A LOCAL Rotary club has turned to virtual meetings in response to the Federal Government’s restrictions on social gatherings.
The Renmark Rotary Club, which has “a big culture for fellowship” have been having online meetings via the video platform Zoom so the club could still perform business as usual.
“After the restrictions from COVID-19 were put in place across the county, the board members met to discuss how the club could get through this tough time,” said David Aitchison, Renmark Rotary Club president.
“As well as the work we do in the community, our club has a big culture for fellowship, and not being able to have that would’ve been detrimental.”
Mr Aitchison said the decision to have meetings online was “easy to make”.
“It was an easy decision to go with the Zoom platform and it was simple to set up,” he said.
“Some members had already used it, so from that point of view it made sense to go with it.”
Mr Aitchison said the club had conducted many meetings online.
“At first it was difficult, but our weekly bulletin editor has taken on the job of setting the meetings up and being the official chairperson,” he said.
“I think we’ve settled into a format for how the meeting can run effectively, but like everything else in the world at the moment, it’s a changing beast.”
Mr Aitchinson said approximately a dozen people tuned in to the first two meetings.
“The details of the meeting go out in our weekly bulletin and last week I asked members to actively talk about the experience and encourage some who may be reluctant to try it to get on and have a go,” he said.
“Our bulletin is also distributed to other clubs and previous members and they are more than welcome to join us too.
“Rotary is about all the things you see in public, but it’s also about connecting and fellowship.”
Mr Aitchinson described each meeting as “successful”.
“We’ve discussed quite a few initiatives, some of which have now been tasked to members and directors to carry out,” he said.
“Everyone has taken to it really well.
“It’s certainly no substitute for being able to sit or stand together and have a chat face-to-face, but it’s the next best things and better than losing touch altogether.”
For more information or to join in on a meeting, visit the club’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/renmarkrotaryclub/).