Page 3 - May 2020

Sorry . . .I’m in A Meeting

Phyllis Harmon, DTM

It seems to me that I am attending more meetings now that I
have to stay home. There is no excuse, other than “I’m in a meeting,”
to not join all the great events happening online. I never thought
I would spend the day jumping from meeting to meeting without
traveling beyond the comfort of my computer chair.
Sequestering has been the proverbial silver lining to the craziness of wearing a
facemask while shopping (have you tried to breath in those things?) or having my food
tossed my direction at the drive thru. There are people out there (perhaps even some
of you) who are making it a game to see how many clubs—in every District—across
the world—they can join for a meeting. Recently, I met Clinton from Trinidad who
was a speaker at a club with 500 attendees. Apparently he speaks regularly beyond
his District by Googling the clubs and asking for a speaking slot.
I was thrilled when we had over 50 visitors at the Feedbackers open house last week.
The club is a great place to learn the art of evaluations but who would have thought
people from around the world would want to hear our message and experience our
evaluation methods.
I’ve heard that Districts are holding online conferences with a plethora of speakers.
I would love to be involved in the logistics for such an event. Two days, great speakers, EDITORIAL
and lessons to learn. Just picture it—speakers from many different disciplines right
there on your computer screen! And no airfare, hotels, or food expenses. I’m loving it!
Of course, with so many choices enticing me to visit, the day is gone before I
have a chance to get out of my pajamas, make the bed, or cook (hence the drive thru
experience). I keep promising to put down my mouse, step away from the keyboard,
and actually talk to my significant other (what’s his name again?).
I am learning some valuable skills though: selective hearing, audio/visual best
practices, and most importantly how to prepare 5-minute meals so I can join the
next scheduled meeting.
When we return to face-to-face encounters, I am going
to miss all of the variety and opportunities this pandemic
has laid at my doorstep. Of course, I could always fake a
dry cough, fever, and . , ,

Volume 6 Issue 11 May 2020 Monthly Columnists 2019-20 Officers Administrative Manager
Publisher B. Lee Coyne, ATMS District Director Paul Fanning, DTM
Phyllis Harmon, DTM Dottie Love, DTM Emilie Taylor, DTM
Eldred Brown, DTM Public Relations Manager
Associate Publisher Emilie Taylor, DTM Program Quality Director Kathleen Tully, DTM
Brenda Parsons, ACS, ALS Harvey Schowe, DTM PJ Kleffner, DTM Voices! is published monthly by District 7
Senior Editor James Dent, DTM Club Growth Director Toastmasters. First issue published August
Phyllis Harmon, DTM James Wantz, DTM Eldred Brown, DTM 2014. Submit articles or contact us at
Leanna Lindquist, DTM voices@d7toastmasters.org
Associate Editor Michelle Alba-Lim, DTM Finance Manager
Leanna Lindquist, DTM Paul Fanning, DTM Karen Semprevivo, DTM
PJ Kleffner, DTM

VOICES! | MAY 2020 3