The Challenge
Prior to COVID-19 putting the Greater Toronto Area in lockdown, LUFA hosted their membership meetings in person. With limitations to in-person gatherings, conducting this meeting in person was no longer an option. It, like most in-person meetings, had to become virtual. The challenge became figuring out how to keep their members engaged, and the presentations running smoothly and tech-problem free.
The Solution
Our facilitator for this event coordinated with Linda St. Pierre to organize the distribution of the meeting invitations with a digital calendar included. And throughout the event, the facilitator ensured everything ran according to plan. When a speaker encountered audio issues, we were quick to fix the problem. This allowed the flow to remain undisturbed. On top of troubleshooting, the facilitator worked with the interpreters to ensure they had access to the interpretation panel and could provide simultaneous audio streams to participants listening in different languages.
The Results
After the meeting, LUFA was extremely pleased with the outcome. They commended the facilitator for their professionalism, troubleshooting support, and their timeliness in helping to organize the meeting.
About LUFA
LUFA is the Laurentian University Faculty Association. LUFA represents the faculty of Laurentian University, Huntington University, Thorneloe University, and the University of Sudbury. We are affiliated with the Canadian Association of University Teachers, the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations, the Sudbury and District Labour Council, the Ontario Federation of Labour, and the Canadian Labour Congress through the National Union of the Canadian Association of University Teachers.
A Word From The Client
First Class Facilitation serviced our association in the technological orchestration of our General Membership meeting. This meeting required numerous accounts of technical assistance, all provided by FCCF in a professional and stress-free manner. Throughout this virtual meeting, in-meeting motions and votes were conducted, in addition to presentations that were made using the Share Screen function on Zoom. With this came internet connection issues, creating challenges for those who needed to present, while also required to engage with others using their microphone and camera. However, these technical difficulties were quickly rectified due to the professionalism, responsiveness, and technical prowess of the facilitators at First Class Facilitation.
FCCF also assisted our membership by enabling language interpretation with an assigned interpreter, allowing participants to listen to the meeting in either English or French. First Class Facilitation had contacted the interpreters prior to the General Membership meeting, coordinating the interpretation panel in advance, to minimize any pressing technical challenges. After using the language interpretation services at First Class Facilitation, the process feels far more accessible and appears to be only one of the many advantages that come with virtual meetings, made possible through the outstanding support of First Class Facilitation.