NASHUA – Rotary Club of Nashua leadership on Tuesday took a giant leap into the technological future, and while doing so voted unanimously to help out the cash-strapped Meals on Wheels program with a $5,000 donation.

While the club typically disburses its donations several at a time, the Meals on Wheels pledge couldn’t wait,

“The need is now,” club president-elect Bill Barry said Wednesday. “Rotarians are people of action. We’re making the donation now because they’re about to distribute two weeks worth of frozen meals, which is costing them something like $60,000,” Barry added, referring to Meals on Wheels.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to Meals on Wheels, which is operated by St. Joseph Community Services, can go to www.mealsonwheelsnh.org, and click on the “donate” link.

Also, anyone interested in volunteering over the next several weeks to load and deliver meals can contact the agency at 424-9967 or meals@sjcsinc.org.

Rotary’s vote, meanwhile, is unique in its immediacy, but also because it’s the first vote to be taken at a “virtual meeting,” which Barry said was conducted via Zoom, currently the go-to social media app for virtual meetings, video conferencing sessions and live training exercises.

Now, after a successful first run-through, the club is planning to conduct Monday’s regular weekly meeting via Zoom.

“And that includes the ‘Hello song,'” Barry said, referring to the traditional, two-verse tune members sing to welcome each week’s visitors and guests.

Another meeting tradition – “happy fines” – will also make its virtual debut, Barry said.

Meanwhile, virtual meetings are also in the works over at Nashua Rotary West, where president Karen Lascelle has been experimenting with various scenarios.

Keeping members in touch with each other is a top priority, Lascelle told The Telegraph last week.

“We all thought it would be a good idea if we had some sort of virtual meeting just so that our members can stay engaged,” she said. “Honestly, we’re like a family in Rotary. We get together every single week, so we want to make sure that everyone is still engaged, and if they need assistance, they can reach out for help.”

Keeping everyone engaged is also a top priority at Nashua Rotary, Barry said.

“We want to keep that connectivity … try to bring some normalcy to these uncertain times,” he said.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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