After examining for two years our programs in the Rotary eClub of the Southwest, USA and the reading in depth over the comments for the last eight months on our weekly eMeetings by visitors and members, it might be a time to “comment on comments.” What I have seen and observed is a global response to our eClub presentations, a variety of attitudes that are generated by the ideas presented, diversity of opinions on what is useful and what is not and a kind of awe and wonder about what an eClub can and does do in service to Rotary. Let me break down all these conflicting responses generated by visitors:

1)      The volume of responses: It is interesting to one who counts everything and makes observations about most things in general that, with only 43 members, the visitors to our weekly eMeeting presentations averages approximately 200 with the same Rotarians, an average of 130, making comments. This shows that what is presented is appreciated in the Rotary world by Rotarians the world over.

2)      The awe about what we do; a surprise really that an eClub can generated so much information for its members (and Rotarians making up missed meetings in their local “terra” clubs) and do so much while still meeting in virtual space, not a luncheon meeting. The twinning of our eClub with the Rotary Club of Provinciales, and the subsequent working together on an island project, astounded some Rotarians who had seen eClub as just a “whimsy” of a few visionaries.

3)      The amazing diversity of responses: of the over 130 commentaries to each eMeeting, there were some Rotarians who wrote volumes from the material presented and some who wrote only a few words of appreciation or criticism. One, in fact, just wrote “attended.”

4)      The attitudes that came through the written responses: these were interesting to the extreme: some thought that this was the future of what Rotary could do to break down the barriers of culture, borders, ethnic divisions and space/time limitations on communications between “all people” while others preferred their own local brand of Rotary (not global), telling stories of what their members had done in service. Either way, the attitudes acknowledged that this was a “useful service” to all Rotarians. In fact, a few said that without this virtual way to attend, they would have had to slip out of Rotary service.

5)      Mostly, the magic of an idea: written out on a virtual page, with the background of the eClub to support it by our President, Sergeant at Arms and others, which can be created in response by Rotarians in attendance. Ideas do have a life of their own which can be viewed across a luncheon table, over the telephone, in letter writing and through the virtual airwaves of the Internet. “The tool for learning is not as important as the message” is one of the clear meanings that can be seen when reading over all the comments to our weekly ePresentations at our eMeetings by our eClub members.

“eEnjoy and eLearn more about our eClub” is all that I have say in closing this “comment on comments.”

Joe

Joe Kagle

President, Rotary Global History Fellowship, 2007-2009

Professor of Art and Art History, Lone Star College-Kingwood, Texas

My granddaughter and her mother (my daughter), plus a dear business friend, all believe that "less is more" but I, like some of the comments from Rotarians that I get, believe that is only true when "more is not better." My father used to say, "Quality is cheap at any price," and I think that works in the comments made by visitors: some long and involved; some short but to the point. I read a short one today that struck some resounding cord in my Rotary self. It just said, "from a friend," and was signed, "Ruby Chang, Beijing." Comments can open doors to our expanded lives, even one so short but refreshingly to the essence of being a Rotarian. Wow. A short comment that works!

Joe

Joe, this is great  and will be posted - with your permission - in our club's next meeting. Attending Rotarians are asked - strongly encouraged - at visit this post and add comments.