Page 8 - july 2022

COVER STORY
similar ci cumstances. I had carefully prepared,
planned for a meeting, knew exactly what I
was going to say,and someone with a stronger
voice took over the meeting and I never had the
chance to speak. Again, I knew I needed to start
my Toastmaster journey. After a discussion with
a manager, I set a new goal to join Toastmasters.
I endeavored to take the program to heart. I
embraced the full program. What really made
me stay in Toastmasters was the evaluations.
The evaluations shared with me inspired me
to continue. I was told what I did well, how I
could improve, and how to take my speeches
to the next level.
What has been your greatest Aha! Moment in your
Toastmasters journey so far? Why?
I attended Toastmasters meetings at 6:30
on Wednesday mornings about 10 miles from
my house. With the advent of Covid, I have
been able to join meetings and meet people
who live around Oregon, as well as other states
and countries outside the United States. I met
8 ONE COMMUNITY
Toastmasters from all over the world as I
participated in my Leadership training the
last two years. I found it interesting that I
had so much in common with people from
other parts of the world. Toastmasters and the
issues and questions we have here in District
7 are the same in Asia, Europe, and Canada.
In 2020, I was asked to run for the position
of Club Growth Director. It was the first
Covid year and things were uncertain. Yet,
the members in our District supported my
efforts to build new clubs and support all clubs
in achieving excellence. We chartered six
new clubs and coached many. I appreciated
my Team members as we worked together to
achieve district goals. Last year our Teams
were able to implement two-day Toastmasters
Leadership Institutes, monthly Learning
Labs, Tech Tuesdays, Pathways trainings,
and we offered a fun Bingo incentive. It was a
great year in the making. What I have enjoyed
the last two years is meeting people from all
District 7. Together we have worked hard and
had a great team effort. We have been able to
take a difficult situation like Covid and turn
it around where we can all learn, grow, and
meet new people.
What is your vision for the District as the District
Director during 2022-2023?
My vision for 2022-2023 is a continuation
of the past two years: “to build new clubs and
support all clubs in achieving excellence.”
Members worked hard to finish the year
Distinguished. They held Open Houses,
delivered speeches, and persevered to
complete their goals. We are beginning this
new Toastmaster year with the same ambition
and continued motivation.
Our District will have great incentives this
year for our members and clubs. Watch for
new ones and old favorites which include the
Moments of Truth, Club Success Plans, and
Club Open Houses.
We will include
• Pursuing viable club leads
• Building new clubs
• Helping clubs plan quality meetings
• Welcoming new members.
It is going to be a great year and I’m glad
we are in this journey togetherthis journey
together, let’s continue to talk.
.,
Jim Robison, DTM - Program Quality Director
Why did you join Toastmasters?
I joined Portland Toastmasters in 1991
when a friend invited me. When I first started
to attend I did not have the funds to pay
dues, so I attended as a guest for 9 months
before joining the Club. I guess 9 months as
a guest is not much compared to the 31 years
I've been a member. I remember seeing a lot
of people in the room taking notes during
speeches and wondering "What are all these
people taking notes about?" Later I realized
these were notes to give evaluations, feedback,
grammarian reports, etc. A few members
of the Club were longtime members who
would sometimes comment about how much
Toastmasters had changed since they started
allowing women to be members (changed
for the better). One story they told was that
before Toastmasters International allowed
women to join, some Clubs (including
Portland Toastmasters) would admit women
as members and just put their initials on the
membership application—until Toastmasters
International started rejecting those and
required full names.
What has been your greatest Aha! Moment in
your Toastmasters journey so far? Why?
Perhaps it was when I realized that I could
do a better job of helping other people improve
their communications skills than what I could
do myself. It makes me feel good when I can
give a speaker recommendations on their
VOICES! | JULY 2022 9