Page 5 - 8.2016 Voices
P. 5
Through the Camera Lens
Toastmasters Convention Highlights
by Phyllis Harmon, DTM - Public Relations Manager
Washington, DC—Twenty-five hundred D7 District Director, carried
voices and the beat of Fire on the Mountain from the Ukraine flag in honor of
the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, ricocheting Marylhurst club member, Olya Kovnatska.
off the walls, greeted attendees at the opening
ceremonies Wednesday night, August 18, 2016, We laughed over the antics of the Water Coolers,
in the Marriott Marquis Ballroom. People a comedy troupe from New York, who kept us
clogging the aisles searching for fellow club entertained using songs and sketch comedy to
members and friends from across the globe illustrate the pitfalls of daily life and how to over-
added to the rising tension and anticipation come fear. They ended their act with a parody of
of what was soon to come. We are The Champions, by Queen.
The evening began when Mark Brown, 1994
International Speech Champion, announced
the 142 countries, which make up the
Toastmasters International global network, as
District Directors from around the world bore
Keynote Ed Tate, 2000 International Speech
Champion, urged attendees to embrace change
and uncertainty using leadership and influence
Leanna Lindquist carries the Ukraine flag while Phyllis to achieve results.
Harmon snaps pictures from the side. Over the next four days, attendees were enter-
flags to the stage. People in native costumes tained, learned valuable lessons, and elected the
dotted the stage as the flag bearers took their International Board of Directors. Golden Gavel
places before the audience. Leanna Lindquist, award winner Tony Buzan, inventor of mind
mapping, reminded us of the infinite capabilities
of the mind. Kelly Swanson, award winning story-
teller, demonstrated the art of storytelling using
personal stories and vulnerability.
The convention reminds me we are more the same then we are different. When you are a Toastmaster you
have friends all around the world.—Leanna Lindquist, DTM
Volume 3 Issue 2 - AUGUST 2016 5
