Page 4 - Voices.May.2016

EDITORIAL Publisher

It’s All About Family Phyllis Harmon, DTM

by Phyllis A. Harmon, DTM Associate Publisher
Immediate Past District Governor
Brenda Parsons, ACB, ALS
The countdown’s begun. As another Toastmasters year
rolls to a close, members are reminded of promises made Senior Editor
offhandedly earlier in the year to submit completed manuals
so their clubs can achieve year-end goals. Phyllis Harmon, DTM

I wonder what would happen if we all followed the example Associate Editors
of clubs like Toastmasters for Speaking Professionals, Capital
Toastmasters, and others who completed club goals by the Leanna Lindquist, DTM
end of January? What are they doing differently? Why are Erik Bergman, DTM
they always the frontrunners in the race to distinguished? Alexis Mason, DTM
Why is it that their visitor to member conversion rates are
higher than most (which seems to be the tipping point for Layout/Design
many clubs)?
Phyllis Harmon, DTM
I’m a member of Toastmasters for Speaking Professionals, Curtis Low
a club that’s celebrating it’s 5th charter anniversary and it’s
fourth year as President’s Distinguished. Here’s the secret to 2015-16 Officers
our success: we genuinely care about each other. That’s it.
Easy Peasey. We’ve formed our own tribe. District Director

The tribe culture is one of caring and sharing, helping Michelle Alba Lim, DTM
each other to become the people we were meant to be. Our
arms and hearts are open to everyone who wants to join us Program Quality Director
and share our culture.
Leanna Lindquist, DTM
I think it’s the continual caring and checking in with
each other that’s made the difference. Personal calls, coffee Club Growth Director
klatches, and connecting socially and professionally outside
the club have allowed us to form bonds of friendship that Erik Bergman, DTM
will last indefinitely. We discuss what’s happening in our
lives, celebrate each other’s successes, and then mentor and Finance Manager
coach each other through the quagmires of life.
Jill Ward, ACB, ALB
In marketing there is an adage that you must “touch” your
potential customer seven times before a sale is finalized. We Administrative Manager
do that! I think it’s one of the reasons this club is so successful
and completes goals long before the rest of the world. We Tom Knapp, ACG, ALB
are never more than a phone call or personal touch away
from each other. In a nutshell, we are family—and a family Public Relations Manager
that loves, laughs, and learns together will always trump one
who does not. Becky Holm

Voices! is published monthly by
District 7 Toastmasters. First issue
published August 2014. Submit
articles via email at voices@
d7toastmasters.org

4 Volume 2 Issue 11 - MAY 2016