Page 3 - July 2020

New Beginnings

Phyllis Harmon, DTM

Welcome to the start of another Toastmasters year. 2019-20

is behind us except for locking the door. My foot is on the
starting line ready to push off and race into the new year. Now
is the time to plan what I want to accomplish in the 365 days
ahead. Whether it’s reinventing myself (a project I started last

year), learning new skills in Pathways, or applying what I learn, now is the time
to begin a new chapter in the ongoing saga of life. I am ready—bring it on!
Covid-19 restrictions are still with us, making me think how I plan to
cope with shutdowns, facemasks, and social distancing. Who knew those

three terms would become commonplace in my vocabulary! The web is full
of promotions for facemasks and personal protective equipment (PPE) which
I race past unwilling to stock up for a pandemic I’m confident will die out
before year’s end. (Now that is wishful thinking!) I listened to a radio discussion

yesterday on the dangers of using too much hand sanitizer. I would never
have paid attention to the topic before the shutdown last March!
Speaking of learning new skills, becoming a competent Zoomer is high EDITORIAL
on my list. It takes special concentration (at least on my part) to conquer my

inability to assign people to Zoom rooms or video share. I’m pretty sure
my fumblings during meetings will be hilarious memories miles and miles
down the road!
What I wish for all of us is that we flourish in the new year under the

guidance of our District Trio, that our indomitable spirit of community
thrives regardless of the boulders strewn in our path, and that we find the
time to connect virtually across the globe. No matter
who we are or wish to be, in our hearts and souls we

are Toastmasters. And that says it all.

Volume 7 Issue 1 July 2020 Monthly Columnists 2020-21 Officers Administrative Manager
Publisher B. Lee Coyne, ATMS District Director Phyllis Harmon, DTM
Phyllis Harmon, DTM Eldred Brown, DTM PJ Kleffner, DTM
Emilie Taylor, DTM Public Relations Manager
Associate Publisher Harvey Schowe, DTM Program Quality Director Neal Iversen
Brenda Parsons, ACS, ALS James Wantz, DTM Eldred Brown, DTM
Senior Editor Leanna Lindquist, DTM Club Growth Director Voices! is published monthly by District 7
Phyllis Harmon, DTM Lorrie Andersen, DTM Lorrie Andersen, DTM Toastmasters. First issue published August
Michelle Alba-Lim, DTM 2014. Submit articles or contact us at
Associate Editor Paul Fanning, DTM Finance Manager voices@d7toastmasters.org
Leanna Lindquist, DTM PJ Kleffner, DTM Jamie Gould, CC

VOICES! | JULY 2020 3