Page 8 - June-2021-Voices

COVER STORY

You are are the first Superfecta or Grand Slam eloquent. To say I was “better” than them is just
winner. Winning all four District contests— wrong. The lesson in winning humility.
International Speech, Evaluation, Humorous

Speech, and Table Topics. Please share what When did you join Toastmasters and what
that title means to you. prompted you to do so? How long have you
Winning the Grand Slam taught me two been a member, what club do you belong to,
things - humility and humility. I have lost far etc.?
more speech competitions than I’ve won. I would I’m a member of the Silicon Forest

probably do well on that reality TV show, The Toastmasters Club. We meet on Wednesdays
Biggest Loser, because they judge you on how at Noon (PDT). I’m also a member of the
much you can lose. However, every loss taught newly-chartered PR Masters (7pm first Thursdays
me that I had something to learn. Taking these PDT).

lessons to heart, I learned a lot. No matter how Toastmasters for me began with an election.
painful it is to lose, it teaches you that there is In 2009, I had been elected to be the president of
always more to learn even if it’s just how to lose our kids’ elementary school parent organization
with grace and aplomb. The lesson in losing without knowing how to lead a group. I

- humility. mentioned this to my friend, Tom, who said,
On the flip side,
I have also won all
four District speech

competitions which
is informally known
as the ‘Grand Slam’
of District Speech

contests. I’d be lying
if I didn’t tell you
it felt good to win
that prestigious,

unofficial honor. Yet,
there’s something
to learn in winning,
too. Every competition had its share of terrific “You should come to Toastmasters. We lead. We

speeches. Sometimes, I would laugh or be moved speak. We have fun.” And I replied, “You lead.
nearly to tears by a competitor’s speech. Other You speak. That doesn’t sound like fun.” But I
evaluation contestants were insightful and many went to Toastmasters anyway and, well, the rest
impromptu competitors were spontaneously is rhetorical history.

8 ONE COMMUNITY