It was only five members, but last Thursday our club held its very first online meeting using the Zoom program. We thought we would start small, so we only sent last minute invitations to current Board members and another member who we know is already using Zoom to try out this technology. Like hundreds of other Rotary clubs around the world trying this method, our first meeting had some funny moments, but we all agreed this has real possibilities for keeping our members connected. What is Zoom? It's an online video conferencing program where all participants can see and hear each other on the screen and discussion can take place (see the photo). The free version can handle up to 100 people at once, but only for meetings of 40 minutes or less - although last Thursday, the company was feeling generous and let us have unlimited time - we went for just over an hour. To participate, a member needs to have a laptop, mobile phone or tablet, or desktop computer with both an attached camera (web-cam), microphone and sound (either headphones or loud speakers). In future, we will invite all members through an email link that the participant must click to join the meeting. When you click for the first time, the link will download and install (with your permission) the Zoom program and take you to the meeting screen where you will see all the other participants in little windows (see the picture of my desktop screen to the left). Of course, it's not quite that simple, and as with many things technological, little things can go wrong. So another option is for members to download and install Zoom before the meeting so you can check that your video, sound and microphone all work before you click the link. If you want some assistance in setting up, any of the people at last night's meeting can share their experience. Our aim is to have more members at next week's meeting and gradually build up the numbers as members set themselves up. Our next Zoom meeting is next Thursday at 6.30PM and we invite you to attend if you can. We will send out a page of instructions prepared by Pauline Stewart from our District leadership team to all members during this week.First Club Meeting with Zoom
It was only five members, but last Thursday our club held its very first online meeting using the Zoom program. We thought we would start small, so we only sent last minute invitations to current Board members and another member who we know is already using Zoom to try out this technology. Like hundreds of other Rotary clubs around the world trying this method, our first meeting had some funny moments, but we all agreed this has real possibilities for keeping our members connected. What is Zoom? It's an online video conferencing program where all participants can see and hear each other on the screen and discussion can take place (see the photo). The free version can handle up to 100 people at once, but only for meetings of 40 minutes or less - although last Thursday, the company was feeling generous and let us have unlimited time - we went for just over an hour. To participate, a member needs to have a laptop, mobile phone or tablet, or desktop computer with both an attached camera (web-cam), microphone and sound (either headphones or loud speakers). In future, we will invite all members through an email link that the participant must click to join the meeting. When you click for the first time, the link will download and install (with your permission) the Zoom program and take you to the meeting screen where you will see all the other participants in little windows (see the picture of my desktop screen to the left). Of course, it's not quite that simple, and as with many things technological, little things can go wrong. So another option is for members to download and install Zoom before the meeting so you can check that your video, sound and microphone all work before you click the link. If you want some assistance in setting up, any of the people at last night's meeting can share their experience. Our aim is to have more members at next week's meeting and gradually build up the numbers as members set themselves up. Our next Zoom meeting is next Thursday at 6.30PM and we invite you to attend if you can. We will send out a page of instructions prepared by Pauline Stewart from our District leadership team to all members during this week.