We just held our first Zoom committee meeting for Braddell Heights Advanced club, a branch of Toastmasters International in Singapore. Two people living nearby came to my house. A fourth member was on zoom. (We phoned another member who had intended to join but he was busy with family visitors. He will join next time.)
Experimental
Our remote committee member was online on Zoom on the screen. We could have all logged in separately but that meant all of us had to download the zoom app. One person had a phone which had run out of memory. So we all used my screen That meant three of us had to sit close together so our remote member could see us.
Success and Novelty
Online meeting makes all the difference. A sense of camaraderie.
Convenience
We don't have to hire a room or stay behind after a meeting. We can arrange it any time.
One member was tech savvy with zoom. We already had both been in touch with each other through zoom in another club in the online Singapore Online toastmasters club which meets on Friday.
You go into the app stoe or playstore and download the zoom ap.
No Picture
At first we could not see our photo. Then I realised the sticker was still over the camera in my laptop. I leave the sticker there when I am not using the camera, for security.
Travel
I intend to use this system when I am in London to keep in touch with Singapore for committee meetings and regular meetings because I am president of a club in Singapore. I am also member of a club in London. I can still be a member present at meetings in London and observe or participate in London committee meetings when I am in Singapore.
Family
People have been using video calls for years to contact families.
Business
Businesses have been using conference calls for connecting branches of the business in different countries.
Social/Training
What is new for me is having a social club committee meeting and calling up people who are too busy to attend or live too far away.
Recording
The second advantage is that the meeting can be recorded for the benefit of absent members to watch later the same day or another day if they have a clash of events. You can also check up what was agreed, check the spelling of names of people to contact, and write up minutes by watching the recording.
Useful Websites
Zoom - their USA website
Zoom on Wikipedia
Toastmasters find a club
Singapore English Online Club on Facebook
Braddell Heights Advanced Speakers Club on Facebook
About The Author
Angela Lansbury is a travel writer and photographer, author of more than 20 books listed on Amazon and Lulu.com Speaker and trainer. Please share links to your favourite posts and useful posts.
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