LEVERAGING on technology amid the Covid-19 pandemic
The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly changing our world and our way of life, placing significant strains on health systems, essential public services and communities globally.
Millions are under lockdown, schools have closed, international travel has halted, global supply chains have been disrupted, and yet, COVID-19 continues on its global path, infecting multiple countries along the way.
The infectious disease was first reported to the World Health Organization on December 31, 2019. By January, it was linked to a family of viruses known as coronaviruses–the same family of viruses responsible for SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome, as well as some cases of the common cold.
By the time I penned this article, the World Health Organization (WHO) had reported a disturbing 693,224 confirmed cases across the globe, 33,106 deaths and 202 countries, areas or territories with cases.
Experts from WHO say that four out of five people infected with the virus got it from someone who did not know they had it. It is against this background that most countries across the globe have swung into action by declaring total lockdown or curfews to limit the movement of its citizens.
Just like any crisis, the coronavirus has created space for new opportunities for Rotarians and rotaractors to elevate their game and connect with the world.
Personally, I had never heard of “Zoom” before. This is a cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, collaboration, chat, and webinars across mobile devices, desktops, telephones, and room systems. Rotary has a zoom discount. It is 20% off either the monthly or annual service. The discount code is “ZoomRotary” that enables the discount once it is “Applied” on the purchasing page, or you can simply click on this link https://on.rotary.org/zoom.
In light of the uncertainty of the Covid -19 pandemic, clubs across the globe can leverage on this to conduct meetings online
Rotary Voices is sharing stories of how clubs and districts are implementing virtual meetings. Follow the timeline to ensure you don’t miss an inspiring story.
Best Practices for Conducting Online Meetings
- Choose the technology that’s right for your needs. Some free services limit the number of participants or the length of your meeting.
- Use video but provide an audio dial-in option. The ability to see and interact with fellow participants via technology like Zoom, GoToMeeting, and Google Hangouts helps keep everyone connected and engaged. However, not everyone will be able to join your meeting via video. Provide an audio option and consider recording the meeting and sharing it later.
- Stick to meeting basics. Use an agenda, set meeting ground rules, and clearly outline the next steps at the end of the meeting. If background information is required, be sure to share it with all participants beforehand.
- Rethink your meeting for an online format. Some parts of an in-person meeting don’t work well online. Develop your meeting content to eliminate or reformat activities that are best-done face-to-face.
- Keep it engaging. Keep things interesting by minimizing presentation length and maximizing discussion. Include polls, open Q&A, best practice sharing—anything that focuses their attention on the content and each other.
- Ask for support: Building a team allows people to contribute to the success of your meeting. Ask others to monitor chat boxes, answer questions during the call, and troubleshoot technical issues.
- Be prepared. Do a dry run with any presenters to be sure they know how to request control and share their screens. Log on early to test your audio and make sure all presenters are present.
People have been asked to stay home to minimize interaction.
But, once you are at home, what do you do?
One remarkable story of what Rotarians and Rotaractors can do while at home is Rotarian Boniface Ng’ang’a Nyambura from the Rotary Club of Kikuyu.
Rotarian Bonnie Kim, as he is commonly referred to, has accomplished not one, not two but an impressive 69 Courses so far in professional development and leadership skills from Rotary Learning Centre.
Inspiring, right?
Rotary Learning Center offers members a range of interactive courses on developing leadership skills to prepare for new Rotary roles. It gets even better; anyone with a “My Rotary” account can take a free course in the Learning Center!
With this achievement, Rotarian Bonnie Kim has earned 26 Badges and 366 Points so far and on the Global Leadership Board, he has clinched position number 49!
Course material is provided in a variety of formats, including PDF and Word documents, interactive e-learning modules, and videos. Only some e-learning modules have audio, but all of them enable you to decide when to go on to the next screen.
One of the most popular courses is Strengthen Rotary, which teaches members to incorporate Rotary values into everyday activities. The Rotary Club Central Resources course, another popular offering, helps members set goals and improve membership information
Who would have thought that when RI President Mark Maloney chose his theme of “Rotary connects the world” it would have been quite so topical!
After all, what’s your excuse to get bored at home?
Article by: Steve Maina || Rotaract Club of Nairobi Central
