Page 9 - july 2022

COVER STORY

Toastmasters from all over the world as I Distinguished. They held Open Houses, these were notes to give evaluations, feedback,

participated in my Leadership training the delivered speeches, and persevered to grammarian reports, etc. A few members
last two years. I found it interesting that I complete their goals. We are beginning this of the Club were longtime members who
had so much in common with people from new Toastmaster year with the same ambition would sometimes comment about how much
other parts of the world. Toastmasters and the and continued motivation. Toastmasters had changed since they started
issues and questions we have here in District Our District will have great incentives this allowing women to be members (changed

7 are the same in Asia, Europe, and Canada. year for our members and clubs. Watch for for the better). One story they told was that
In 2020, I was asked to run for the position new ones and old favorites which include the before Toastmasters International allowed
of Club Growth Director. It was the first Moments of Truth, Club Success Plans, and women to join, some Clubs (including

Covid year and things were uncertain. Yet, Club Open Houses. Portland Toastmasters) would admit women
the members in our District supported my We will include as members and just put their initials on the
similar ci cumstances. I had carefully prepared, efforts to build new clubs and support all clubs • Pursuing viable club leads membership application—until Toastmasters
planned for a meeting, knew exactly what I in achieving excellence. We chartered six • Building new clubs International started rejecting those and
was going to say,and someone with a stronger new clubs and coached many. I appreciated • Helping clubs plan quality meetings required full names.

voice took over the meeting and I never had the my Team members as we worked together to • Welcoming new members.
chance to speak. Again, I knew I needed to start achieve district goals. Last year our Teams It is going to be a great year and I’m glad What has been your greatest Aha! Moment in
my Toastmaster journey. After a discussion with were able to implement two-day Toastmasters we are in this journey togetherthis journey your Toastmasters journey so far? Why?

a manager, I set a new goal to join Toastmasters. Leadership Institutes, monthly Learning together, let’s continue to talk. Perhaps it was when I realized that I could
I endeavored to take the program to heart. I Labs, Tech Tuesdays, Pathways trainings, ., do a better job of helping other people improve
embraced the full program. What really made and we offered a fun Bingo incentive. It was a their communications skills than what I could
me stay in Toastmasters was the evaluations. great year in the making. What I have enjoyed do myself. It makes me feel good when I can
The evaluations shared with me inspired me the last two years is meeting people from all Jim Robison, DTM - Program Quality Director give a speaker recommendations on their

to continue. I was told what I did well, how I District 7. Together we have worked hard and
could improve, and how to take my speeches had a great team effort. We have been able to Why did you join Toastmasters?
to the next level. take a difficult situation like Covid and turn I joined Portland Toastmasters in 1991

it around where we can all learn, grow, and when a friend invited me. When I first started
What has been your greatest Aha! Moment in your meet new people. to attend I did not have the funds to pay
Toastmasters journey so far? Why? dues, so I attended as a guest for 9 months
I attended Toastmasters meetings at 6:30 What is your vision for the District as the District before joining the Club. I guess 9 months as
on Wednesday mornings about 10 miles from Director during 2022-2023? a guest is not much compared to the 31 years

my house. With the advent of Covid, I have My vision for 2022-2023 is a continuation I've been a member. I remember seeing a lot
been able to join meetings and meet people of the past two years: “to build new clubs and of people in the room taking notes during
who live around Oregon, as well as other states support all clubs in achieving excellence.” speeches and wondering "What are all these

and countries outside the United States. I met Members worked hard to finish the year people taking notes about?" Later I realized

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