Page 35 - November 2019

ONLINE CONNECTIONS

How Blended* Clubs Can Add

Value to District 7

Michelle Alba-Lim, DTM

Guess what disturbing discovery I made at our about blended clubs, and what value they bring
November 16 TLI? to the District.
Four years after the Toastmasters Interantional A blended (or hybrid) club is one that meets at
Board approved online attendance for onsite a physical venue yet allows remote attendance members to renew their membership and • Coach - if you’re with a struggling club
clubs, an overwhelming majority remain as well. To date, I know of only seven D7 clubs prospects to consider joining. that needs a coach, you’ll be more likely

unaware of blended clubs and what value they that regularly and consistently allow online • Guest - prospects can observe online, to get one (or two) assigned if your club
can bring to the District. This discovery was attendance. In my opinion, that’s far too low without having to take the intimidating has online attendance. Note that the
based on conversations throughout the day a number. Blended clubs enable the following first step of walking into a club meeting. coach-club pairing is a win-win for all.

(triggered by my “Ask Me About Toastmasters benefits: Once they’ve attended online once or Coaches might have better chances of
ONLINE” button). • Members - if/when unable to attend in twice, showing up at the physical venue being assigned to blended clubs if they
As we approach the middle of the person, participation is possible through will feel far less nerve-wracking. The are familiar with online attendance.
Toastmasters year, I believe it’s worth talking online attendance. This encourages conversion from prospect to guest to • Officer - there’s a myth that you can’t
member might be increased. serve as an officer if you attend remotely.
• Evaluator - blended clubs can Not true! Triple Crown recipient Karen
invite evaluators from outside their Chen serves as VPE of a blended club in

clubs. The fresh perspectives of an southern Oregon. Karen lives in British
“outsider” will help make the speaker and Columbia!
audience more aware of what was done Considering the value that blended clubs
well and what could be done better. bring to individual members as well as their

• Speaker - some clubs are often short of area, division or District, I’m keeping my
speakers, with the same people delivering fingers crossed that more clubs will consider
speeches week after week. With blended adding online attendance. Meantime, if you
clubs, you can invite speakers to attend have any questions about online attendance

and speak online about Pathways or other for your club, contact toastmaster.michelle@
topics that would interest and engage the gmail.com
members. *Toastmasters International uses the term
• Mentor - if your blended club is newly- “clubs with online attendance” and does not

chartered, your mentors can attend online encourage the use of either “blended” or “hybrid”
instead of attending in person each week. club.

34 ONE COMMUNITY VOICES! |NOVEMBER 2019 35