Posted: 2 years ago

I was talking the other day, by email of course, with Bob Hand about the duties of a Sargeant at Arms for an eClub and I mentioned to him that his 'room was the world'. All the duties that a SAA needs to do in an eClub has one reality: we are a global/local Rotary Club (official now) with a membership that is International. Bob is working on those "undiscovered-country" duties an eClub SAA has to consider and do. Any help that our members can give Bob, please sent him a note of help!

In the same way of thinking (our room to meet is the world; the table where we sit across from other members is our Profile Section), the only way that we can first get to know each other is sit across the table of our PROFILES. Every member needs to have a fully-filled-out profile and A PICTURE of him or her.

Now, one creative picture (which I as an artist think is 'cool') on our Profiles is a cartoon image of that member since she has a keen sense of humor and probably does not like all the photographs that might have been taken of her. That is fine. I like it. It does tell us something about this special member. I would not be surprised if a member showed a favorite childhood toy as their picture. That tells us reams of information. Some would be surprised, but not me. Later, they might feel comfortable enough to reveal their contemporary face.

Steve Canter needs your help on this dilemna of members hiding on the Internet (he is Membership Chairman). There are 17 members without pictures (and on the Internet that is a notice that they want to hide and that is not why we have an eClub- it may not be true but that is the percetion; and perception in the 21st century is considered reality). I have not looked at who has not fully filled out their published profile/resume but I am sure that Steve is looking there now. He is serious about getting everyone to place a picture and complete their requirements for membership (a completed profile/resume). I think that he is right: we sit across from our Profiles to begin to get to know each other, we discuss with each other (communication on the Internet) who we are and what we want out of the eClub, and as an added bonus, we choose to give service within the eClub, while gathering the fruits of our efforts, the pleasure of a job well done when we help others around the globe and locally.

As a fully-accepted member of the Rotary International family, we need to allow our visitors and our fellow members to know us. This is just our public persona we are showing on our Profiles; only our friends know us intimately (but maybe some of those friends-to-be are in the eClub but they know nothing about what we look like or what we are all about in Rotary because we give the perception that we want to hide).

Think about it. Bob and Steve have started me to think about it.

Joe

Posted: 2 years ago

I agree with Joe.  I'm thinking that many, if not all, of our members have a webcam at their computer.  The picture I posted on my profile was taken with the webcam.  In other words, that is "me" sitting "across the table" from you, the visitor to the club forum.  I might not be the handsomest guy in the world, but it's still me, or rather, a likeness of me.  I would like to see a likeness of you when we chat.  Whatever you think is a "likeness" is OK with me.

I'm busier than I expected to be, with various activities, in my new life in Brazil.  So I have spent some time organizing my agenda so that I devote adequate time to Rotary eClub of the Southwest.  It's an important part of my life.  I believe that, as we learn more about each other, the eClub will become an important part of the lives of all members.

Rotary eClub of the Southwest has been a pioneer in the eClub category and their work over the past eight years has resulted in the eClub concept becoming a permanent part of Rotary International.  That was not done with a bunch of isolated individuals.  It was a group effort of people who believed in the concept.

The best way we can thank those pioneers is to participate just as we would with a local "terra" club.  So, I urge you to update your profile with as much information about yourself as you're willing to share, including a photo, caricature, or other "likeness" that we can identify you with.

I'm looking forward to it.