Out of the Comfort Zoom

Like many organizations, when the COVID pandemic and resulting lockdown occurred in the spring of 2019, Central Club began using Zoom as a way to continue meeting and do so safely.

Zoom has become our comfort zone, though.

Now, however …. we need to venture back out.  After all, Public Speaking is the goal here.

But….

• We have become so comfy just meeting on Zoom
• Restaurant spaces in the area are more limited now.
• Hybrid meetings are complicated
• We do not want to alienate our remote members
• Some of our members have never even been to a “live” Toastmasters meeting.

 

Here is the “Out of the Comfort Zoom” Plan 

As part of our Toastmasters education, we need to know how to use different types of venues.

No place is perfect – they all have challenges.

• If we are in a restaurant, there is background noise, yet it prepares us to speak at a banquet.
• If we are in a high-tech conference room, there may be flat-screen displays or whiteboards. We need to be able to present, either way.
• If we are in a large auditorium, it may seem odd at first to be on a stage, and we would need to know how to maintain eye contact.
• If we are in a classroom, and find ourselves in front of a blackboard, we need to know how to present without leaving our back to the audience.
• If we are in a setting where a microphone is needed, it would be good to know how to use one.

 

So let’s learn how to use all of these types of venues!

 

For one meeting each month we will try a different venue.  For the other three weeks, we will continue to meet on Zoom. 

 

Imagine yourself in each of these venues…

One month – a restaurant.

Another time – a classroom.

Another time – a large hall.

Another time – a high-tech meeting room

Another venue – outdoors on a stage or at a gazebo.

Another venue  – in a podcast, radio, or TV studio.

 

Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?

Let’s get Out of the Comfort Zoom together!

 

• Anita Wos, Seargent at Arms 2022-2023, Central Toastmasters Club