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up by 3-3:30 in the afternoon. I work about 3 and information found on the Toastmasters
out of 4 Saturdays a month precluding me from International website under Leadership Central,
attending many of the District events. Logic I looked at Clubs and membership. From over

should tell me that it is time to “move on” and 180 Clubs, we are down to 130 Clubs. Of those
be most grateful for the years I have already 30, 20 plus are in danger of being closed due
spent in Toastmasters. I have four Distinguished to having less than 8 members—the standard
Toastmaster plaques on the wall, a District 7 for Toastmaster Clubs to be considered in good

Herb C. Stude Educational Service Award, Area standing.
Director of the Year, and dozens of pins and Fellow Toastmasters, I am concerned by
certificates for other educational and leadership what I see and the loss of 50 Clubs in a 10-year
positions. I have done and completed most of period. The trend is the same for membership.

what I wanted to achieve in Toastmasters. I We have lost close to 50% of our members in
can rest on my laurels and walk away. BUT. . . I the same period. I am a realist, and I know we
found I am still a resource to some individual have had at least two major hits on Clubs and
Toastmasters and Clubs, even getting phone calls members during that time. The first factor was

at midnight when I am available! Can I give that the transition to Pathways and then 2 years of
up? Not really. Plus, I get the nifty privilege of Covid-19 pandemic issues. Even so, we are only
writing this column every month as well. No, I fooling ourselves when we accept these factors
do not think I am ready for the rocking chair as the reasons for the drop in both Clubs and

and not being active somewhere. members. Other factors include distinguished
I also “reviewed the situation” with our Clubs in jeopardy, education awards and, the
beloved District 7 Toastmasters and the stats most telling of all, trained officers. That one
involved. When I joined Toastmasters back in bothers me the most as we have the tools and

2009, there were over 180 Clubs in the District, resources to train leaders through twice yearly
and we had two Clubs in our small area with one Toastmaster Leadership Institutes, Division
more on the way. Today, with only one Club, that and Area officer make-up trainings, and Club
area is no longer in our District. Using the graphs level training programs. This is the first year I

VOICES! | AUGUST 2022 25