Page 11 - Voices Oct2014 .pub
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wcasing Success...
Toastmasters for Speaking Professionals—
Demonstrating Community and Commitment
By Jennifer Strait, Club President
You know how you start out thinking you want one thing, and then discover you got
what you actually needed? My name is Jennifer Strait and I have the privilege of being
the President of Toastmasters for Speaking Professionals. I LOVE IT! I love my club, my Executive
Officers of Awesomeness, and my transformation as a leader! Who knew? Although I’ve never been
afraid of public speaking, I knew I certainly could benefit from honing my skills in speech writing,
timing, and ‘self awareness’ i.e. , seeing those blind spots where my annoying verbal ticks, hand
gestures, and body movements hide out. As I started to look
around, I was told that TSP was the club where good speakers go to
improve, try out material, and get feedback. I already had the
confidence to speak in front of a group…but if I wanted to get out
of my comfort zone. I needed to find a group that had members
who were comparable to my skill level and committed to becoming
BETTER. Better trainers, workshop leaders, coaches, consultants,
performers, and yes, public speakers. Yes, I found them all in TSPers take advantage of a photo op outside the
Toastmasters for Speaking Professionals (or as we fondly call it, Oregon Bar Association
TSP.) I found my Toastmasters tribe.
The club was chartered in 2011, and has been meeting at noon on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every
month at the Oregon State Bar. We have some amazing people who are up to making in a difference in
their worlds! There’s an entrepreneurial spirit with our group that appeals to a wide range of
professionals. We have a story teller, stand-up comedienne (or two…), a few
business consultants, coaches, naturopaths, a voiceover talent, financial
advisor, writer, health and wellness start up, an artist and more….And one
thing they all have in common is that they are all willing to leave ‘perfect’ at
the door in order to get the feedback and insights necessary to strengthen
the messages they put out into the world.
The success and sense of community of our club is a combined effort
between officers and members. Tom Cox, our VP of Education, is
Front, L to R: Lani , Tom, Zac, absolutely committed to our members and their goals and plans each
Back, L to R: Linda, Phyllis, Jennifer, meeting accordingly. Roland Jarka, our VP of Membership is a ROCKSTAR,
Roland connecting with our guests, answering questions, and getting a feel for
what they’re hoping Toastmasters will provide. Linda Bard is VP of Publicity and Social Media and
she’s always finding inspiring quotes, articles, and events to share with our Facebook members.
Sharing the successes of our members at the end of each meeting is important and Linda makes sure
everyone feels acknowledged. Phyllis Harmon is our Keeper of the Coin and handles the money with
integrity and transparency. Zac Beckhusen is our Club Secretary and does a great job of distilling
down our chatter to the salient points, agreements, and decisions. Our Sergeant at Arms, Lani Wiig, is
(Continued on page 17)
11
Toastmasters for Speaking Professionals—
Demonstrating Community and Commitment
By Jennifer Strait, Club President
You know how you start out thinking you want one thing, and then discover you got
what you actually needed? My name is Jennifer Strait and I have the privilege of being
the President of Toastmasters for Speaking Professionals. I LOVE IT! I love my club, my Executive
Officers of Awesomeness, and my transformation as a leader! Who knew? Although I’ve never been
afraid of public speaking, I knew I certainly could benefit from honing my skills in speech writing,
timing, and ‘self awareness’ i.e. , seeing those blind spots where my annoying verbal ticks, hand
gestures, and body movements hide out. As I started to look
around, I was told that TSP was the club where good speakers go to
improve, try out material, and get feedback. I already had the
confidence to speak in front of a group…but if I wanted to get out
of my comfort zone. I needed to find a group that had members
who were comparable to my skill level and committed to becoming
BETTER. Better trainers, workshop leaders, coaches, consultants,
performers, and yes, public speakers. Yes, I found them all in TSPers take advantage of a photo op outside the
Toastmasters for Speaking Professionals (or as we fondly call it, Oregon Bar Association
TSP.) I found my Toastmasters tribe.
The club was chartered in 2011, and has been meeting at noon on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every
month at the Oregon State Bar. We have some amazing people who are up to making in a difference in
their worlds! There’s an entrepreneurial spirit with our group that appeals to a wide range of
professionals. We have a story teller, stand-up comedienne (or two…), a few
business consultants, coaches, naturopaths, a voiceover talent, financial
advisor, writer, health and wellness start up, an artist and more….And one
thing they all have in common is that they are all willing to leave ‘perfect’ at
the door in order to get the feedback and insights necessary to strengthen
the messages they put out into the world.
The success and sense of community of our club is a combined effort
between officers and members. Tom Cox, our VP of Education, is
Front, L to R: Lani , Tom, Zac, absolutely committed to our members and their goals and plans each
Back, L to R: Linda, Phyllis, Jennifer, meeting accordingly. Roland Jarka, our VP of Membership is a ROCKSTAR,
Roland connecting with our guests, answering questions, and getting a feel for
what they’re hoping Toastmasters will provide. Linda Bard is VP of Publicity and Social Media and
she’s always finding inspiring quotes, articles, and events to share with our Facebook members.
Sharing the successes of our members at the end of each meeting is important and Linda makes sure
everyone feels acknowledged. Phyllis Harmon is our Keeper of the Coin and handles the money with
integrity and transparency. Zac Beckhusen is our Club Secretary and does a great job of distilling
down our chatter to the salient points, agreements, and decisions. Our Sergeant at Arms, Lani Wiig, is
(Continued on page 17)
11
