Club Awesome’s David F. Carr, DTM, explained the advantages and tradeoffs of hybrid meetings — and how to make yours more successful — in this district training on July 29, 2023.
Holding Toastmasters meetings in a hybrid in-person online format has many advantages, but doing it right is not necessarily easy. Remote members may feel left out if they can’t see or hear what is going on in the room. Maintaining in-person attendance can also be a challenge if members think it is easier to hop on Zoom than hop in the car and get to your meeting place.
In addition to technology challenges, there are leadership issues to consider to make sure that both in-person and remote attendees get the full value out of a meeting.
David F. Carr, DTM, is a worldwide authority on the productive uses of technology by Toastmasters clubs and districts. He shares lessons learned the hard way, as well as lessons learned from others, about how to make hybrid meetings an excellent experience for everyone.
Additional Resources
- The Wide World of Hybrid Toastmasters, David F. Carr’s article for Toastmasters Magazine
- The Future of Online Toastmasters (workshop replay) plus related survey
- Markus Presents – video and other resources, including hyrid equipment recommendations, from Markus Seppälä. Featured: Hybrid meeting setup: What equipment do you really need?
- Tech for Toastmasters – a YouTube channel created by Cajetan Barretto. Featured video: ABCD (Any Body Can Do) Hybrid Meeting. Workshop & Demo – Toastmasters Area 30 – District 20.
- Wireless mic recommendations: Rhode Wireless Go II (high end) and the inexpensive alternative Graham mentioned
- Shared by meeting participants: A User’s Guide to Hybrid Meetings (a detailed 20+ page guide by Dana G. Richard) and a shorter guide from Beaconsfield Toastmasters Club