Page 40 - June 2019

LEANNA LISTENS

Ted Takamura & Lisa Hutton
Lightening Strikes Twice at

Marylhurst Toastmasters

Leanna Lindquist, DTM

Less than 1 percent of Toastmasters earn a Distinguished Toastmaster Award. To find two
members challenging and supporting each other in the same club is rare. I hope those of you who
are considering completing your DTM in the last year of the Legacy Program will find inspiration
from Lisa Hutton and Ted Takamura, the newest DTMs at Marylhurst Toastmasters Club.

What brought you to Toastmasters? goals and moving to the next level was a natural
Ted: I first came to Toastmasters meetings thing for me to do.

with my spouse. I attended many meetings and Lisa: At first I was enjoying the journey
enjoyed the structure, order and consistency of without keeping track of the markers along the
the meetings. I finally decided to join about four way. I served both my club and D7 in various
years after attending many meetings to deliver leadership roles and enjoyed networking. As I

speeches. talked with Toastmaster friends it occurred to
Lisa: In 2011 I attended a job seekers support me that many of them were DTMs. Others were
group facilitated by Cleon Cox. He encouraged working on theirs. It often seemed out of reach
everyone to check out Toastmasters. I lived in and yet, if they could do it, why not me? The push

West Linn and found Marylhurst Toastmasters I needed came when Toastmasters International
Club. I went as a guest a few times and joined. launched Pathways. They called the previous
I joined to find supportive friends and regain manuals the “Legacy Program”, and announced
my confidence. I lost my job of almost 10 years. a 2020 deadline. It would be the perfect 50 year

I needed to join a supportive group comprised birthday present that I could give myself.
of people committed to personal growth. Within
a few months of joining, I was elected the VP of What requirement did you find the most challenging?
Education. The fall of 2011 I jumped into the Ted: The most challenging were in two areas.

Toastmaster deep end. I accepted the position First, the accomplishment of becoming a district
of Public Relations Officer for District 7. officer for a year was daunting. Secondly, getting
a worthwhile project for the High Performance
What made you decide to earn a Distinguished Leadership requirement took me a long time to

Toastmaster Award? decide on.
Ted: My nature is about execution. I do not see Lisa: Serving as a Club Sponsor, Mentor or
the value of doing things over and over without Coach was the most challenging. Not the activity
any target or goal in mind. Therefore, setting of mentoring itself, which is what I ended up

40 ONE COMMUNITY