These are a series of articles that appeared in Rotary Africa, the regional Rotary magazine for Rotarians in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, from November 1997 to June 1998. They were compiled by PP Denis Browne of The Rotary Club of Durban Thekwini.

Where can YOU:

• Read the latest news from Rotary International
• Establish the meeting times and venue of any club
• Find out all about the International Travel and Hosting Fellowship and how to join
• Look up the history of our emblem
• Participate in a Virtual Rotary Meeting
• Communicate with Rotarians, GSE Team Members, Youth Exchange Students and Inner Wheel members throughout our global village
• Find out about a WCS Projects Exchange

TO COMMUNICATE AND TO ACCESS ROTARY INFORMATION

Get connected to the INTERNET

"The information superhighway, as the Internet is commonly called, is rapidly becoming another Avenue of Service for Rotarians" (Rotary World November/December 1996)

This statement sums up the role and importance that the Internet is going to have on all Rotarians. The Object of Rotary and the Four Avenues of Service are fundamental to us all. This new Avenue of Service is exciting, ever evolving and opens up a new and all encompassing world where we can all learn, communicate, share and interact and access information more timeously than ever before.

This INTERNET COLUMN is going to be a regular feature in Rotary Africa.

• The Internet - friend or foe!
• What is all the hype about e-mail?
• Discover what is happening electronically in the Rotary global village
• The vision of Rotary International in terms of electronic communication and what advances are they making
• Districts and Clubs - their e-mail and Home Page addresses
• What are the benefits of electronic communication to Rotarians
• The sharing of hints and tips
• What do YOU think about this form of communication?
• Do YOU have any questions and queries that you would like to air
• Are there any related topics that YOU feel we should be discussing

These are a sprinkling of the topics that will be covered as we explore, discover and learn about this whole New World. A medium that is here to stay. A medium that is growing. It will affect ALL of us directly and indirectly in our daily lives.

Computer technology has developed rapidly over the past two decades. 15 to 20 years ago corporations needed large areas to house their mainframes to run their business and accounting applications. Computers eventually became smaller in size but resources have never been greater. Small organizations used them to replace manual typewriters with word processors. From the desktop came laptops and notebooks. Their size allows for mobility and today a computer has become a communication tool. Apart from being able to type letters, create spreadsheets one is able to send and receive faxes, connect to your business computer system no matter where you are in the world in order to access information. The greatest advancement is the instantaneous world of local and international communications, e-mail and the Internet.

Is the Internet only for computer scientists, computer engineers, computer programmers and propeller heads? http, www, @, ftp, TCP/IP, ISP, html, URL, Modem, LAN, POP, PPP, WAN, .com,. co.za, hyperlink, e-mail, IP Address, sub-net mask, gateway….. NO, it is for you and me, your partners, children, grandchildren, friends and business associates. Do not be put off by these computer network terms and Internet jargon. Every industry and profession has their own unique abbreviations. The Internet is no exception. You do not need to know what they mean to benefit from and enjoy this medium.

To get connected you need:

1. A computer
2. Software
3. A modem
4. A telephone line
5. An Internet Service Provider

By having these five items you can enter cyberspace, the information superhighway and visit these information filled sites:

Rotary International http://www.rotary.org

The Unofficial Guide to Rotary http://www.tecc.co.uk/public/PaulHarris/

The International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians http://www.icufr.org

Rotarians On The Internet http://www.es.co.nz/~rotary/roti.htm

World Service Database http://www.rotaract.de/service

Remember! Any recognized Rotary entity that is creating a Home Page must adhere to the RI Policy for Use of Electronic Communications.

Rotary Africa December 1997/January 1998

What is the information superhighway, the Net, the Internet? Think of a network of computers, for example walk into an office or store and you will find computers on the desks or till points. Cables link them all so that they can share information and printers. Now imagine that network of computers all connected together by telephone lines spanning the entire world.

The Internet is a network of networks. It connects thousands of Internet connected computers together. These computers speak the same language TCP/IP (transmission control protocol / Internet protocol. These computers are all connected via the telephone system but unlike with telephones where you dial direct to the person you want to speak to, when you use the internet you travel through many different computers to reach your destination like going from bus stop to bus stop. But with the net, there is a big difference and advantage - you only pay the telephone call to the first computer you contact, for example, to talk to a Rotarian in Japan or download data from Evanston it is only a local telephone call.

The Internet is the most revolutionary medium for research, information sharing and communication the world has ever seen. It is turning the world into a global village. It is the cheapest form of local and international communication. It is one of the fastest growing business environments in the world.

The Best of the Rotary Web 1997

With the arrival of the festive season you will hopefully have time to surf the Rotary web and to visit the winners of the Best of the Rotary Web 1997. Roger Siddle, a director of the International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians (ICUFR) recently advised the results of the polls to the Rotary global village:

THE POLL WINNERS:

Best Club Site

1st: Zamboanga City - http://www.jetlink.com.ph/users/rczc/

2nd: San Salvador Cuscatlan - http://www.gbm.net/rotary_cuscatlan

3rd: Helsinki Eira - http://jarvi.vk.hk.hit.fi/roteira

Best District Site

1st: 1420 - http://yritys.kolumbus.fi/rotary/D1420/

2nd: 9980 - http://www.es.co.nz/~rotary/home.htm

3rd: 5060 - http://www.sd83.bc.ca/comm/rotary/rotary.htm

Best Rotaract Site

1st: Rotaract Club of Malacca - http://www.ag.com.my/d3310/Rotaract/

2nd: Cuscatlan-ESEN - http://www.gbm.net/rotary_cuscatlan/rotaract

3rd: Rotaract District 2420 - http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Marina/1571/

Best Interact Site

1st: Interact Club Headquarters on the Internet -  http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/home/jhwang/interact/index.html

2nd: SFI Interact Club - http://www.webcom.com/lwloo/SFI_Interact_Club/

3rd: Club Interact Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico 4150 -http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Quad/1142/

Best of the Rest

1st: Rotarians On The Internet Home Page - http://www.es.co.nz/~rotary/roti.htm

2nd: Fellowship on Population and Development - http://www.sd83.bc.ca/comm/rotary/ifpd/ifpd.htm

3rd: World Service Database - http://www.rotaract.de/service

Definition for the month:

Hyperlink: a coloured or underlined text that you click on to go to a file, a location in a file or an HTML page on the World Wide Web.

Visit these sites:

Rotary International http://www.rotary.org

District 9270 http://www.rotary.lia.net

Rotary Africa February 1998

Electronic Mail is gaining momentum. What is e-mail, this revolutionary form of electronic communication? Initially there were telegraphic addresses, then telex addresses followed by facsimile numbers and now e-mail addresses. Electronic mail is the equivalent of letters, telegrams and faxes. E-mail addresses are becoming as common as telephone and facsimile numbers on personal and business letterheads and calling cards.

E-mail is probably the most effective online tool for communicating quickly, effectively and at a low cost. This medium allows you to send messages to anyone with an e-mail address wherever they are in our global village. There are no time barriers; you do not have to worry about waking them up in the middle of the night. The recipients of messages can retrieve them at their leisure whether they are at home or work, in London or Cape Town, whether it is 11:00 or 23:00.

"Snail mail" is a phrase coined to describe traditional mail sent via the postal service. A letter sent from South Africa to Germany could take 7 days whereas an e-mail message to the same destination will only take 10 seconds! However, the concept of sending an e-mail message compared to a posted letter is similar in that they both use unique addresses in order for it to be delivered. Every e-mail user has an electronic address and a message moves electronically through the network of Internet connected computers until a system recognizes the address and delivers it to the appropriate site. The recipient then retrieves it when the electronic mailbox is opened.

One of the advantages of this form of communication is that one has the ability to "attach" files. These can be graphics, sound or documentation files. Imagine the joy you would feel when you receive a colour picture of your new granddaughter born just minutes before in Montreal or receiving a birthday greeting, from your son in Auckland, in his own voice. Get connected to the Internet and start communicating electronically you will wonder how you ever did without it!

Replies and Reviews:

• PP Leon Ettin, Rotary Club of Orange Grove, wrote "your editorial said that through the Internet you can talk to a Rotarian in Japan … can one also speak at the same time to more than one person?" Yes one can. Your question highlights some of the benefits of the Internet. One can correspond with the Japanese Rotarian via e-mail. By visiting the RI home page http://www.rotary.org you can download data, for example, the Registration form for the Presidential Conference in Rio, Information about Rotary's Poverty and Hunger initiatives and read the current issues of The Rotarian and Rotary World. With the use of Internet communication software one can speak, in real time, via the keyboard or with a microphone and speakers, with Rotarians in Japan and Evanston and throughout the world. The key factor is that all those that you want to chat to must have compatible software.
• Rotarian Richard Majewski, Rotary Club of Newlands wrote "Newlands have posted a website at http://www.bronze.co.za" Visit this site to see their unique way of linking to the RI home page, District 9350 page, discovering Cape Town and Newlands and the Club. Read about their Fundraising activities and their Community Service projects, the St. Francis Study Centre and the CLE Literacy Project.
• Visit the home page of the only Breakfast club in District 9270, the Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana http://www.rotary.lia.net/durbanum/. This club is home to Rotarian Alan Longhurst the Webmaster of the District 9270 site.
• Read about the Makaputu Children's Trust situated at the top of the Valley of 1000 Hills at http://www.icon.co.za/~schroder/rotary. Rotarian John Schroder from Hillcrest, will be there to welcome you and to receive your comments.
• For this Rotary year, The Rotary Club of Quatre-Bornes, Mauritius, District 9220 is focusing on, inter alia, a better future for the World's children. Read about their club and initiatives at http://www.edoma.com/rotary/. Rotarian Rachid Karroo maintains the club's pages.
• Interested in aviation, visit The International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians (IFFR). The home page of the IFFR (Africa Region) is at http://www.sccr.co.za/iffr.htm

Pictures of the Month: Meet the following Rotarians:

Rotary Africa Editor, Derrick Couper http://www.compunik.com/vmall/rotary/roti/coupede.htm

The Internet Column's Denis Browne http://www.compunik.com/vmall/rotary/roti/brownde.htm

Join ROTI, Rotarians on the Internet. Visit ROTI at http://www.es.co.nz/~rotary/roti.htm and the ROTI Photo Gallery at http://www.compunik.com/vmall/rotary/roti/ Let us know when we can all meet You.

Rotary Africa March 1998

WWW: The World Wide Web.

Have you made the journey? Many have never travelled along nor browsed the Word Wide Web (WWW). However, you have probably heard about it and have been exposed to various home page addresses in publications (including The Rotarian and Rotary Africa) on television advertisements, on company stationery, on signboards, on clothing and on various packaging.

The WWW is an enormous database. It is here where you can access information from the aardvark to zymology, tour the Vatican or listen to the plenary sessions at the RI Annual Convention all in the comfort of your home. Apart from the written word the web allows images, animation, audio and video to be accessed by your computer.

Where did it all start? Tim Berners-Lee of the European Particle Physics Laboratory in Geneva created the web as a result of scientists needing to communicate more efficiently with researchers throughout the world.

How does it work? Most web site addresses follow a basic format. The address for RI is http://www.rotary.org. The "http://" tells the web browser that it is looking for a page on the Internet. The "www" is a reminder that it is a page on the World Wide Web. The name of the web page is "rotary" and "org" signifies that it is an organization as opposed to a company "co".

The idea is that key words in one text contain links to other texts that expound on the keyword or on the original text which themselves contain links to yet more texts. In other words the web works on links or connecting bridges to move from one set of data to another i.e. to move from one page to another. When the cursor changes to a hand it has found a link to another page. For example while browsing the RI home page you may come across The Rotarian in blue writing. Your cursor becomes a hand and by clicking on the word The Rotarian it will take you to the following address http://www.rotary.org/publications/magazines/the_rotarian. It is here that you can read the latest and back issues of the magazine.

Images can also be links to other pages. You may see the logo of the publication the Rotary World. One click on this image will take you to http://www.rotary.org/publications/ri-world/. You can then peruse the latest issue of the publication.

Definitions:

• Web browser: is a programme installed on your computer that reads web pages.
• HTTP: HyperText Transfer Protocol. This is used to transfer data between a web browser and a web site.

• http://www.tempesouth.org/ the home page of the Rotary Club of Temple South, Arizona has an interesting opening to their site. You can then meet the club’s Youth Exchange Student, read the message board and the activities of the club.
• The Rotary Club of Pasir Gudang in Malaysia has launched its home on the Internet at http://www.freeyellow.com/members2/rcpgmy/. See its animated RI theme and flying Malaysian flag. Read all about "Project Vision" (look at the eyes!) and the History of the Rotary Wheel.
• The Districts of Southern and Eastern Africa web site was initiated as an International project of the Rotary Club of Pretoria Hatfield. Webmaster, Rotarian Winstone Jordaan looks forward to welcoming you at http://www.rotary.org.za/. This page includes links to other Districts including a map of all districts in Southern and Eastern Africa.
• If you are a 1997/98 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar you must sign up for an Online Celebration at http://www.rotary.org/whats_news/webevent.htm.
• Are you going to the 1998 RI Convention in Indianapolis? If so, to find out more about the daily programme, scheduled events, Homestay and an overall preview visit http://www.rotary.org/meetings/international/convention/.
• http://196.7.177.40/riel/ is where you will find the web site of the Rotary Clubs of East London (Arcadia, Beacon Bay, Bonza Bay, East London, Gately and Gonubie).

Rotary Africa April 1998

Mailing Lists and Listservers - Your questions answered

This is part one of a two-part discussion on Mailing Lists. I am grateful to Rotarian Irwin Taranto for compiling a detailed list of Frequently Asked Questions relating to Mailing Lists and for allowing it to be shared with all Rotarians. In advertising there is a saying, "every year there are millions of new people who have never heard of your product." The following is a primer on the Rotary Mailing Lists.

• What is a mailing list?

A central list of email addresses which provides the ability for any member of the list (subscriber) to send and receive mail to and from any other member on the list. Each subscriber controls the ability to receive mail, send mail, receive copies of the mail they post, and search previous messages for specific information.

• What general Rotary mailing lists are available?

There are five maintained at domain taranto.com:

Rotary - for general discussions of Rotary topics

Rotachat - for chatting and fellowship

ICUFR - for discussion relating to the International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians

4avenues - for discussion relating to the Avenues of service

Interact - for discussion relating to Youth service

And one maintained at domain listserv.prodigy.com:

Rotary - for all of the above

• Are there others?

Yes. There are several with specific purposes including:

RIBI - for Rotarians in the British Isles

ROTI-G - for German speaking Rotarians

ROTI-L - for Latin American Rotarians

NWSBSKT - to receive by email the weekly Rotary Newsbasket

To subscribe send a message to: listserv@cx823734-a.cv1.sdca.home.com In the text of the email put the words: subscribe rnwsbskt.

• Who controls the mailing lists?

A list manager and a list owner control mailing lists. The list manager controls the computer and software that serves the list. The list owner serves the subscribers to the list. Being a list owner can be a big job. They are volunteer Rotarians who give their time to support the list subscribers. The list owners:

1. Answer subscribers’ questions.
2. Review and possibly act on subscription messages. The list owner receives a copy of each message sent to the listprocessor; i.e. subscribing, unsubscribing.
3. Review and possibly act on error messages. The list owner receives an error message every time something occurs that is not in accordance with listserver rules. Most errors occur due to non-delivery.

• Who are the Rotary list managers and owners?

The POSTMASTER manages the lists at the domain where the list resides.

The list owners are as follows:

For domain taranto.com:

Rotary - Dave@starflinn.com (Dave Flinn)

Rotachat - irwin@taranto.com (Irwin Taranto)

ICUFR - ghankin@fox.nstn.ca (Gord Hankin)

4avenues - ghankin@fox.nstn.ca (Gord Hankin)

Interact - irwin@taranto.com (Irwin Taranto)

For domain listserv.prodigy.com:

Rotary - billo@home.com (Bill Herr aka Billo)

• What is a list server?

A list server (listserv) is the program on the computer at the list’s domain that automatically maintains the list and all functions thereof.

• What kind of computer and Internet connection is required to run a list server?

Almost all listserv’s are run on UNIX based computers due to their multi-processing capabilities which permits the listserv to run continuously and independently of all other uses. The Internet connection may be dialup or direct, but if dialup, it must be able to download and upload mail without human intervention on a 24-hour/7 days a week basis.

• What is a list processor?

A list processor is the part of the listserv software that automatically controls the administrative functions of the list as opposed to the controlling of the message handling.

• What is the difference between a list server and a list processor?

A list processor is a part of a list server.

• How do I subscribe to a Rotary mailing list?

To subscribe to one or more email mailing lists at the taranto.com domain,

Send a message, no subject, to: listproc@taranto.com

The message should be: subscribe <listname> <firstname> <lastname>

To subscribe to the email mailing lists at the listserv.prodigy.com domain,

Send a message to majordomo@listserv.prodigy.com

The message should be: subscribe rotary <your email address>

Note that if you are going to be away from your mail box for any length of time, be considerate of the list owner and unsubscribe or set the delivery to "postpone" so that your mail box doesn’t fill up and your mail gets rejected.

• If I subscribe will I start to receive a lot of "junk" mail?

No. While the lists are not moderated, which means that any subscriber can post a message, the owner’s job is to make sure the any address that sends "spamming" type mail be banned from using the lists. The owner receives a copy of any subscription request and can remove a subscriber if need be.

• Are there other commands I can use to get information about the list itself?

Yes. To get a list of the commands available, send the message HELP to listproc@taranto.com or majordomo@listserv.prodigy.com as applicable.

Rotary Africa May 1998

• How do I post a message to a mailing list? When you subscribe to a list, you will receive posting instructions. Be sure to save the welcoming message. In general to post a message you send the message to <listname>@<domain>. In order to post, the message must be sent from the address from which you subscribed. Remember that only a subscriber can post to a list.

• Which of the lists should I use to post my message? Post to the list that is most applicable to the subject. If the list(s) you are subscribed to don’t cover your subject, subscribe to one that does. Avoid cross posting to more than one list. Most subscribers are on more than one list and receiving multiple copies of a message can be annoying.

• Are there any rules concerning the posting of messages? The general rule is to make sure a message passes the four-way test. Avoid graphics and attachments.

• What should I do if I change my email address? The best thing to do is to unsubscribe at the "old" address and then re-subscribe at the new address. If you fail to unsubscribe from the "old" address, then the message sent to the "old" address will probably be returned and cause a hassle for the list owner.

• How do I tell where a message came from? Every message contains a header, which in the case of list messages contains two From lines. One advises that the message came from the listserv and the other advises the original sender.

• Should I use attachments for posting pictures and other binary data? Avoid posting pictures and other binary data. You should first, advise the list of what is available and invite individuals to request the complete file. If the majority of a list should request the complete file, then it may be okay to post, providing it does not exceed the message limit.

• Should I post messages in HTML format? Avoid HTML format. Many email readers do not automatically translate HTML format and the message gets lost within all the embedded commands.

• How can I get a list of the subscribers to a list? At the taranto.com domain the subscriber lists are deliberately kept hidden from inquiry. This is in accordance with RI policy and to prevent the list from being used for commercial or spamming purposes.

• Why don’t I receive all the mail that gets posted to the list? There are several things that cause a person’s emails to bounce, such as the subscriber’s mailbox being full, the person having changed their email address without unsubscribing their old email address, the ISP host being off line for maintenance for a number of hours, days, or weeks, and too many hops to get to the subscriber. If the list owner receives error messages from your mail, to avoid the filling of his mailbox, he might unsubscribe you.

• Why do I keep receiving mail after unsubscribing? Many times mail might trickle in to your email account for up to 4 days after unsubscribing from a listserv. This is normal because many times mail is delayed through the various Internet pathways and any messages posted to the list prior to your unsubscribing will still be delivered to your account. 

• Why can’t I unsubscribe? This is usually caused by two reasons. The first is sending it to the listserv posting address, rather than to the listproc address specified for unsubscribing. The other reason is because you have subscribed with a different email alias than you are using when posting your unsubscribe message. You must use the same address to unsubscribe that you subscribed with. Even the list owner has no idea as to what email aliases you might have available for your email inbox.

• Why did the message I tried to post get rejected in spite of the fact that it looks good to me? The problem might be the choice of words in subject and first several lines of a message: Be careful about the words you choose in posting a message to the listserv. Words such as help, subscribe, unsubscribe, subscription, etc in the subject or first couple of lines of the message will cause problems. The majordomo software will interpret the message as a message requiring administrative assistance and the message will not get posted to the list. Rather it will be bounced to the list owner showing admin help being required. Consequently use care in your choice of words if you want to have your message posted to the list, and don’t use words such as help, subscribe, unsubscribe, etc.  

• Can I pick up a virus from a list? Basically, no. Viruses can not exist in an email consisting of ASCII text. However, an email attachment, binary file, or a Word Macro can contain a Virus. As such one should be cautious about opening attachments included in any email.

The lists are provided for you. The better you understand them the more satisfaction you and others will receive from them.

• DG Lloyd Whitfield welcomes you to District 9350 at http://home.intekom.com/rotary/. For the latest information on the District’s Literacy/Numeracy Project including the Lighthouse Literacy Strategy visit http://home.intekom.com/rotary/literacy.htm.
• The Greenway Project is the largest Save the Planet Earth environment project ever undertaken by RI. This will be taking place during the 1998 RI Convention in Indianapolis. Find out more at http://www.racetoindy.org.
• To see an interesting District Bulletin Board visit the home page of District 6560 at http://www.rotary6560.org.
• Find out more about Rotary Youth Exchange - An Experience of a Lifetime visit the RI site at http://www.rotary.org/programs/international/youthex/index.htm.
• An information filled site is the International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians (ICUFR) at http://www.icufr.org.
• Calling all golfing enthusiasts, visit the International Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians home page at http://www.ribi.org/fellowships/golf.htm.
• http://www.empnet.com/Rotary/guide.htm is the place to go if you want to build a Rotary Club Page.
• The International Fellowship on Population and Development can be found at http://www.sd83.bc.ca/comm/rotary/ifpd/ifpd.htm

Rotary Africa June 1998

A time to Ponder

Doug Vincent, a Rotary International Resource Assistant from Canada, recently quoted Mother Teresa who once said, "I alone cannot change the world but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples". That quotation aptly explains our purpose as Rotarians and the experience of Rotary and its programmes.

We have arrived at the point in the year when all 8 000 Rotarians in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands join all Rotarians and friends of Rotary within our global village to reflect. It is the time to contemplate and ponder on what has occurred during the past 12 months as we all strived to Show Rotary Cares and to reflect on the many ripple effects that we have created.

We have a wealth of knowledge and experience in our clubs and in our Districts. There is an enormous amount of published material available, at a price. However, the Internet offers an abundance of information to all at a relatively low cost.

"The information superhighway, as the Internet is commonly called, is rapidly becoming another Avenue of Service for Rotarians" - Rotary World November/December 1996. That statement sums up the significant role that the Internet and electronic communication is going to have on all of us.

To this end, through the Internet Column, we have strived to make Rotarians aware of this medium of communication and information gathering and sharing. We have covered a number of topics, which will enable you to communicate and to access Rotary information. These have included:

• The development of computer technology.
• How you can get connected.
• What is the Internet?
• Electronic Mail.
• The World Wide Web.
• Rotary Mailing Lists.

The Internet offers you the opportunity to learn and share, act and react with Rotarians, Inner Wheelers, Youth Exchange Students, District Governors (past, present and future) Past RI Directors, Former Trustees of The Rotary Foundation and Past Presidents of RI. Being able to communicate electronically with a Rotarian in Japan or downloading data from Evanston, or listening to the plenary sessions at the RI Annual Convention all in the comfort of your home, is a reality.

• Read, on line, the latest issues of The Rotarian, Rotary World and The Rotary News Basket.
• Find out how donors are using a variety of creative ways to support the Permanent Fund of The Rotary Foundation; these include donating works of art, five casks of whiskey, five tractor trailers and 364 hectares of wetlands in Florida.
• Learn all about World Community Service and search the updated Projects Exchange list.
• Download the Rotary emblem for DT Publishing.
• Find out more about Youth Exchange – An Experience of a Lifetime.
• Read all about the Rotary Volunteers programme.
• Establish the eligibility criteria and guidelines for Matching Grants and being able to download the latest application form.
• Download fact sheets and application forms for Ambassadorial Scholarships, Carl P. Miller Discovery Grants, Peace Programmes, New Opportunities Grants and the latest GSE Brochure.
• Finding out about the 1998 RI Convention in Indianapolis.

How have Rotarians made use of and benefited from electronic communication?

• There is the ability to disseminate Rotary information to one's own club and to all Rotarians at a rapid rate.
• District officials have been able to send messages to clubs, quickly, effectively and at a low cost.
• Clubs have been able to communicate with their Youth Exchange Students.
• Students have been able to keep in touch with their parents.
• GSEs have been arranged via this medium.
• Reports from the International Institute and Assembly in Anaheim and President-Elect James Lacy’s theme and logo were transmitted around the globe within minutes of being announced.
• On a club and district level minutes of committee meetings are circulated by e-mail.
• Club and district newsletters are sent by e-mail or posted on a club or district’s site on the World Wide Web.
• Rotarians have been able to share information and ask for assistance. Recently a request was sent out for a photograph and picture of PE Lacy. Within a short space of time responses had been received from Brazil, South Africa, Canada, the Philippines and the USA.
• Rotarians have communicated real-time (by voice and keyboard) with their Exchange Students no matter where in the world they are being hosted.
• Club Bulletin Editors have been able to include latest international Rotary news in their publications.
• Districts and clubs are able to promote their projects by having a presence on the Internet.
• Within minutes you can reach out to Rotarians throughout the world for fellowship, camaraderie and assistance. The Rotary world on the Internet is your oyster.

PDG Pryse Duerfeldt from District 6220 sums it up as follows: "I for one am in strong favour of using this wonderful Internet communication resource to assist us all in our work with The Rotary Foundation programmes. Matching grants – so long made difficult by the many delays and failures with airmail and faxes – could be readily handled with the posting of full information of desired projects and costs and being able to connect with clubs and districts to determine interest, available funds and partners and to actually work out the details of grants. The same thing could and should be done with the task of finding GSE partners in a reasonable time frame as many districts are planning GSEs 2 to 3 years in advance. We can certainly serve as a resource for Ambassadorial Scholars, Teachers and Volunteers with the knowledge we have of our particular areas and the experiences we have with candidates and the placement of those selected. Go for it!"

• The home of RI at http://www.rotary.org
• The Rotary Policy for Electronic Communication can be found at http://www.rotary.org/links/
• http://www.worldaccess.nl/~rotary/ is the site for District 1550, South-East Netherlands.
• The home of the 1998 RI Convention in Indianapolis. Find out more at http://www.racetoindy.org.
• The Rotary Club of Apple Valley, California is "the greatest Rotary Club on the planet". To see why visit their home page at http://www.applevalleyrotary.org/.
• http://www.ribi.org/fellowships/ifrm.htm is the home of the Fellowship of Rotarian Musicians.
• Youth Exchange on the Internet: http://www.es.co.nz/~rotary/student.htm

SHOW ROTARY CARES the electronic way.

Compiled by District 9270's Chairman of Electronic Communications, PP Denis Browne of the Rotary Club of Durban Thekwini, South Africa.