The following is abridged from an article in the June 2003 Rotarian. Go to page 27 of that issue for more details.

JUST CLICK AND MAKE UP by Gary Hershner

The hits keep coming for Rotary's only cyber club

        Chartered January 2002 as Rotary's first Internet-based club, Rotary eClub One of District 5450 (www.rotaryeclubone.org) exists to serve Rotarians with special needs, including those who cannot maintain attendance at regular club meetings because of extensive business commitments and travel, health problems, or geographical isolation from existing clubs.

        Operating as part of the New Models for Rotary Clubs Pilot Project, eClub One has developed policies and proce- dures intended to maintain the essence of Rotary goals and values while providing online flexibility to its members, who now number about a dozen, and to the thousands of Rotarians who visit the site to make up missed meetings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

        The make-up component, which eClub One has designated as its international service project, began in February 2002. To date, more than 8,000 Rotarians have made up meetings by reading one of five informational programs linked to the site and completing a make-up form. The form asks the guest to discuss the information, including how it might relate to his or her home club's activities, and to suggest topics for future make-up programs.

        The eclub is a great way to make up; it offers the flexibility to learn about Rotary without having to make up at a club that only meets once a week. In a world where commitments are increasing and time stays the same, it's refreshing to have avenues such as eClub One.

        Members of eClub One also use the Internet to conduct board meetings, host the district governor's visit, pay dues, and evaluate project proposals. The club also provides a public forum where visitors can share their observations and suggestions about how to improve its services.

        "Except for the participation requirement and conducting our business on the Internet, eClub One is like any other Rotary club doing the things Rotary clubs normally do," says club president John Minter. "We visit other clubs. We attend presidents-elect training seminars, the International Assembly, district conferences, and Foundation dinners. We have yet to apply for a Matching Grant project, but we’re working on it. ane al members contribute $100 annually to a Paul Harris continuing membership.”

        The club has no geographical requirements, so the members may live anywhere in the world. Current members may propose new ones, or prospective members may fill out an online application form.

[The author, Gary Fletcher, is web master for the Rotary eClub One of District 5450.]

DG Note: Why would anyone want to join the eClub? While in Anaheim this past January for the International Assembly, I had one evening free and hopped in the hotel pool. While there I met a man who was a former Rotarian who had moved into an extremely remote Colorado location many miles away from any club. He sent an email to me a week or so later inquiring about the club, and I sent him information on how he could be a member of eClub One.