Page 14 - September 2017 Voices

JOURNEYS

Ray Fox: Be the Change You

Wish the World to Be

by Brinn Hemmingson, ACG, CL

With a twist on Gandhi’s famous quote, When Ray was paroled, he arranged to have
Ray Fox took me on a journey that definitely breakfast at an IHop. He invited his Toastmasters
featured Toastmasters. Ray had a long, 36-year, family to join hm. Ray says he hoped maybe 7
involuntary vacation. While he was in the folks would join hin. Imagine his surprise when
correctional institutions he made a choice to turn he walked in and nearly 40 people stood up and
his life around and joined Toastmasters. clapped. No way was he going to let these people
If you have been to a contest at any down!
correctional facility, you will be struck by Ray says his dream is for Toastmasters to be
how amazing people are. They speak to their made available in every prison. The recidivism
journeys (crediting Toastmasters with everything rate for people who join while incarcerated and
from finding friends—dealing with their issues who stay with it when released is practically nil.
honestly) to being able to express themselves As for me, I gave him his first kiss of freedom.
better. Ray certainly found this to be true,
speaking successfully to a Parole Board 6 months
after joining Toastmasters. He jokingly says “You
can blame Toastmasters for my being paroled.”
Ray has belonged to several clubs: the
Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution (CRCI),
Columbia River Correctonal Institution (CRCI),
Rose City Toasters, Babble-On Toastmasters, and
Newberg Toastmasters. He was the Vice President
of Education at CRCI, and to his surprise, asked to
resign. That was in order for his fellow Toasties to
nominate him for Club President! He also served
as an Area Director.
Ray had some interesting and very positive
things to say about how Toastmasteres has helped
him. It’s given him courage. As he put it, he has
gone into job interviews with the attitude “This
gotten the job! He shared how he would fill out I can’t change the direction
job is mine!” Every time he has done so, he has

the application, get the interview, and get the of the wind, but I can
job offer.
Toastmasters has also helped with adjust my sails to always
relationships. He shared how, while in church, he
found himself sitting in front of Randy Harvey! reach my destination.
Now they are friends. Toastmasters opens doors
and provides a chance to allow anyone to be what Jimmy Dean
they want to be in life.

14 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 3 SEPTEMBER, 2017