Page 12 - Voices April 2018

JUST SAYIN . . .

May: Club Officer

Elections Month

Donna Stark, DTM—District Director

Promise. According to Dictionary.com, the word
promise is both a noun and a verb. As a noun, Plan is an opportunity to set goals, monitor
it’s a declaration that something will or will not progress, and adjust as necessary. Delegation is
be done. As a verb, it’s the act of making that a valuable (and necessary) leadership skill, and

declaration. (Promise is also defined as joining helps you develop the club leaders that will follow
in marriage, but that’s another column.) you. Being a club officer can help you cultivate
Did you know there’s a Toastmasters Promise? that skill!
It’s on the membership application that each You say you haven’t been an officer before

of us signed. I consider it the common-sense and don’t know what to do? There are resources
framework to getting the most out of the to help you. The Club Leadership Handbook is
Toastmasters program. In my tenure as a a great place to start. Toastmasters Leadership
Toastmaster, I’ve witnessed each aspect of the Institute (TLI) will be held on June 9th at

Toastmasters promise on a regular basis. It’s the Wilsonville High School. There will be other
key to the supportive club culture that keeps trainings available at the division level. And,
many of us coming back year after year. Each of as is the Toastmasters way, there will be people
those bullet points is second nature to us. We do available to answer your questions.

them without thinking twice. . . with the possible With each leadership role I’ve filled,
exception of bullet point #6. . . to serve my club I’ve learned more about the Toastmasters
as an officer when called upon to do so. program and about my own leadership and
May is club officer election month. Have you communication style. Filling a leadership role

hesitated to step up to be a club officer? Other can be a confidence-boosting experience that
than the fact that you promised you would, transfers into other areas of your life.
why should you consider a club officer role? For One of the definitions of promise is
starters, your club needs what you have to offer. “indication of future excellence or achievement.”

There are benefits for you, too! Don’t underestimate your leadership potential.
As a club officer, you are part of a team. It’s Filling a club officer role can help you realize
a great way to develop your ability to work your future excellence. Toastmasters—where
in a team setting. Preparing the Club Success leaders are made! Just sayin’.

12 ONE COMMUNITY