When you hear the word virtual, what do you think? In this era of virtual reality games and experiences, the word virtual has taken on a slightly different meaning. Instead of almost real, it can mean almost like being there in person.
My real life experience with the Virtual Toastmasters club (virtualtm.toastmastersclubs.org) has opened windows to new experiences. Unlike a virtual reality game though, sometimes members really are in the same room. Others attend through video conferencing.
Why?
Thanks to Past District Governor Dorian Guerard’s invitation, I am a charter member of District 64’s Virtual Toastmasters. Why would an introvert who hates seeing herself in video join such a club? First, it was to take one more step out of my comfort zone.
Did you ever wonder how many video cameras capture your image as you walk through a mall? I have. There is a table topics rationale that goes something like this: if a reporter approaches you with a microphone, your table topics experience will help you sound confident and coherent. It occurred to me that the Virtual Toastmasters experience could help with approaching cameras, too!
The second reason to join? I knew it would be fun. I am a science fiction fan. As one of the first clubs in the world to use video conferencing technology, our Virtual Toastmasters club let me be part of the future I had read about. The “videophone” is now reality!
Third, I could join an advanced club without having to drive a minimum of an hour to participate.
Fourth, I was simply curious.
Who Can Benefit?
Having participated in the online world for several years now, I have opinions on its virtues and its drawbacks. (By the way, some online logophiles get upset by the word “virtual” and prefer the word “online”. In my opinion, if everyone knows what you mean, either works.)
If you have difficulty joining an advanced club because of time, distance, or mobility, join Virtual Toastmasters. If you want to practice on camera, work on your online presentation skills and practice with the technology, join Virtual Toastmasters. If you want to meet members from around the world, join this online world.
Is it Difficult?
There are challenges, of course, but they are worth surmounting. I had several months where my only toastmasters experiences were online. The first time I was invited to a local club to deliver a speech, my evaluator noticed I made more eye contact with the back wall than with people! I had become used to focussing on the camera. The solution is to keep speaking in your “brick and mortar club” too.
Body language is challenging online for enough reasons I could do a 40 minute online workshop. Using it as a tool to enhance your speech is not the problem. The biggest adjustment comes for evaluators who look only for hand gestures from a speaker rather than appreciating head and shoulder movements and facial expressions. Even when evaluating in person, I have become more aware of the subtleties of body language.
Some people believe it’s hard to get know virtual members. Many Toastmasters value the social connections in their club. Like anywhere else, if you want to connect with your fellow members, you can. All relationships take time. You can stay online a while longer and visit, arrange separate chat times, even travel to each other’s homes. I met in person with three members of an online club this summer. I was excited! It was like meeting favourite celebrities! They did not disappoint.
The World Awaits!
I strongly believe the virtues outweigh the challenges. I belong to two other online clubs in addition to District 64’s Virtual Toastmasters. I can now say I feel at home in the Canadian Maritime provinces. I have friends in England, China, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and all over the United States of America.
The most significant reward is leaving each meeting feeling more connected to the rest of the world. We have far more in common than we do differences. Toastmasters everywhere are virtually alike.
Submitted By: Sheryl Poirier, DTM/PDD