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FROM THE DESK ONLINE CONNECTIONS
What Is the Ideal Number of The Magic of Online Connections
Club Members? Michelle Alba-Lim, DTM
Cate Arnold, DTM Last month, I shared three success stories that connections!
Club Growth Director might encourage your club to explore online If you have not yet discussed online
attendance. Here are two more. attendance with your executive team, a recent
Have you heard about Transtoasters example might be the tipping point. . .
Toastmasters International recommends Toastmasters (a club that meets Tuesdays, from The other day, a new member posted in the
20 to 30 members. The standard Toastmasters 12:05-1:00 p.m., at Oregon Department of Pathways Discussion Forum. In addition to my
meeting has 11 to 15 speaking roles. We know Transportation in Salem)? Transtoasters is one response on the forum, I privately messaged
everyone can’t attend every meeting. With a of D7’s early adopters, having allowed online Karen and invited her to attend my blended
larger number there is a greater chance that attendance since mid-2017. One of our club club meetings through online attendance. She
members fill all the roles. More people make members, Cate Arnold, illustrates the benefits attended her first blended meeting today (Feather
for better meetings. of online attendance. Juggling her role as Club Communicators) and was so enamored by the
If we do the math, it takes at least 12 Growth Director with several other important ease of using Zoom that she immediately filled
members to fill roles at each meeting and keep roles, Cate would have found it extremely out a membership application. She’s planning to
people from doing double duty. Often times difficult to attend club meetings had it not been attend other blended club meetings this week.
when there are less than 12 attendees there will for online attendance. When in Salem, she She’s excited about joining clubs where she can
be only one prepared speech. Sometimes clubs attends in person. At other times, she attends have more speaking opportunities, and we’re
resort to hot seat speeches. People must fill more online. delighted to have an eager and enthusiastic new
than one role. This lowers the quality of the On April 30, Transtoasters will hold the last of member.
meetings. People burn out and don’t show up our Culturally-Speaking Panel Discussion Series, What’s special about Karen? She lives in
as often. Meetings like this don’t make a good featuring England. Transtoasters featured Italy British Columbia and would never have managed
impression on visitors. September last September and Spain this past to attend or join a D7 club if not for online
There is nothing more valuable in our January this year. Participants have attended attendance!
interdependent and everchanging world than the panel discussion onsite or online. This finale Truly the magic of online connections!
effective communication and team skills. This event will be special in that the entire panel Does your club allow online attendance? Write me
is what we have to offer through Toastmasters. (moderator and panelists) will be online! The about the connections you’ve made. Is your club
Please take advantage of the opportunity to panelists will zoom in from England so expect ready to explore online attendance? Let me know
provide these skills in fun and well-attended to hear the Queen’s English on the 30th. Don’t and I’ll help you get started. Will your club benefit
meetings. Take a look at strengthening your clubs miss this opportunity to experience an online from online attendance? You’ll never know until you
by adding new members through open houses! panel discussion at an onsite club! You can attend try. toastmaster.michelle@gmail.com, text 714-273-
onsite (ODOT Conference Rm) or online at 0743, or message https://www.facebook.com/Celeste.
https://zoom.us/j/114469404The magic of online Michelle.Alba.Lim.
18 ONE COMMUNITY VOICES! | APRIL 2019 19
