Page 10 - June 2020

THE DISTRICT BEAT

A Year to Remember

Emilie Taylor, DTM - District Director

As I look back at the picture taken on June 1, year, ask yourself, “Was it worth it? What did I
2019, at Directors Training in Wilsonville, I am learn that I can use in other parts of my life?”
reminded of that day and the beginning of this There are three lightbulb moments I will

year’s journey together. I look at the beaming always carry with me:
and bewildered faces of the Area and Division
Directors and the Trio. I can still hear those half- Positivity goes a long way
muttered sentences. “What did I sign up for?” Can Having a sunshiny attitude will take you

I do this?” “What the heck have I gotten myself through the most trying times. The more we
into?” that echoed through the building that day. focus on the positives, the bigger they get. Think
I genuinely believe that there is nothing better about looking for a red corvette—suddenly you
than experiential learning. There is no detailed see them everywhere. Being District Director

handbook on what we must do every day in our made me develop a positive attitude; perhaps I
positions. We received guidelines, priorities, and have always had one, but I feel it more this year.
a safety net of peers and mentors who walked Twenty-five years ago, I took one of those
our path before us. This loose structure gave us relational psychology tests where your answers

the freedom to try new approaches to old issues. reveal aspects of your personality and values.
And that’s what District leadership is all about The question was, what do you see when you are
—pushing the boundaries. If we do it well, our walking through a dense forest? My response? I
clubs thrive. If not, then we try something else. see the sun rays going through the little cracks

The spirit of servant leadership kept us focused in the foliage. (I am an optimist based on that
and moving forward despite the challenges laid answer.)
before us.
This picture proves that successfully running I am more forgiving of my perceived
a District requires a committed team! Words shortcomings.

are not enough to express my gratitude for I used to be so hard on myself, and I think
the laughter, challenges, and growth we have that changed thanks to Toastmasters. When you
experienced together. As you look back on the are responsible for uplifting everyone around

10 ONE COMMUNITY