Prior to mid-March of this year, like every other Toastmasters club in the world, Renaissance Speakers was regularly hosting its public meetings. By then, the pandemic had grown to a point where in-person Toastmaster meetings were driven from their normal venues and into the virtual world of Zoom and other online platforms.
Renaissance Speakers has not only survived during the pandemic but has thrived. The club carried on without missing a beat in attracting guests and new members from around the world while its current members continued to earn educational awards.
For their efforts, Toastmasters International rewarded all the members of Renaissance Speakers with the Gold Online Ovation/Education Award.
Clubs qualified for this award by meeting both of the following criteria by June 30, 2020:
1) The club must have allowed online attendance between January 1 and June 30, 2020 and,
2) The club achieved six education goals based on the Distinguished Club Program. (By the way, Renaissance Speakers earned the maximum number of educational goals during this period with 10!)
Renaissance Speakers continues to be a powerhouse in the Toastmasters world. Club members are eagerly anticipating the day when the meetings will take place both virtually AND in-person.
Guests are always welcome to visit the club any Sunday morning at 9:00 AM PST. Link to https://zoom.us/j/8139652106. Audio Only: 1+ (669) 900-9128 (Meeting ID: 8139652106)
Jeff is a two-time Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) and the current VP Public Relations of Renaissance Speakers.