The Covid-19 pandemic brought many challenges to all aspects of our lives. Toastmasters are no exception. Our regular learning and fellowship experiences have been impacted, no question about it. Real handshakes, hugs, many pre- and post-meeting conversations, energy of the audience have been either eliminated or reduced. In addition, some members and clubs still need to embrace the idea of virtual meetings.
Then there are thriving clubs, despite all the setbacks, and members like Alicia Curtis, DTM, who bring a breath of fresh air, new energy, and a new quality to Toastmasters meetings in virtual settings.
Alicia, our member of the Month for October 2020, is from Sydney Australia, District 70, where she currently serves as the District Administration Manager. In March, Alicia started visiting virtual meetings of Toastmasters clubs all over the World. She has already been in almost 30 countries. Alicia doesn’t keep track of the number of visited clubs. Despite her career being severely affected by the pandemic, on a good day, Alicia visits up to five different clubs. At the 2020 (virtual) International Convention, Toastmasters International officially crowned her the “Zoom Queen”.
Hawaii clubs have become her focus and she decided to be a paid member of Catalyst Club and Phoenix Raising Kapolei, though she keeps visiting many other clubs – Paradise Hawaii, Waikiki Club, Prince Kuhio, or Pineapple Country.
Alicia always brings an amazingly positive spirit and top notch, pro-active participation, whether she serves as a speaker, ah-counter, table topics responder, or performs one of her signature World-class general evaluations.
Mahalo, Alicia, for your contribution to Hawaii clubs and being an exceptional inspiration.
Slava Slavik, Public Relations
Special thanks to Jason Baguio for help with Alicia's interview.