NEW ROTARY BENEFIT

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Rotary International and Citrix Online have teamed up to give Rotarians, districts, and clubs a 60-day free trial and a 15 percent discount on two web conferencing tools.
GoToMeeting by Citrix Online allows presenters to share their computer screen with up to 15 meeting attendees. Users can change presenters and exchange keyboard and mouse control during the meeting.
Unlimited meetings with VoIP and phone conferencing are available for one flat rate.
Citrix's GoToWebinar provides an easy way to create, convey, and record online presentations for audiences of up to 1,000 people. It allows users to disseminate information quickly without the hassle and costs of travel.
Sam Hummelstein, executive secretary of District 6150 (Arkansas, USA), and Jerry Smith, district trainer, have used GoToMeeting for training purposes.
"If you are doing district-level training, you are obviously dealing with multiple locations, as clubs may be two or three hours apart," Hummelstein says. "Not traveling is a tremendous advantage."
Smith agrees, adding that "for teaching, it is easy to give control of the online session to the students so they can do hands-on exercises or show me their specific issues."
Both Rotarians also see the tools having advantages at the club level. Smith says club board meetings might be better attended using GoToMeeting than asking people to stay extra time after a regular club meeting. Hummelstein sees possibilities for expanding the reach of club projects, special events, and fundraisers through GoToWebinar.
RI is using the Citrix tools to conduct many committee meetings.
"Even though most RI committees are composed of members from all parts of the world and from different time zones, we've held very successful and productive meetings using GoToMeeting or GoToWebinar in the past year," says Irving J. "Sonny" Brown, RI Communications Committee chair. "The savings in both time for all parties and money for RI, in terms of travel to Evanston, lodging, and meals, are substantial."
Brown said his committee will be recommending RI use the tools for more international committee meetings.

• Sign up for the GoToMeeting and GoToWebinar special offers.
• Read more about the special offer
• Learn about more membership resources