1st Virtual Memory Cafe in the Garden a Success!
Karl Ackerman and Audra Sears assisted me. We served 3 guests. We are very new to the Zoom technology. That said, it was a success.
Technology & User-Experience Decisions & Lessons
Thanks to Beth Solzberg of JF & CS in Waltham who provided the how-to technology slides and many other how-tos. Lessons learned: A. We will encourage phone guests to stay on the phone, and as they try to navigate the computer… B. We will figure out how to have a 2nd Host, who will be able to more privately handle guests onboarding and needs throughout the program. C. 10 minutes before the 10am start, we will offer to help anyone new to Zoom to get connected.
We initially recorded a video walk-through the garden, but after reviewing it, we decided a slideshow would offer more condensed color, interest & guest-interaction opportunities (sing-a-longs & chair-dancing).
Program Not-Recorded but High Value and Will Repeat
After the 45 min. recording, the program included:
Show & Tell (20 min.): guests shared stories re plants in the home and cuttings from the garden.
Closing Ritual (5 min.): guided relaxation exercise
Upcoming Events & Goodbye (5 min.): specific upcoming opportunities (Private Garden Time by appointment & Next Program Date)
Next Time: Saturday, May 9, 10am – 11:30am (Mother’s Day Weekend)
We expect to offer a virtual Memory Cafe program again on Saturday, May 9, 10am. The content will again focus on bulbs and perhaps lilacs, if in bloom. Please e-mail me if you’d like to be sure to receive the e-mail invite for the Virtual May Memory Cafe in the Garden meeting, which I will e-mail the beginning of May.