Zoom Buddies

When COVID began I was reluctant to use Zoom gatherings. My volunteer life, however, was socially distanced and required frequent gathering and meetings.  So, we all jumped in and used Zoom.

First was SCORE. Meeting with clients electronically yet with live video eased the sense of distance. Faces and names were put together. Soon we were talking freely and naturally. Phone calls and emails followed rapidly as well to document what we had agreed upon. We discussed issues and problems and resolved them quickly. Tougher problems required more Zoom meetings where documents could be shared on screen with the participants. Demonstrations could also be made. Work was progressing. We had Zoom to thank for that.

Church work involved at least three committees. We quickly adopted Zoom for that function. Each committee was radically different from each other but Zoom worked in all three. Eventually a comfort level formed naturally.

Our Writers' Connection group meets with Zoom, too. Works very well.

Another volunteer association meets weekly with 15 to 28 participants. We learned how to share our voices without creating electronic chaos. That application works quite well.

Eventually we also learned we didn’t have to dress differently, allow time to drive to a meeting site, or support the expense of that activity. All we had to do was sign in at the same time on the computer. It could not have been easier.

Now Zoom is a common element of my life. We have even done family gatherings. Our weekly church services are streamed live over Facebook once we plan the services by way of a Zoom meeting.

Zoom has allowed us to socially distance from others, safeguard our health from COVID, and still remain an active part of the many communities that comprise our daily lives. It is all good. Very good indeed.

Thanks Zoom.

September 6, 2020