Page 9 - 2018 December

like them; I just figured that they could help me confident in my ability to evaluate my employer’s
get better with my own speeches. processes and offer positive, non-confrontational

recommendations for how we can improve them.
How has Toastmasters influenced your My service as an Area and Division Director

life—play, work, community involvement? has given me the experience I need to be an
Most importantly, Toastmasters helped me effective team leader when the opportunity

overcome my social anxieties. Though I still arises—and I anticipate that it will. Additionally,
draw a lot of my energy from being alone, I don’t I like to advertise on my resume and in the
fear social engagement anymore and make it a interview how my Distinguished Toastmaster
point to schedule frequent attendance at social award validates that I have the communication

and professional networking events. and leadership skills my potential employer is
Play? Toastmasters has become an avenue of looking for (EVERY employer wants employees
play for me, even though it is quite structured in with those skills.)
its own way. I have the opportunity to try new Community Involvement? For one, service

things in my speeches, such as my spin on the as a district officer is, in my opinion, an avenue
opening line of Monty Python’s Lumberjack for community involvement unto itself. Outside
Song in my latest speech. Sometimes my novel of Toastmasters, I also serve in ministry to my
ideas bomb, but that’s what Toastmasters is for, church as an associate choir director. Though

to give me a lab where I can experiment and find I don’t direct my church choir often, most
what works, and what doesn’t work. Sometimes frequently substituting for our regular director
I find an idea that works, and I celebrate. when he has to be gone, I see how Toastmasters
Work? I’m much more confident during a has made me a lot more comfortable standing in

job interview in my ability to present those front of my choir and communicating through
technical and soft skills that I bring to the table hand-and-arm motions—verbally during
and how I can use those skills to bring value rehearsal—what I want from them and how I
to my interviewers’ business. I’m also more intend to interpret each hymn.

VOICES! |DECEMBER 2018 9