Page 10 - Voices.June.2016final
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FROM THE DESK
Highlights and Challenges of My Year a
by Erik Bergman, DTM, Club Growth Director
As my year as Club I have a long list of people to thank. No one
Growth Director winds can take on a trio officer role alone – far from it.
down, I’m taking stock of the highlights and what
I learned from my service as a member of the To my trio colleagues Michelle Alba-Lim
District 7 trio. and Leanna Lindquist, thank you for the shared
In August, at the International Convention in adventures, the ups and downs, and all we
Las Vegas, I felt in awe of the worldwide reach accomplished together. To Phyllis Harmon,
of Toastmasters. Whether we wear kimonos, thank you for your excellence at editing Voices!
turbans or business casual, we share a bond across and your timely advice on so many subjects.
cultures and continents that is truly powerful.
A peak experience was to take to the stage with To Rodger Cook, new club coordinator, and
others from across D7 holding the banner Allison Bennett, club coach coordinator, I offer
proclaiming D7 as a Distinguished District. That’s my special thanks. You both brought energy, skill
a great feeling! and dedication to your roles and provided such
In January, midyear training brought another valuable help whenever I needed it.
trip to Las Vegas for a chance to reconnect with
colleagues from up and down the West Coast. So many others deserve special mention,
We learned from each other and brought home starting with every one of you who helped start
new skills to address the needs of our districts. a new club. Cleon Cox, tireless creator of new
In May, the visit of 1st Vice President Balraj clubs, I salute you! You are such an asset. To all
Arunasalam gave me a chance to learn firsthand the club sponsors, club mentors and charter
from an expert club builder and promoter. It members, cheers to you! You have helped bring
was a once-in-a-lifetime experience I will never something new and great to our District. To all
forget. I loved helping hand out corporate who are still working on getting a new club to
recognition awards from TI to Nike and US Bank. charter status, please keep at it, because it will
Along the way, I felt the highs of each new be worth the effort.
club we chartered and the lows when a struggling
club called it quits. This year brought challenges, For me the time is right to step back and
to be sure. To keep it fun, I’ll offer this list of the become a club officer once more. I went out of
surprising ways my life changed as Club Growth my comfort zone to serve the District. I tried
Director: something I’d never done before, even though
• My home office became a mailing and it scared me a lot. I’ve learned that what I love
shipping center. about Toastmasters is working with members
• My car was jammed with Toastmasters rather than email and budgets. I love hearing
banners, signs and brochures. your stories. I love seeing your speech contest
• My garage was taken over by cardboard performances. I hope to meet many more of
boxes of supplies. you at club meetings, TLI and contests in the
• The printing staff at Office Max became years ahead.
my BFFs.
• I needed a shovel to empty my email One of my final duties will be to ensure a
inbox. smooth transition for incoming Club Growth
Director Cathy French. She deserves everyone’s
support as she seeks to build new clubs and
support all clubs in achieving excellence. Please
join me in wishing Cathy the best of luck – and
pledge to help her when she asks!
10 Volume 2 Issue 12 - JUNE 2016
