Toastmasters has always been a learning laboratory for all those who labor to learn and grow. In
our journey of learning and growth what looms ahead as obstacles at present are merely
steppingstones for hitherto unseen successes in the future. The brand-new Toastmasters
learning experience ‘Pathways’ was a gradual transition meticulously planned and gradually
executed. 2019-20 was the year of transition for District 82. However, the going was slow
especially considering the level of comfort with the online experience. Meeting online was still
unthinkable.
Then came the twist that none had seen coming. An unseen, unheard-of virus was slowly making
its way across the globe, causing panic and pain. By mid-March the island was put under lock
down and life as we knew it came to a standstill.
Toastmasters are a resourceful group of people and two weeks into the lockdown our club along
with a few others were slowly dipping our feet into the ocean of online meetings and learnings.
Initially it was tough with a range of technical issues that we had not come across. In addition,
there was the getting used to part of the general feel and etiquette of being in an online meeting.
Issues ranged from some having their mic turned o at the right moment and camera turned on
at the wrong moment! But live, learn and grow we did. With the lockdown extending from days
to weeks, the meetings started to grow in stature, exploring the limitless possibilities of the
online environment. With sessions bringing members together from across the world, we had
moved to a truly global meeting atmosphere. The Club, Area, Division and District contests
moved online, and the champs were up to the novel challenge.
To share a few of the learnings to be adopted;
- Preparation is key: Know the platform and its intricacies. The options that may be available on
one platform may not be available in another. It is best to fumble and fall before the meeting
rather than when you’re at the meeting. - Time matters: Setting an agenda and sticking to time is as important as during an online
meeting as it was during the face-to-face meetings. No matter where the meeting takes place,
the hours in a day is still 24! - Know when to speak: The clarity of the speaker as well as the session depends on the
participants. Leaving the mic on can cause cross talk to be heard and the speaker to be both
disturbed as well as unheard. - Look your best: If you want to feel your best and do your best it is always recommended to
look your best. Hence, though the setting is within the room, remember that you’ve opened a
window to the world through which you are viewed. - Stay focused: The biggest issue for some of us in an online meeting is to keep our focus since,
apart from the window in front of us through which we are connected, there isn’t anything to
connect us. Any other thing in front of us can be our enemy to properly engage. So, take that
extra e ort to be focused and have a fruitful meeting.
The world we are in is going through unpreceded upheavals and the trend is set to continue.
However, the world belongs to the brave. The brave who rise every day to do their bit. The brave
who adjust to their environment to do their best.
We are in such an era that we will be having a World Champion of Public Speaking who wouldn’t
have to climb a stage to win the title. For that matter, the Champ will not even need to move out
of the bedroom to be crowned the best.
What matters is that he or she does the Best in this new reality of contesting across the screen.
The same rings true for all of us in our journeys. Ultimately it is up to You the individual to Surf,
Study and Succeed in Cyberspace.
DTM Ishfaaq Uvaim
Awakening Toastmasters
