Posted by Sean Paddy on Nov 14, 2017
 
The Practice Lab: Hands-on training for Rotary's online tools
The Practice Lab trains your clubs and districts in Rotary’s online tools, topics, and resources. It’s a replica of My Rotary, so you see actual screens and use actual functions in a practice environment. The Practice Lab is a dynamic resource that allows learners to gain experience with Rotary's online tools in a risk-free setting. Learn more about the Practice Lab...
 
When Keith Best, Rotary coordinator for Zone 17, was developing a membership plan, he wanted to highlight the measurable impact Rotary has made in its communities to support its Rotary stories.
 
His plan included using data collected through Rotary’s online tools. However, he discovered that many clubs and districts in Zone 17 didn’t know how to use these tools.
 
Previous training attempts that used screenshots had failed — so Best turned to Rotary’s Practice Lab for a hands-on training approach. The Practice Lab is a dynamic resource that allows learners to gain experience with our online tools in a risk-free setting.
 
Best and his Rotary coordinator team knew that most users learn better through active participation rather than merely reading instructions. Best and his team used Rotary’s Practice Lab to have participants to practice with online tools using fictitious data before using their own accounts. Their Practice Lab training sessions familiarized users with My Rotary tasks like creating online profiles, contacting member leads, posting a project on Rotary Showcase, and creating or participating in a discussion group.
 
The success of the Practice Lab training in Zone 17 boosted users’ confidence in Rotary Club Central and My Rotary.

The Practice Lab trains your clubs and districts in Rotary’s online tools, topics, and resources, including:
  • My Rotary and your online profile
  • Club and district administration
  • Rotary Club Central (new version coming soon)
  • Member leads
  • Delegation
  • Rotary Showcase
  • Discussion groups
  • Viewing a club invoice
It’s a replica of My Rotary, so you see actual screens and use actual functions in a practice environment. Each Practice Lab user needs a My Rotary account, and accounts are refreshed about every three months.
 
To start your Practice Lab training, complete the account request form
 
For information on running a Practice Lab, review the Practice Lab Guide for Trainers and the Practice Lab Tips Appendix.
 
For questions or help on using the Practice Lab for training, contact practicelab@rotary.org.