Page 8 - May 2020

COVER STORY

I called my Administrative Assistant, and talked about what he called “Face Time.” His

said, “Leslie I have to do something, I don’t know concept centered around getting up in front of
how to talk to these people!” Her reply, “What people and talking. It was very simple he said,
about Toastmasters?” She shared a bit of what “Always, always have a talk ready to go no matter
she thought Toastmasters was and I asked her what.” At that moment I told myself that I was

to find me a club somewhere around the office. never going to be without a talk ready to go at
She did and I went. a moments notice. From that time onward I
I remember that Wednesday, seven o’clock developed the mindset that I would always be
in the morning. I was greeted at the door by prepared with a talk. That if I was in attendance

this lady with a big smile, a hand shake, and at a Toastmasters meeting and there was an
“Welcome to Fireside Toastmasters, is this your open slot for a speaker I would fill that slot. I
first time attending a meeting?” can say that I have upheld that mantra ever
“Yes,” I said a bit reluctantly. She proceeded since October of 2014. As I took on that mindset

to introduce me to a few other members who and prepared myself to be accountable to what
helped me to overcome the considerable amount Darren talked about, I found that my skills began
of nervousness I was feeling. I had no idea what to increase. Self confidence jumped by leaps and
to expect. I was encouraged to have some coffee bounds. I was completing manual projects at an

and breakfast all arranged on side tables in the
room. I wasn’t the first to arrive but soon after
many more members filled the room. In total
there were over twenty-five people present that

day. The meeting opened with an invocation,
a pledge of allegiance, and what they called a
“waker upper” (which was fun). Through the
course of the next hour and a half, the meeting

was a balanced mix of professionalism, learning,
and fun. I was very impressed with the group.
I made a decision right then to become part of
the organization.

What has been your greatest Aha!

Moment in your Toastmasters journey
so far? Why?

My greatest “aha” moment by far came in
October of 2014 when Darren LaCroix, one of the
Champions of Public Speaking, was the keynote
2019 Early Words Executive Board
speaker for our District 7 Fall Conference. He

8 ONE COMMUNITY