Keep Your Online Members Engaged

Toastmasters clubs have the opportunity to meet in person, online, or a mix of the two—hybrid. It can be challenging to ensure your hybrid club keeps the online members just as engaged and involved as the in-person attendees, but technology is the key to this.

First, ensure you have a strong internet connection. Then check out your camera options. Can the online attendees see both the audience and the speaker? Give them a feel for what it looks like being in the room. Next, focus on sound. The speaker needs to be audible and crowd noise can be a bonus for an online speaker.

Everyone (both online and in person) should be able to see and hear one another. This way both sides can interact. Make sure online participants can still be called on or volunteer for Table Topics or hold a meeting role without disrupting the flow of the meeting. Throughout the meeting, check if they’re raising their hands or laughing along to a humorous speech. Online participants should feel just as much members of the club as those attending in person.