What is "circuit rider"

n. 1 An itinerant preacher, especially a Methodist. 2 (context US English) A judge who holds court in a series of towns. 3 (context computing English) A computer consultant who advises non-profit organizations.

Circuit rider may refer to:

• A professional who travels a regular circuit of locations to provide services:
  • Circuit rider (water/wastewater), a position in the rural water industry
  • Circuit rider (religious), a position within the Methodist Church
    • The Circuit Rider, a sculpture of a religious circuit rider in Oregon, USA
  • Circuit rider (U.S. Court system), a traveling jurist
  • Circuit rider (technology), a traveling technology consultants (sometimes referred to as a eRider)

Circuit rider is a popular term referring to clergy in the earliest years of the United States who were assigned to travel around specific geographic territories to minister to settlers and organize congregations. Circuit riders were clergy in the Methodist Episcopal Church and related denominations.

The term circuit rider, which has its roots in Methodist preaching, has more recently been applied to technology assistance providers who travel to small non-profit organizations in a particular sector to troubleshoot or support particular technology needs in those organizations. Another term for these people is eRider.

In this context, a circuit rider is part trainer, part management consultant, part computer expert. They provide consulting and assistance with technology strategy development, make multiple visits to the organizations they serve, and provide advice and information by phone and e-mail. They can serve regional constituencies by travel from a central location. Additionally, circuit riders can "cross-pollinate" the groups they service, transmitting insights, tools, and tips as they travel throughout the sector. In addition, training materials and resources can be used at multiple sites thereby spreading the development cost out across a number of organizations.

The umbrella term for this field is nonprofit technology, and Circuit Riders are a form of Nonprofit Technology Assistance Provider (NTAP)

Rural water circuit riders are roving technical experts employed by State Rural Water Associations to provide training and assistance to rural and small water utilities within their state.