Page 10 - September 2019

COVER STORY

suited for but excelled at. The tone of the question in other organizations and my profession, but

is whether I’m ready to hang up my boots. I still Toastmasters was outside of my comfort zone
have more “career” to go. I haven’t heard the fat at first. Here’s what I would recommend:
lady sing yet, and the hook to remove me from 1. Begin with your club meeting roles.
the stage hasn’t appeared. Practice for them, read about them, look

at the resources both written and online
Advice to Those Who Want for them and then learn by doing.
to Lead 2. Look at the needs of your club. Does it have

My advice? “LEAD, FOLLOW a sergeant-at-arms? Is there a vacant role

or . . . LEAD”! Leadership in or one soon to be vacated? Be bold, step
Toastmasters is a multifaceted forward and say “YES”. We’ll help you learn
adventure and learning your role through Toastmasters Leadership
experience. There are so Institute this November or club

many layers of leadership make-up training to be announced
within our organization in your area and division.
that anyone who aspires 3. Looking for a greater and
to lead should and can do rewarding challenge in service

so. As with all things in to others? Perhaps the area director
Toastmasters, we want you role—someone who is the friend to four
to succeed. or more clubs and will help with program
To grow, develop and be resources and tools for club success. Or

comfortable with your leadership skills. It’s as perhaps a division or district role. The truth
if there is a big poster of a Toastmaster standing is that it takes an “army” behind the “army” of
there pointing his (or her) finger at you saying area and division leaders in many committee
“I NEED YOU” ala the old WWI recruiting and support team roles that you may have

posters. Learning to be a leader may simply never heard of.
begin in your weekly club meeting in the Timer 4. How about becoming a Club Coach, Club
or Grammarian role until you feel confident Mentor, or Sponsor? If you feel you are
and comfortable enough to be Toastmaster. ready, that you are a leader among leaders,

Perhaps then you can see the need for well- maybe these are roles you might want to
trained and dynamic club officers. Other roles fill during this or the next program year.
for area, division and district (and even beyond Bottom line? LEAD by doing, FOLLOW to
to International) begin with a single step. I prepare yourself, and LEAD for a rewarding,

didn’t sit in my Toastmasters club meeting in rich and positive membership experience. I wish
2009 as Timer and say “I want to be director”. you all success and will see you as the leaders of
Instead I took “baby steps,” and two clubs later this District’s future and that of the Toastmasters
took on a club officer role. I had been a leader program.

10 ONE COMMUNITY