Revised Health & Safety Policy

as of May 1, 2026

FOR MEMBERS

We have relaxed the 2-week waiting period for travel and symptomatic members who have tested positive for a communicable disease (flu, covid, etc). We encourage people to test if they have suspicions about their status or stay online if they are unsure.

We are calling this new policy Skip 2 / Skip 1.

Here are the revised guidelines:

FEELING UNWELL

If you feel unwell (any reason), please join online that week.

PERSONAL TRAVEL

If you have traveled outside of New England (MA, CT, ME, NH, RI, VT) refer to the Skip 2 / Skip 1 policy below.

MAJOR TRAVEL EVENTS

We will will hold our meetings online for the first meeting following major travel holidays (ex Thanksgiving). This is change from our old policy of being online for two weeks.

  • Vaccines and boosters are still strongly encouraged per our venue, Old South Church.
  • Masking is welcomed if you feel comfortable. It is not required, however.

SKIP 1 / SKIP 2

If you tested positive for a communicable respiratory illness or traveled outside of New England…

….When the meeting 5 days or less from the day you return / stop having symptoms, skip 2 meetings/2 weeks. If the meeting is more than 5 days away skip 1.

If DAY 0 is….Tuesday,Skip today’s meeting. Attend online for the next meeting only. (Skip1)
Wednesday,attend online for the next meeting only. (Skip1)
Thursday,attend online for the next two meetings (Skip 2)
Friday,attend online for the next two meetings (Skip 2)
Saturday,attend online for the next two meetings (Skip 2)
Sunday,attend online for the next two meetings (Skip 2)
Monday,attend online for the next two meetings (Skip 2)
  • Members of other clubs within District 31 (Eastern MA & RI) may be included in this policy upon prior request from the visiting club’s board. 

FOR GUESTS:

  • No changes; Other guests will still be online-only.
  • Toastmasters members from outside District 31 to be handled on a case-by-case basis by our board, but are generally expected to attend online when we meet at Old South Church. Exceptions should be arranged in writing well before the meeting in question.

CALENDAR

2025-26 Program Year – known meeting states are posted, details to follow

JULY

  • 1 – hybrid
  • 8 – online (post July 4th)
  • 15 – hybrid
  • 22 – hybrid
  • 29 – in-person only (Boston Common – new member welcome April-June 2025)

AUG

  • 5 – hybrid (rain date for 7/29)
  • 12 – hybrid
  • 19 – hybrid
  • 26 – hybrid

SEPT

  • 2 – online(post Labor Day Weekend)
  • 9 – online(post Labor Day Weekend)
  • 16 – hybrid
  • 23 – hybrid
  • 30 – hybrid

OCT

  • 7
  • 14
  • 21
  • 28

NOV

  • 4
  • 11
  • 18
  • 25

DEC

  • 2 – Online (post-Thanksgiving)
  • 9 – Online (post-Thanksgiving)
  • 16 – hybrid
  • 23 – hybrid, subject to OSC schedule
  • 30 – online (post-Christmas)

JAN 2026

  • 6 – online (post NYE)
  • 13 – online (post NYE)
  • 20 – hybrid
  • 27 – hybrid online due to weather

FEB

  • 3 – Speech Contests – hybrid
  • 10
  • 17
  • 24

MAR

  • 3
  • 10
  • 17
  • 24
  • 31

APR

  • 7
  • 14
  • 21
  • 28 – field trip to Somerville

MAY

  • 5 – Board Elections – online only
  • 12
  • 19
  • 26 – online only post Memorial Day travel

JUNE

  • 2
  • 9
  • 16
  • 23
  • 30

Our on-site meetings are made possible by an all-volunteer board whose members have jobs, families, and their own health concerns. While these guidelines provide general expectations for meetings, we regret that circumstances will occasionally prevent us from meeting as planned. These dates should in no way be construed as an implied contract. Club members who RSVP on Easy-Speak before Monday will receive notice when there is a sudden change of plans no later than 3 pm Tuesday. Major shifts to the club’s meeting format (i.e. from hybrid to in-person or from hybrid to online-only) are subject to a vote of the club membership.