How to Keep Rotarians Connected with Weekly Meetings Cancelled

Rotary members are looking and finding ways to stay connected while weekly meetings have been canceled due to stay at home orders.   A couple of ways that have been used is Zoom technology and Facebook live.

 

The Twin Falls Blues Rotary Club has used the Zoom technology to do their 7am morning meeting.  A large number of the club membership attended the meeting.  Zoom gives you the ability for all participants to interact vocally as well as visually.

The other option that was implemented was Facebook Live feature. Kevin Bradshaw of the Twin Falls Rotary Club opened up his studio to hold the noon meeting. With the help of his friend Danny Loughmiller of Plant Therapy to run the OBS program software and the video switcher, Pres Elect Taylor Morgan and Kevin basically run through a normal weekly agenda. Interjecting prerecorded video from club president, music committee, etc. This last week they added a prerecord audio guest, Dr. Joshua Kern from St. Luke’s as the main program speaker. Viewers can post comments or questions during the show that the hosts can respond too. A “Question of the Week” gives the option of viewers to win a donated food card prize donated by a member.

 

Twin Falls Rotary April 1^st online meeting.  https://vimeo.com/403045801

 

 

Facebook Live doesn’t have to be that technical.  It can be as simple as a club president with a webcam to conduct a Live Meeting while members watch on Facebook. 

The Facebook is captured and remains posted on the clubs Facebook website until it’s deleted.  There are ways to capture the recording and post on YouTube or Vimeo. Those that don’t have FB or won’t sign up for it, then a link to the YT or Vimeo can later be sent to other members. Facebook also invites and allows non-Rotarians to participate and see Rotary in Action.

 

And as I write this, Facebook Messenger has come up with an app to allow multiple person video conferencing. Here’s a link that a friend of mine sent.  https://a.msn.com/r/2/BB124P0Z?m=en-us&ocid=News

 

Of course, the last way to stay connected to your membership simply via email, text or simple one on one phone call.   

This is not the first time Rotary clubs had to shut down, but with today’s technology we can still stay connected and communicate in ways to give service.  We’ll see you back in our regular club meetings soon.