Page 35 - Voices Jun2015
P. 35
er Say Never—Reflections on Stepping Up
By Peggy Roberts, CC
My experience as a President of a Toastmasters club—I know, what is
so “exciting” about that? Well actually plenty!
In May of 2014 we were getting ready to start our election process at
Redmond Area Toastmasters. I have been a member since 2008. (Oh
my, has it been that long?) Now mind you, during that period of time I served in almost
every board function that Toastmasters offers in the club, except for (you guessed it)
Club President!
Oh how I did not want to take on that responsibility, no way, no shape, no how! Did not!
Did not! Did not! Election came down, nominations were being called upon. No one
stepped up, and all eyes were on me! I kept thinking, "Oh dear, it looks like this is it, the
time for me to step into a role I swore I would never, ever do." I accepted!
And basically here is why. I could not bear the thought of a club such as ours “going
away” and possibly not coming back. I couldn’t bear to think that we would not have a
club in our fair city to go to every week. (It was just not going to happen. You don’t
spend all these years being a part of something just to see it go away in a flash.)
I was able to do this and I did have the experience, I just didn’t really believe I could. I did
not want to let this fine group down.
Lets speed up a year later. Election coming up again, but oh my how things have
changed. We have people now that are ready to go and be a board of great magnitude!
Nominations have been made and we have a nominee for President that is going to take
this club over the top and I can’t be more excited!
We have a number of members now that we can draw from and are
willing to take on a board position. It is absolutely wonderful and I
couldn’t be happier.
As for me ending my career as President! I am so glad that I made that
decision a year ago. I learned so much and was able to come out of a
shell that had been haunting me for a long time.
Life is good and growth is amazing! Never say Never! Not never!
Peggy Roberts joined Redmond Area Toastmasters in 2004,
and as stated, has served in every club officer position.
35
By Peggy Roberts, CC
My experience as a President of a Toastmasters club—I know, what is
so “exciting” about that? Well actually plenty!
In May of 2014 we were getting ready to start our election process at
Redmond Area Toastmasters. I have been a member since 2008. (Oh
my, has it been that long?) Now mind you, during that period of time I served in almost
every board function that Toastmasters offers in the club, except for (you guessed it)
Club President!
Oh how I did not want to take on that responsibility, no way, no shape, no how! Did not!
Did not! Did not! Election came down, nominations were being called upon. No one
stepped up, and all eyes were on me! I kept thinking, "Oh dear, it looks like this is it, the
time for me to step into a role I swore I would never, ever do." I accepted!
And basically here is why. I could not bear the thought of a club such as ours “going
away” and possibly not coming back. I couldn’t bear to think that we would not have a
club in our fair city to go to every week. (It was just not going to happen. You don’t
spend all these years being a part of something just to see it go away in a flash.)
I was able to do this and I did have the experience, I just didn’t really believe I could. I did
not want to let this fine group down.
Lets speed up a year later. Election coming up again, but oh my how things have
changed. We have people now that are ready to go and be a board of great magnitude!
Nominations have been made and we have a nominee for President that is going to take
this club over the top and I can’t be more excited!
We have a number of members now that we can draw from and are
willing to take on a board position. It is absolutely wonderful and I
couldn’t be happier.
As for me ending my career as President! I am so glad that I made that
decision a year ago. I learned so much and was able to come out of a
shell that had been haunting me for a long time.
Life is good and growth is amazing! Never say Never! Not never!
Peggy Roberts joined Redmond Area Toastmasters in 2004,
and as stated, has served in every club officer position.
35
