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Afternoon with Paul Buchanan
By Salina Christaria
Earlier this year, I received a phone call
from a veteran Toastmaster named Paul
Buchanan who wanted to connect with
a local . He joined Toastmasters in 1957
and had been very active in the Los
Angeles area for 24 years, before
retiring to the Rogue Valley where he
continued as an active member from
1992-2004. Not wanting to let go of
something that had been such a big
part of his life, he was hoping to pass
on his wealth of experience to the next generation. Intrigued, I spent a wonderful
Sunday afternoon with him listening to his story.
Paul credits Toastmasters with taking him from being a very shy young man to a
competent communicator and leader. Over the years he has won many speech contests,
served in numerous offices, helped charter new
clubs, and played a part in breaking down gender
and racial barriers. But most importantly, Paul
remembers how much fun he had with his fellow
members!
Since Paul is 88 years old now and doesn’t get out
very often, I introduced him to our club by giving a
speech titled, An Afternoon with Paul. I shared his
story and showed off some of his
beloved Toastmasters treasures that he had graciously loaned to me,
among them being an award signed by none other than Ralph Smedley,
the founder of Toastmasters! Paul knew Mr. Smedley and said that he was
like a calm father figure to many members. “It was a real privilege to be
around him,” he remembers.
Inspired by being embraced by our club, Paul made the
effort to attend a meeting in April. He was thrilled by the
warm welcome he received and by winning BEST TABLE
TOPIC! When an announcement was made that we
24
By Salina Christaria
Earlier this year, I received a phone call
from a veteran Toastmaster named Paul
Buchanan who wanted to connect with
a local . He joined Toastmasters in 1957
and had been very active in the Los
Angeles area for 24 years, before
retiring to the Rogue Valley where he
continued as an active member from
1992-2004. Not wanting to let go of
something that had been such a big
part of his life, he was hoping to pass
on his wealth of experience to the next generation. Intrigued, I spent a wonderful
Sunday afternoon with him listening to his story.
Paul credits Toastmasters with taking him from being a very shy young man to a
competent communicator and leader. Over the years he has won many speech contests,
served in numerous offices, helped charter new
clubs, and played a part in breaking down gender
and racial barriers. But most importantly, Paul
remembers how much fun he had with his fellow
members!
Since Paul is 88 years old now and doesn’t get out
very often, I introduced him to our club by giving a
speech titled, An Afternoon with Paul. I shared his
story and showed off some of his
beloved Toastmasters treasures that he had graciously loaned to me,
among them being an award signed by none other than Ralph Smedley,
the founder of Toastmasters! Paul knew Mr. Smedley and said that he was
like a calm father figure to many members. “It was a real privilege to be
around him,” he remembers.
Inspired by being embraced by our club, Paul made the
effort to attend a meeting in April. He was thrilled by the
warm welcome he received and by winning BEST TABLE
TOPIC! When an announcement was made that we
24
