Page 31 - 2019 April

LEANNA LISTENS

Bruce & Gloria Crockett
THE VALUE OF TOASTMASTERS

Leanna Lindquist, DTM

I met Gloria and Bruce Crockett at a High of Redmond for what we have learned and local publication with pictures and names of
Desert Division Contest when they were new to are learning. It is the safe environment, the Toastmasters who achieved Levels 1, 2, or 3.
Toastmasters. I have reconnected with them over supportive club members, the mentoring and Dee Cort, club president, and Beckie Sibley,
the years at contests and conferences. Their story encouragement, the growth in confidence VP of Membership, are running a Toastmasters
of a couple enjoying Toastmasters together should as leaders and speakers that is the proof of class for the Redmond High School ROTC that

inspire other members to invite their spouses to join. Toastmasters success. In the mix of all of this, is going quite well.
let us not forget the fun that leads to laughter is
What brought you to Toastmasters? Please share your advice to members
what keeps this club healthy.
We joined the Redmond Toastmasters Club who want to invite their spouse to join

in February, 2016. We sought out Toastmasters Tell us about the challenges your small their club?
because we were both representing a multi- town club has and how you address Not all couples are ready to join Toastmasters
level marketing (MLM) company and wanted them. at the same time. It depends on their

to improve our presentation skills. Both of
We live in a community of 28,000+ people. circumstances (age of children, schedules,
us are ordained ministers. When ministers We have watched members come and go but we club meetings time), their professions, or their
preach a sermon they have much more time to Houses at the Redmond Library, and one of the have a stable core group and our club seems to demeanor. Some spouses are quiet, and some are
develop their story or thought process with the club members was always at the Chamber of attract new members when needed. Recruiting outgoing. If a member wants to invite a spouse to
congregation. In MLM, a representative may Commerce Coffee Clatters on Friday mornings happens at Open Houses, Chamber Coffee join, laying a foundation in advance before the

only have a minute or five minutes at the most to share about Toastmasters. Clatters (our club sponsors one every year), and invitation is important. Sharing these positive
to share. Learning how to speak effectively in a We found not only a new skill set, but also in conversations with people in the community. components may help the spouse: the club has
timed scenario was essential for our professional a community of believers in the purpose of Our approach with the community is to express a safe environment, there is no pressure to get

goals. Toastmasters. Developing leaders and improving and demonstrate how Toastmasters adds value up front right away, there are many beginners
our speaking skills are supported by all club in the club currently feeling the same way the
What has your Toastmaster journey been members because we are all striving for the same to your professional life. We are successful in spouse might be feeling, the support for each
like? things. Honoring the accomplishments of the recruiting because of our “presence” in the member is excellent, the club meetings are fun
community.
In May of 2017, Bruce was elected President of club’s members and the flow of encouragement, Valerie Nichols, our VP of Public Relations, is and have lots of laughter, and the club is growing

the club for the 2017-18 year and Gloria was the mentoring, and opportunities to grow are savvy with social media. She has improved our and very successful in the community, are all
Sergeant of Arms. Together we had a lot to learn. unceasing, especially when you have a great presence on Facebook and our Facebook page, good elements to point out. Does this make the
The members of the club were very supportive team on the Executive Committee.
posted videos of our meetings, our awards at decision to join easier? Do people/couples have
and willing to do their part to help make the Level recognition, and our club Speech Contest a yearning to belong to a community of people
club successful. Club members attended TLI and Why do you stay in Toastmasters? award presentations. Val wrote an article for a where they are appreciated? Where they are
District Conferences, the club sponsored Open We enjoy belonging to the Toastmasters
challenged in supportive and gentle ways? We

30 ONE COMMUNITY VOICES! | APRIL 2019 31