Page 52 - November 2020 Voices

ONLINE CONNECTIONS

Online Connections on the Go!

Michelle Alba-Lim, DTM

When I got involved with online clubs back contest, and I was in the car with DD PJ Kleffner
in 2016, not even in my wildest dreams did I (then PQD), PQD Eldred Brown (then CGD),
imagine that a time would come when I’d be and DTM Jim Wolak, heading back north. That

attending multiple online events on the go. Yet afternoon I was speaking at a European district’s
that’s exactly what has happened. panel discussion about online meetings.
Although I’ve been on the road since Veteran’s A light bulb went on!
Day, I have participated in various Toastmasters Confident that my advanced club Global

events. I served as Chief Judge for Roseburg Trainers Online (GTO) would support me (as
Speakers and Storytellers (RSS) Evaluation they did, enthusiastically and energetically), I
Speech Contest (where we had judges from all offered to conduct a mock online Evaluation
over the world, including past district directors). Contest for the D7 leadership team. Although we

I attended D7’s 80th anniversary celebration, had a few minor glitches during the mock contest
where I had the pleasure and privilege of listening (a.g., moving in and out of breakout rooms can
to Past International President Gary Schmidt’s be tricky), the demonstration was successful
inspiring message and the heartwarming enough to garner overwhelming support to move

reminiscences of fellow district leaders. I hosted forward with contests.
Global Trainers Online (GTO) meeting, with The next seven months was a blur of online
members and guests from various parts of the activity.
globe. The district asked me to serve as Chief Judge,

By the time you read this, I’ll have attended a role I was deeply honored to handle. Since
several other online meetings. What a way to contests were online, I managed to invite judges
stay connected while on the go! from all over the world.
As I sit in Lance (our 25-foot truck camper), I was also asked to serve as Zoom Master for

I cannot help but reflect back over the events District TLI (a role that became a walk in the
since March 14, when Toastmasters International park when then-PQD PJ decided to have separate
suspended all in-person meetings and events. Zoom meetings instead of breakout rooms).
Division A had just completed our division During this year’s Celebration of Leadership,

52 ONE COMMUNITY