Page 10 - voices November

TRANSCENDING YOUR COMFORT ZONE

What’s Your Story?

John Rodke, DTM - District Director

It’s like everyone tells a story about themselves inside share, grow, and learn from you.
their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes I want to thank our club members and

you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story. officers in helping our Area Directors in their
—Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind efforts to support our clubs. You have warmly
This quote has resonated with me for years, as welcomed our District Leaders and shared what
what we develop during our time in Toastmasters. your clubs have been doing, and plan to do,
We tell stories about ourselves, our communities, to provide positive value to every member at

and our interpretations of our reality. We also get every meeting. A huge thank you for our Area
the marvellous gift of seeing members blossom Directors for helping support and evaluate our
as they become more comfortable telling their clubs and providing the valuable feedback to

own stories and becoming stronger leaders. help them improve.
My ask of you this month is to take your We are learning and growing together. Please
storytelling skills outside of your club and look for opportunities to do more of this on our
demonstrate them to your friends and family District 7 Calendar.
during your holiday gatherings. Share your I hope you enjoy delicious food, delightful

stories, invite folks to share theirs, and listen, stories, and a deluge of laughter throughout the
laugh, and gather material for future speeches. A rest of the calendar year.
fun thought might be to assign a “Story Master” Speak On!

(aka Table Topics Master) role to a curious
individual (maybe a young and rambunctious
one) at your gatherings. I hope some lively,
insightful, and heartfelt storytelling
commences from

that action. We do
not need to keep
Toastmasters as

a secret within our
clubs. Showing off
your hard earned
skills may help your
family and friends

10 ONE COMMUNITY