ONE TEAM
Who we are and what we do …
Our responsibilities
The Polaris team is responsible for the development of the software products Polaris and SEMDA and for the support to the districts or national organizations. The software engineering of both products is carried out by Cloudtec AG.
The operation of the Polaris systems is managed by Cloudtec AG, while the IT infrastructure is provided by Metanet AG. Both entities operate under a contractual agreement with the RCS.
Our tasks
Sustainable product development of the Polaris and SEMDA solution
Management of the product development cycle (new releases)
Coordination of third parties involved in the development and in the operations
Supporting the DICOs in the districts that are using Polaris
Supporting the vendors of other club management systems (CMS) which are using SEMDA
Organization of the Assembly of the Polaris district representatives before each new release development phase
Organization of annual meetings with the DICOs, DICO deputies and district representatives in the particular countries
Promotion of Polaris and SEMDA in other countries
Periodic reporting to the RCS and to the Assembly of district delegates Switzerland & Liechtenstein about the products status
Team
Jan Trnka, Product Manager & IT – responsible RCS
My professional background leads me to the firm belief that Rotary needs a modern full-featured collaborative IT system available on any user device and in any language. My engagement rose over years from a CICO to DICO role, ending in the years 2019-2020 as a member of the Polaris team, in the role of the technical leader of that project. During this time, naturally Polaris became my passion. Since 2022 I took over the role of a Product Manager. In that position I am planing and organizing the development of this unique software. Together with keeping in touch with the districts and with all involved parties it is a challenge that fills my life as a Rotarian.
I know I cannot do it right for all, but it makes me happy to do it right for many.
Marion de Lattre-Wiesel, Team Member
The relationship manager, spokesperson, communicator and moderator, editor, proofreader (and many more) ... and female component in the team. I am a self-taught computer nerd since childhood ... and have been involved in IT management and support since I joined Rotary.
My main asset is that I am not a computer professional (first an architect, then a mediator) and therefore I can explain computer processes in normal language, not geek!
I am very happy to have the opportunity to provide my skills and enthusiasm to the diffusion and use of the wonderful tool which is Polaris!
Philippe Schnyder, Team Member
As IT security engineer and consultant, Rotarian and former Rotaractor who has been using computers for almost all his life, I have a strong technical background. In 2014 I joined the national group of IT responsible for Rotary and Rotaract in Switzerland. Over the years I had the pleasure to accompany the evolution of the former system in what is Polaris today.
Since 2014 I have been covering many roles in the Rotarian IT team, including technical support and coordinating the development of the predecessor of Polaris.
Christian Mayer, Team Member
DICO in 1920 in Austria, I successfully organized and executed the introduction of Polaris in Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina. I was able to significantly enhance my knowledge of Polaris and Rotary. Therefore, I am very excited to have the chance to be a member of the Polaris team.
With a wealth of experience in the IT industry and a solid grasp of various technologies, I’m excited to help us achieve great things together!
During my career, I have acquired significant expertise in managing processes and projects. I have experience in effectively coordinating teams and successfully executing projects, whether in software development, system deployment, or communication and user training.
I truly believe that our partnership will lead to some wonderful and creative solutions that will really enhance the experience for our Rotarian colleagues.
Michael Willi, Team Member
Through my work as a dentist, I have experienced the digitalization of our profession first-hand and also implemented it in the practice. The outstanding importance of user-friendly, stable and up-to-date software was and is a basic requirement. What is true for my small business is even more important for a global organization like Rotary. Polaris is exactly this tool, which should not only simplify the daily administration in the clubs, but also help to increase the attractiveness of Rotary as a whole for club members and candidates.
It is a great pleasure to work in the Polaris team, where motivated Rotarians constantly improve the program through their own experiences in their club and now also train DICOs from different countries. This non-profit activity with a common multilingual program will definitely lead to the growing together of the European Rotary community, and I am especially looking forward to that.
Kent Vesterberg, Team Member
I am basically electronics engineer but came into contact with computers as early as 1974, which means that I must be considered a veteran in this context.
I received my education in Malmö and at the Lund University of Technology. I have worked with hardware but since 1980 it has mostly been about software and IT systems.
I was invited to Rotary in 1994 in Svedala, a small village in southern Sweden. IT knowledge within Rotary was low, to say the least, so it became close at hand to train within the club and district.
I was DICO in District 2390 for many years. But from 2005 I was chairman of the IT committee in Rotary Sweden. I was involved in introducing the first computer system in Sweden in 1997 and was project manager for a new system 2013 and have now been active with Polaris for two years.
Serge Dupont, Past Polaris Ambassador
In 2019-2020, as Governor of the D1690, I was convinced - I still am - that our movement had to adapt to the economic, technical, societal, etc. evolutions of the world around us, otherwise it would wither and disappear. The choice of an efficient computer tool was part of this concern. We chose Polaris.
It is a proven software package - twenty years of existence -, evolving (at least two new releases per year) to meet the needs and expectations of the user Districts. It is supported by a solid and perennial structure: four Rotarian designers, a service company which writes the code and a team of trainers/maintainers. It fulfills the requirements of the European RGPD legislation and benefits from the experience of nineteen user Districts. It is designed by Rotarians for Rotarians, within the framework of a non-profit association, and is approved by Rotary International.
Today we are so enthusiastic about the results we have achieved regarding our image and the rigor of the management of our Clubs and Districts, that the Polaris IT team and me have decided to "spread the word" to European Districts which are not yet using Polaris!
Brigitte Burtinovic, Polaris Ambassador
As part of the DICOs team of D1690 since the beginning of the adventure, I am convinced of the interest that such a tool represents for a district.
It makes it possible to convey the Rotary brand. It contributes to the improvement of our image. It is dynamic and a tool for both internal and external communication. It is accessible to all, no computer skills are required.
My greatest satisfaction is to see how, over the months, the clubs have taken ownership of the tool and developed its use both on their own site and on that of the district.
Today we couldn't do without it!
Caroline de Quelen, Polaris Ambassador
Convinced by Polaris, I am part of the D1690 DICOs team since its deployment in our 80 clubs in 2019.
Endowed with a real interest for computers but not a computer scientist by training, I appreciate the ease of use of Polaris, which is dedicated to all Rotarians.
This is the tool that our clubs lacked for better consistency and even more impact!
Organized and methodical, I enjoy highlighting all the features of this beautiful communication, organization and management tool with clubs, and answering the various practical questions. It's easy to be convincing when presenting a tool that meets the needs so well!
Polaris, a tool for Rotarians, created and managed by Rotarians!
Olivier Garosi, Polaris Ambassador
Olivier Gardiol, Past Team Member
The Polaris father and mind behind all that!
In charge, since 2006, of the IT solutions for the clubs in his district then in Switzerland, rot. Olivier Gardiol took over, in 2018, the responsibility to run the Polaris project of a brand new system aiming to run the Rotary clubs and allow a modern communication in the Rotary community.
His function as Product Manager was taken over by Jan Trnka in 2022. Olivier remains available to the Polaris team, supporting his colleagues on a case-by-case basis.