eClub Mentoring Program for New Members
“I would like to think that the pioneering days of Rotary have only just begun. There are just as many new things to be done as ever there were. Kaleidoscopic changes are taking place, many of them without our will. Even to hang on to the fringe of this fast-changing world is about all most of us can do. Rotary simply must continue to pioneer or be left in the rear of progress.”
The quote sounds contemporary, but actually they are the words of Rotary founder, Paul Harris, from February 1945. What I feel is so important is the recognition that the success of Rotary is still based on a pioneering spirit. Perhaps it’s prophetic that RECSWUSA’s home district 5510 is located in Arizona, where a certain American wild west pioneering spirit has always remained strong.
We are all pioneering a new worldwide eClub venture into the possibilities of Rotary. We don’t yet have all the answers for “how things work,” but we’re venturing forward. I like to think of it as “mentoring ourselves,” so I ask all our members both new and old to step forward in a pioneering spirit. Let’s start talking to each other and sharing interests and experiences. We can figure it out as we go. Everything and anything is possible. Get in touch with your geographically local traditional “terra clubs” and other service organizations and help them with hands on projects. Members can build service communities in there local areas then RECSWUSA can help bridge continents by involving them with our international projects, or helping them implement an international project they have in mind. We have website details and growing pains to work out, so a certain amount of patience is requested but there are no limits to what we can do. In a pioneering spirit we can mentor each other, so seek out other members, Please don’t sit back waiting for someone else to show you the way. Step forward - jump in! Call, email, Skype, whatever works, but let’s get together and start doing the work of Rotary
We’re not throwing away the traditional mentor roll, however, as fast as we're growing it's a serious challenge to find a sufficient number of traditional mentors. If you have relatively more experience in Rotary and/or eClub, formal mentors are still needed and can be a great asset to the club providing an initial point of contact for new members. You don't need to be an expert about the workings of eClub. If you're willing to be a mentor please let me know. If you're a new member, and don't yet have a formal mentor, please be a self starter. Post as much biographic information as you can, with particular emphasis on Rotary or other service interests and experience. There have been a few website glitches, particularly with respect to saving bios, so please be patient if you're having problems. Survey other member bios for like minded, or simply interesting members. We're international and we do have a fascinating breadth of members and experience. Send a message, introduce yourself, or simply ask for help. Check back periodically as more will follow.
