Page 26 - October 2017 Voices

SUCCESSFUL CLUB

University of Oregon Club

by Angela O’Brien, Club Treasurer

When I learned about Toastmasters, I needed be comfortable with these people. I started with
it for my profession as a health coach. I had no this this club just a few weeks before summer
idea what it was and I went to a few different break of 2016 and am going into my second
clubs in Eugene before finding my home school year, not only as a member, but now as
club—University of Oregon. Why did I pick this the club Treasurer.
particular one? Besides, the diversity and John Rodke, one
I’ll admit that I was very shy at first, at all of of the things I love best about UO Toastmasters
them. But something about our newly-appointed are the people and their personalities. I’ve made
District Quality Growth Director John Rodke’s friends with some of the members here. And it
speech that day lured me in. I wanted to hear gives you a sense of feeling like part of a family,
this guy speak more. He had such a great stage at least once you’ve been there a while. Knowing
presence, vocal variety, and way of connecting your team members care about you, your goals,
with me (and the rest of the audience). This guy struggles, and personal life makes you feel like
was my role model. I knew this would be my club. you belong and I feel like I definitely belong here.
The diversity was a huge reason why I stuck The roles that these members take outside of
with this particular club. Being in my profession, club meetings shows how much they truly care
I work with all sorts of people, so I needed a club about this organization and showing people that
that had variety. The UO club has members of this kind of organization exists. They actually
different ages, races, religions, and lifestyles. enjoy it. These members truly care about
It is a college-based club, so there are a lot of Toastmasters and its mission to help others
students (several from other countries) and succeed as leaders, speakers, and communicators.
graduates there as well. I felt this would be my The University of Oregon club is my home club
ideal audience for my profession, so I needed to and I will miss them when it’s time to move on.

A true community is not just about being geographically

close to someone or part of the same social web network. It’s

about feeling connected and responsible for what happens.

Humanity is our ultimate community, and everyone plays

a crucial role. —Yehuda Berg

26 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4 OCTOBER, 2017