Janette and I both
joined the next week - I remember that Art said he had big plans for me.
Little did I realize! With Art as my mentor, I was soon elected to
my first officer position, VP Membership. Next term I was running
for VPE, then six months later, I was elected President. Art made
it clear that I had the potential to be a future International Director!!
Although I was sure he was crazy, he helped me take one step at time.
It wasn’t scary at all. So many people were willing to help, and
there is always such terrific support for our leaders.
Although I haven’t made International
Director (yet!), I am clearly hooked on Toastmasters. There are so
many opportunities to learn, and to give. Although I love my experience
as a district leader, I am enjoying the opportunity to compete (and be
humbled!) in speech contests again.
For those of you who know
me, Toastmaster Leadership Institute (TLI) is a passion. I
have sat through too many “less than thrilling” training sessions.
I knew there had to be a better way. After attending my first Regional
conference in 1995, I learned about Toastmasters TLI program – an alternative
to “traditional” club officer training. With the support of then-district
governor Terri Sparks, I put together a TLI team during my LGET
year. Jodie and Stefan Petra were my chairmen. Together,
we had a vision, and they made it a reality. It’s a program that
continues to evolve, and I am in awe of the progress made by a handful
of committed volunteers.
One of the greatest moments
of my life was standing on the stage in Palm Desert in 1998 to accept the
Distinguished District award for District 3. A throng of District
3 supporters who attended the International Convention surrounded me.
The moment was especially thrilling, since I had announced at July Jubilee
that we had met all our District goals but one. Imagine my surprise
when I was told we had met all the goals!
This past year, I decided
that I needed to practice what I preached. I can’t tell you how many
times that I have encouraged others to apply for the Outstanding TM of
the Year award, and this was the first time in 8 years that I was eligible!
It’s so easy. Just keep a file of the Toastmaster activities for that year.
I kept a copy of the program from every contest, area meeting, conference,
and club that I visited this last year. I also kept a copy of my
speech completion page from the manuals. When July 1st, came along,
it was easy for me to complete the form.
I am honored to join the
ranks of past recipients of the District Outstanding TM of the Year.
The beauty of the Toastmaster
program is that there are many more opportunities for me to grow and learn.
There are several administrative positions and committees that I would
like to lend my talents to in future years. But, first, I have to
win my Area Contest, so that I can start my trek to World Champion of Public
Speaking! Hey, we all have to start somewhere!
Basic Facts:
Continuous member of Papago
Toastmasters since April 1989.
Held every club office except
Sgt. at Arms.
Outstanding Area M2 Toastmaster
1989.
Served as Area M2 Governor
92/93
Outstanding Committee Chairman,
1994 (Judges Training and District Database)
Served as Metro Division
Governor 94/95; Outstanding Division Governor
Elected as Lt. Governor
Marketing for District 3 1995/96
Earned the Distinguished
Toastmaster award 1996
Elected as Lt. Governor
Education 1996/97
Founded Toastmasters Leadership
Institute - 1996
Elected as District Governor
1997/98
Achieved Distinguished District
1998
TLI Committee Chairman 1999-2001
Outstanding TM of the Year
2000
District 3 Clubs I have
joined or helped sponsor:
Leaders Plus
Talk of the Tower
Graceful Communicators
Good Neighbors
ISC Westwinds
E-Toasters
Tosco Talkers
Nancy
Starr
