Efforts are being made to try and start up a second Rotary Club in Steinbach.

Mike Lynes explains Rotarians do a lot of good work in a community. Their six areas of focus are peace and conflict resolution, mother/ child, disease, clean water and sanitation, education and literacy and economic and community development. In Steinbach, the Rotary Club of South Eastman is a big promoter of the DARE and Headway programs. He says the intent of Rotary is to be a business-minded club, founded on the grounds of networking.

Lynes says he has been part of the Rotary Club of South Eastman for the last few years. He is now attempting to start a second club, called the Rotary E-Club of Steinbach, of which he is currently President.

"This one will be different because it's flexible," explains Lynes. "The meetings take place online."

That means Rotarians will be able to attend meetings from the comfort of their home. There will be two E-meetings per month, plus one face to face meeting.

Lynes says another difference is that the new club will have a much broader impact throughout Canada and the world. Having said that, he says members of this club could be from anywhere across the globe. Lynes says he already has one member signed up from Brandon and another two from Winkler that are interested. However, the focus will be on initiatives within Steinbach.

"Often people are just too busy to get involved, they want to be involved in doing some good," he says. "This is a great way for them to get involved and not commit to a lunchtime meeting."

In order to start this new club, Lynes needs a total of 20 members. He currently has 15.

According to Lynes, the new club will work with other clubs, not against. In fact, he says they will be trying to get charitable status right away in order to help the Rotary Club of South Eastman with fundraisers.

For more information contact Mike Lynes at 204-371-1490.