Toastmasters International -

In December 2020, Toastmasters in Division N, District 98, hosted a meeting onboard the Mazi Metro in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. After nine months of online meetings, the unique venue was a welcome change and attracted many members. The metro was recently introduced to the city and not many people have used it, so Division Director Mayuri Assudani, DTM, knew it would be a space members would feel physically comfortable in, while adhering to mask-wearing and social distancing guidelines. “An aerial view of the city was an added bonus,” she says.

Members volunteered to take on roles and carry the club gavel, banner, timer cards, and certificates for the hour-long trip around the city. Everyone wore Toastmasters T-shirts, badges, or name tags, and some members posted photos of the meeting on social media and recorded Instagram Live videos. Assudani says, “We learned to work together in a team. There was excellent coordination and cooperation from each member, and of course, we made memories.”

She recommends that clubs across the world find ways to enhance their members’ experiences while also respecting COVID-19 guidelines. “It is important to remember to not be in a crowd, wear masks, and maintain social distance, but the joy of meeting in person is unparalleled.”