Page 21 - September 2017 Voices

PERSPECTIVES

Get Everything You Can

Out of Toastmasters

by Leanna Lindquist, DTM, IPDD

Does your work day focus on meeting Visit Other Clubs
deadlines, office politics, and keeping your I think one of the
head down out of fear of future layoffs? Does best ways to enhance
your current working situation prevent you your experience is to visit another club. It will
from developing leadership skills —skills that take you out of your comfort zone when you
can set you apart from your co-workers? Skills speak before a different audience. Receiving
than can lead to a promotion or a better job? evaluations from other than your club members
That’s where Toastmasters can make the can be insightful. Because every club is unique,
difference. Clubs will joyfully give you the you may find other ideas to bring back to your
opportunity to spread your leadership wings. club. You too have much to offer when you
To practice and learn. To become confident visit another club.
in multiple leadership situations. All you have
to do is ask. Events
Chairing a club contest or public relations District 7 offers great training events twice
campaign gives you the experience to lead a year. Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI)
a small team. Serving as a club officer, is the go-to event for club officer training, and
completing officer training, performing your it offers so much more. Our members share
role, and doing your best will do more for their expertise in breakout sessions. You have
growing your leadership skills than any high the opportunity to network with members
priced leadership program ever will. from across the District. Our potluck lunches
Only part of what you can get out of are legendary. Best of all TLI is free.
Toastmasters comes from your club. There is The District puts on great conferences. A
so much more if you take advantage of it. keynote speaker, breakout sessions, food and

Resources contests make for a great day. You can register
District 7 has the monthly magazine Voices! for the 2017 Fall Conference here. You owe it
This monthly flipbook style magazine is in it’s to yourself to attend.
4th year of publication. Every issue has news Contests are one of the best ways to step
about District events and practical information out of your comfort zone. Compete in the
from other members. Pick and choose what International Speech, Evaluation, Table Topics
is of value to you. Toastmasters Magazine and Humorous Speech contests offered during
comes to your mailbox monthly. You will find the year. It’s worth entering a club contest at
information to help improve your speaking least once. You won’t know if you like it until
skills and your club experience. Both magazines you try it out. At the very least when you attend
are archived on their respective websites. contests you will experience different speaking
The Toastmasters International website, styles, learn what contests are all about, and
toastmasters.org, has a plethora of information. meet new people.
Click the Resources link for Videos, Podcasts, Whether you joined to improve your
and speaking tips. Click the Education link speaking and leadership skills or to get over
and check out Pathways, the new education your fear of speaking, Toastmasters has a lot
program. Our own District 7 website, to offer. In addition to your club meetings,
d7toastmasters.org, is the go-to place for utilize resources, events and other clubs to get
District events, incentives, and to find District everything you can out of Toastmasters.
officers.

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