Page 37 - October 2020 Voices
P. 37
. . .in the best case we win, in the worst
case we learn.
was more important than the atmosphere My greatest joy was to see the community
and identity that we built that as some of our we built and to see that more guests are coming
members or guests described it: “This is a club, because of the atmosphere we built and the power
where you can see the experienced Toastmasters of our social media activities. I could add that we
working together with new members as if they became President’s Distinguished this past year,
were alike, where the most important is the high but my greatest success is that we were reborn like
collaboration and having fun.” a phoenix bird, and we keep building our Club.
What has been your greatest challenge What qualities help you to be a great
as a club coach? coach?
When I started being a coach in January/ Active listening. I’m not an experienced
February 2020, there were only three real coach outside of Toastmasers. I even work in
members. This created a massive challenge IT. But I learned I needed to understand the
because we were at the beginning of Covid-19 and current scenario and take decisions based on
the club was located in a remote area. We needed them.
to think innovatively about how to rebuild the Think innovatively. More than thinking
club from its ashes. Starting with a new name, a outside the box, we needed to adapt to the new
new location, and other minor changes. normal and be open to the changes like the
When we had planned the first meeting, implementation of Zoom without a second
Covid-19 hit us badly and we needed to replan thought.
everything. We needed to start doing what we Collaboration. Many people would highlight
were already great at—using technology—since my work on social media platforms, but this
at least three of us had previous experience in hasn’t been only my work, Sara has been there
online meetings in different clubs. Plus, since working with me very closely almost since she
we were going to focus on online meetings joined us.
for a while, we needed to think about how to Take risks. I have a saying in Spanish that in
promote effectively our presence on social media English would be: “Kill it.” I try preventing any
platforms. analysis paralysis and take actions, in the best
case we win, in the worst case we learn. And
What has been your greatest joy as a that happens when you’re a coach. You cannot
club coach? do the same things. If we would have tried to
VOICES! | OCTOBER 2020 37
