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District 7 Conference - The Online Experience

By Jennifer Schmidt

Because of the pandemic, for several years, District 7 was unable to hold their annual conference
in person. This meant the only option available was online. However, this became an advantage
for new members who joined from around the world to meet each other. It also gave the District a
chance to hold online contests. This year, the District decided to hold a hybrid conference, with the
theme: Heroic Journey in Leadership which gave members the choice to either attend in person
or online.

I was one of the people who chose the online option. I loved the experience because I could still
watch Dr. Randy Harvey present a memorable keynote and Q & A session to get a champion’s per-
spective. Topped off with Jeff Spitzer and Donna Stark, DTM who both gave practical advice for
knowing your audience and the effective use of humor.

Hopefully the District will consider this option next year because it does give people a chance to
attend even if they can’t physically be there. I loved the convenience of being able to take lots of
notes, screenshots, and cheer as loud as I wanted without disturbing anyone else. The preparation
and schedule were both superb as well.

A couple of enhancements I would suggest for the online participants in the future would be to
add breakout rooms for the online community to chat. You could even divide the rooms into differ-
ent discussions like speech writing, delivery, and networking. A quick tour of the room would also
make it easier to understand the logistics of the room.

I really felt like I was there. I commend the District for running a hybrid event to give more people
the access to attend. Even at a distance I could tell a lot of time, energy, and coordination went into
the details and those efforts paid off.

(continued from page 25) tive mentor without all that support.

Accept compliments with grace
What about you?
As the mentor, I gratefully accepted every compli-
ment and kind word I received this contest season. If you are considering becoming a mentor, I highly
But I would be amiss if I didn’t acknowledge my recommend you do it! Not only will you feel good
previous contest mentors, including Leela Seeber, about helping someone else, you’ll learn more
Matthew Douglass, my home club New Horizons, about yourself in the process. This is especially
and every club that gave me feedback over the true for new members, and beyond Toastmasters
years. I wouldn’t have known how to be an effec- to serve your community.

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