Page 21 - 2018 July Voices

Along with my fellow Toastmasters, I thought, handed him a copy of my book Squelched.

“wow, that’s cool.” We have been discovered Squelched shares with its readers my path, my
online! We gave Robert a huge applause for joyride, and yes, scary as it was at times bathed
joining us at the meeting, and for taking the first in the sweat of my heebee jeebees to overcome
step to find his voice. glossophobia (the fear of public speaking).

The time came for Table Topics, which is I wanted to make certain that Robert knew
when we Toastmasters and guests go around that we were a safe harbor Toastmaster Club, and
the room, one person at a time, standing up that we would enjoy supporting and encouraging
and responding to a topic proposed by the Table him on his new adventure.

Topics Master. When it was Robert’s turn to The following week, Robert returned to
participate, he passed. No one skipped a beat or Toastmasters. A few weeks after he began
drew attention to his decision to take a “pass.” attending regularly (and participating in Table
When the meeting was over, I wondered Topics), I asked him out for lunch.

“will our guest return?” I could relate to Robert, At lunch, Robert volunteered, “I read your
I had empathy for him. The first time I attended book and it was a very good read.” After reading
Toastmasters, 18 years ago, I too passed on Squelched he told me about his own glossophobia.
participating in Table Topics. I went back the Robert realized that he will find his voice too as a

second week only because my Toastmaster member of our safe harbor Toastmaster Club. He
sponsor insisted. Because someone cared enough shared with me that Toastmasters had opened up
to take me by the hand to the Toastmaster safe a completely new world for him. I assured him
harbor the following week, I returned. Many during our conversation that I would be available

don’t! to assist him on his journey, and that my fellow
After the meeting, I rode down the elevator Toastmasters would be there, too.
with Robert. Just moments before our elevator Robert shared with me in depth much of
ride arrived at the reception level, my fellow what he had thought about and learned since

Toastmasters enthusiastically thanked him for he joined Toastmasters. One salient point he
attending and welcomed him to return. I am mentioned stopped me in my tracks. As our
proud of my Toastmaster colleagues. Everyone conversation rolled on, Robert said he had shared
authentically expresses their support and his wonderful experience “so far” in Toastmasters

encouragement toward their fellow Toastmasters with some folks. A few asked, “why would you
and our guests. want to join Toastmasters?”
Before Robert walked down the street, off Tom Wolfe, thank you for standing up and
to work, alone in his own thoughts about the saying what you believed. Through your example

meeting, I asked him if he had a moment. I am empowered to speak up to what I believe—in
Immediately, Robert said, “Yes!” As we walked, my own voice! I told Robert that those people
I gave him my elevator pitch on the value of dissing his new adventure were presumptuous
Toastmasters. After we arrived at my car, I and pretentious. Robert readily agreed. We have

VOICES! | JULY, 2018 21