Page 29 - voicesdec2014
P. 29
edom through Communication
By Ray Fox, ACS, ALB
For many years of my life, the only emotion I felt getting closely involved with at-risk youth.
was anger. I was the Public Relations man for the
Lifers Club at Oregon State Penitentiary for 10 Sharing my story in Toastmasters one night, I met
years and had to try to communicate with people
but could not, unless you were another inmate. a young man named Travis. He had come a time
My communications or two just to see what it was all about. In one of
skills were non-
existent. Because of my speeches talking about working with at-risk
this, I would feel the
need to lash out and youth, something I said resonated with this
fight. Couple anger
with not knowing young man and inspired him to want to help the
how to talk, every
chance I got to see youth of today as well. I’ve lived their experience
the Parole Board I was
denied and my sentence was extended two more and realized to reach them it is all about straight
years. This happened six or seven times. I started
to think that I would never go home. talk, not scaring straight! You can NOT scare
But in September 2012, due mainly to anyone into doing something right, it will only
Toastmasters, I became more aware of myself and
garnered communication skills to where I was make them rebel even more. If you are real with
able to effectively share what was in my heart
with the Parole Board…the people who could them and show them that you know what they
give me my life back!
feel and have lived, you can connect with them.
That year, I was granted a release date and could
go home! To go from hearing “No, bring us two Communicating with
more years” for so many long, stress-filled years
to finally, one day getting a “Yes” was the most I owe them will convey a
amazing feeling I have ever felt. Knowing I have stronger message.
finally done it by putting in the hard work, I
achieved something I never thought would my life to Encourage them to
happen. change by showing
I owe my life to Toastmasters for giving me a Toastmasters them what most of
chance to learn and grow. I have become a them h aven ’t
leader and received many tools that give me the
ability to share my story, while reaching out to experienced: that you
others to help them share theirs. The fear I once
had about going home started to dissipate. Now care.
I look forward to getting out and continuing on
with Toastmasters as a BIG part of my life, and In this last year as president of Rose City Toasters,
I’ve led by example by earning four awards in a
year’s time. I hope to show if you want it bad
enough, you can do whatever you want. As long
as you put your mind to it, you will make it
happen.
Ray Fox is an inmate at the Columbia River
Correctional Institution. He has served as the
Rose City Toasters Club President
(January 2013 – June 2014)
and is the
current
Area 53
Governor.
29
By Ray Fox, ACS, ALB
For many years of my life, the only emotion I felt getting closely involved with at-risk youth.
was anger. I was the Public Relations man for the
Lifers Club at Oregon State Penitentiary for 10 Sharing my story in Toastmasters one night, I met
years and had to try to communicate with people
but could not, unless you were another inmate. a young man named Travis. He had come a time
My communications or two just to see what it was all about. In one of
skills were non-
existent. Because of my speeches talking about working with at-risk
this, I would feel the
need to lash out and youth, something I said resonated with this
fight. Couple anger
with not knowing young man and inspired him to want to help the
how to talk, every
chance I got to see youth of today as well. I’ve lived their experience
the Parole Board I was
denied and my sentence was extended two more and realized to reach them it is all about straight
years. This happened six or seven times. I started
to think that I would never go home. talk, not scaring straight! You can NOT scare
But in September 2012, due mainly to anyone into doing something right, it will only
Toastmasters, I became more aware of myself and
garnered communication skills to where I was make them rebel even more. If you are real with
able to effectively share what was in my heart
with the Parole Board…the people who could them and show them that you know what they
give me my life back!
feel and have lived, you can connect with them.
That year, I was granted a release date and could
go home! To go from hearing “No, bring us two Communicating with
more years” for so many long, stress-filled years
to finally, one day getting a “Yes” was the most I owe them will convey a
amazing feeling I have ever felt. Knowing I have stronger message.
finally done it by putting in the hard work, I
achieved something I never thought would my life to Encourage them to
happen. change by showing
I owe my life to Toastmasters for giving me a Toastmasters them what most of
chance to learn and grow. I have become a them h aven ’t
leader and received many tools that give me the
ability to share my story, while reaching out to experienced: that you
others to help them share theirs. The fear I once
had about going home started to dissipate. Now care.
I look forward to getting out and continuing on
with Toastmasters as a BIG part of my life, and In this last year as president of Rose City Toasters,
I’ve led by example by earning four awards in a
year’s time. I hope to show if you want it bad
enough, you can do whatever you want. As long
as you put your mind to it, you will make it
happen.
Ray Fox is an inmate at the Columbia River
Correctional Institution. He has served as the
Rose City Toasters Club President
(January 2013 – June 2014)
and is the
current
Area 53
Governor.
29
