Distance Never Sets Us Apart

A letter for Toastmasters

Dear members,

I am pleased to write to you, as an officer of Toastmasters.

In the past month, it seemed that a bighand had pressed the “PAUSE” button and the whole world stopped functioning.

The outbreak of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia has deeply affected our lives and work, as well as Toastmasters activities. Most of the offline club regular meetings are suspended.

No business work, no outdoor activities, no contact with people at all. We are screened from the ordinary life.

This reminded me of the incidents that I went through before:

2003, I was a middle school student. SARS brokeout, and I remember how the constant TV news broke people’s heart.

2008, I was a freshman in Sichuan University. When the massive earthquake struck Wenchuan, I ran out from the shaking building and saw the fear in people’s eyes.

2015, terrorist attacked France. That night, like most of Paris citizens, I went down to the street and mourned for the people killed in the accident.

You may say, human beings are weak and helpless under the disaster.

Yes, made of flesh and blood, we may not be excluded from being hurt.

However, our bodies may suffer, but our minds are strong.

For thousands of years, with determinationand efforts, we always survived.

Toastmasters will survive.

We see around 80% of clubs have started to conduct online regular meetings from February, including ourselves.

We have been creating new ways of interesting interaction;

We have been involving larger range of clubs and participants;

Physically, we are apart from each other. But in the meeting room, borders have been eliminated.

For the first time, Toastmasters from China, the U.S., Singapore, Australia and other countries met each other and shared the special meetings together.

Dilemma has been turned into innovation.

Dear Toastmasters, I really appreciate your proactivity and confidence to overcome difficulties.

You surprised others, and I believe, you've also made yourselves proud.

As club officers, we stand ready to help and support you at all times.

Should you have any need or questions, please feel free to contact your mentor or the officer team.

Stay safe and healthy.

Together we shall go through this tough time.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Cara Tan