member per year in Annual Giving every year since our inception. We have actively supported Matching Grants, Polio Plus, and the Permanent Fund. A majority of our members are Paul Harris Fellows.The all time giving of Rotary E-Club One for the Annual Program Fund of The Rotary Foundation has exceeded US $100,000 since it began as a Rotary Club January, 2002.  Members have also given to Donor Advised Funds, and there are 2 Major Donors in the current membership plus several PHF+8 members.

9. How can you have any fellowship in Rotary E-Club One?
RESPONSE: We have a weekly online fellowship meeting through our Fellowship Forum on our website. Also, with email, voice over IP, teleconferences, collaboration software and face-to-face meetings we have become a cohesive group of friends who share. We provide an opportunity for all our members to meet face-to-face once a year at our Annual Dinner during the Rotary International Convention.

If you are investigating the establishment of a new Rotary e-club, and you would like more information, you are invited to register online at www.rotaryeclubs.org