Chapter Meetings or Awkward Zoom Calls?

 I am in a professional medical fraternity here at UK, Phi Delta Epsilon. Last year, we had meetings on Wednesday evenings as well as alternating medical events where different doctors came in and presented to us or we got to do a hands on activity. With COVID, our meetings have been moved to zoom calls where we must keep our camera on the entire time. Additionally, if there is a medical event, we must still wear business casual attire for the zoom call. For some meetings, members are able to attend in person while wearing a mask but the majority of members just attend on zoom. With so many members, it's hard to tell if people are actually paying attention on the call or just filling space. It can be really distracting when people are moving around on screen, but since the cameras have to be on it's hard to avoid that issue. Sometimes connection is bad or I just zone out whereas before COVID, I was always super interested and present at the meetings and medical events. It was pretty enjoyable, but with COVID it makes meetings somewhat awkward because everyone is just starring into the camera with the same few people engaged. 

Above is a picture from a chapter meeting, where you can see the slideshow behind one of the executive board members in the cell highlighted green. For this meeting, I was waiting for a Zumba class to begin, while another member was sitting at their desk and another on their couch. People have been in cars or other events while virtually attending the meeting. The flexibility is nice just because people can be wherever they need to be, but sometimes I wonder if that effects whether or not members are paying attention. For medical events, I usually just wear a business casual shirt and sweatpants since I'm just at home and they can't see my lower body. COVID has made it difficult to have social events with the fraternity as well because of group capacity. Last year, we went to Fright Night in a big group, but this fall the social event is bowling with a prearranged sign up sheet to ensure that there aren't too many people. It's hard to be involved with the fraternity due to the changes with COVID. Even though I've adapted well, I really hope next semester we are able to have more in person meetings and medical events.