From the Editor

In many ways, technology is changing the way in which we live our lives. Whether it is a parent snapping a digital photo or a grandparent receiving that photo or it is using cellular phones to track an order your company has shipped, we all use technology in different ways.
Service organizations are not immune to technology and we should embrace the power that it provides. The Rotopeka is striving to use technology to help spread the message of Rotary and the service our club provides to our community.

In this issue, the Rotopeka is taking a new step into technology and I would encourage you to join this exciting new world. The Rotopeka is available on the club’s website as well as http://rotopeka.blogspot.com. This new site will include all the stories in the issue along with informative links which you can follow to learn more about Rotary around the world.

One of the more interesting ideas is from a Rotary program called Shelterbox (Story on page 6). This project , based on England, provides relief boxes to needy families around the world. Using Google Earth, this program will take you on a virtual tour around the world, not only demonstrating what it does to help, but where it helps in a way that is innovative and powerful. Not-for-profits are using the technologies in Google Earth in ways that are creating amazing awareness. If you have not used this program, I would highly encourage you to take a look at it.
Rotopeka has served as a monthly publication that is mailed to its members. Through this new technology, Rotopeka is branching out and incorporating the technologies that are just beginning to emerge. Besides the new “blog”, the Rotopeka is available in an exciting new format this month. But you have to visit the website to check it out.

Digital photography also was a focus of one of our club’s presenters this week. My wife and daughter just returned from Disney World and they took 345 photos. I took the advise of our presenter, Mike Worswick of Wolf’s Camera and immediately burned the photos onto a CD and put them in safe keeping. In the next few days, we will send our photos off to be printed and then pick them up an hour later.

There are many ways in which organizations such as Rotary are using the internet to advance their message, not only through traditional means like websites, but through blogs, video podcasts and Google Earth. The world is opening itself up and we are gaining more information all the time that can help us create a better world.
Hop aboard the and see what you can learn.