Page 39 - June 2019
P. 39

for opportunities to serve, take the time to craft     wall-a gift of the graduating class of 1906. Simply
      a quality speech or study what is required to be       lettered on it is a brief phrase summing up their
      the grammarian, ah-counter or Toastmaster role.        legacy to those who followed them—“Deeds not

         2. “To treat my fellow club members with respect    words.”
      and courtesy.” One of Frank’s crudely penciled             Toastmasters is an oratory-based program
      entries tells of “helping Willy from the school        requiring us to speak. But, it’s much, much more
      bully.” (And we think bullying is a current school     than just speaking. We evaluate gestures but what

      and social media problem.)                             about actions? We coach and praise each week
         Respect and courtesy are a two-way street.          but do we encourage, enthuse and enable each
      We can’t expect to be respected or treated in a        other? Again, I submit we all need a little more
      courteous manner if we don’t exhibit the same to       “action” to our participation, a little “doing,” and

      all others. In all the clubs I have been in during     most of all, a little more “humanity” in our daily
      my Toastmasters journey, they have all been            lives away from the club meeting. We are what
      comprised of individuals from various races,           we do. The “deeds” of the banner, not just what
      cultures, economic levels or genders.                  we say, the “words”.

         We are united in one thing—the goal to                  My fellow Toastmasters. Frank Pearce’s
      improve ourselves and our fellow man. This isn’t       year of daily deeds were an encouragement
      a pipedream; this should be our watchword and          and refreshing look at the past. I’ll never know
      goal. Once again, I urge you, fellow Toastmasters,     what happened to him and whether he became

      to be a positive role model.                           an Eagle Scout, leader, or served his country.
         3. “To act within Toastmasters’ core values of      However historical and “old fashioned” it seemed,
      integrity, respect, service and excellence during the   the concepts and actions should be practiced
      conduct of all TM activities.” What a mouthful!        today. What would your daily diary read? Would

      Yet these words outline the entire Toastmasters        you be seen as an example of a dynamic leader
      program and standard we are to embrace and             or speaker fulfilling the Toastmasters promise,
      champion.                                              core values and serving others? Or someone
         I am reminded of my hometown of Dutch Flat          just “going to meetings and then going home?”

      and the old two-story, four-room schoolhouse           Like Frank, only you can write your “year.”
      in the center of town. As you enter the main           Individually and collectively, let’s make 2019-
      double doors, you are greeted by a large white         2020 the banner year, the revival and statement
      silk banner with gold tassels hanging on the           of the value of Toastmasters.




                                                                                      VOICES! | JUNE 2019    39
   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44