Page 26 - Voices November 2016

JOURNEYS

The Journey from “No” to Program

Quality Director – Donna Stark

by Brinn Hemmingson, ACG, CL

Donna says, “I didn’t seek out Toastmasters. I into all aspects of life. I’m a better supervisor,
wouldn’t have had the nerve. A coworker wanted coworker, and direct report at work because of the
to start a new club and invited me to a demon- confidence I have in my ability to communicate,
stration meeting. to facilitate meetings, and to give and
With healthy doses receive feedback.”
of persuasion and “Scott Stevenson kept nagging (I
peer pressure, she mean, encouraging) me to complete the
and other organizers requirements for my DTM in time for the
made it easier to 2010 Spring Conference. He’s at it again,
join than it would and I imagine DTM #2 is in my future.”
have been not to What Donna enjoys most about
join, and I became a Toastmasters is
charter member of seeing the growth
Downtown Public that happens within
Speakers in Eugene. individuals who
I will be forever L to R: Donna Stark, Craig join. “Watching a
grateful that she Valentine - 2016 Spring new Toastie from
didn’t take “no” for Conference the time they
an answer. tentatively walk
The club started meeting in the fall of in as a guest, to
2003, and we chartered in January, 2004. the point they are
I guess that’s 13 years. It was during Allan confidently filling
Edinger’s term as District Governor.” meeting roles and
Downtown Public Speakers is Donna’s L to R: Cathy French, Donna Stark, Leanna mentoring other
Lindquist - Spring TLI 2016
home club for the weekly program experi- new members, is
ence. She’s also a member of Competitive to me the heart and
Speakers PDX, making the 200-mile round soul of this program. The power of Toastmasters
trip on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month. is in the success of the individual member.”
She says, “I’ve held most club officer roles, with
the exception of Treasurer. I’ve been an Area
Governor, Division Governor, Division Director,
and am currently the District Program Quality “Most people miss
Director. (PQD... I was trained that the emphasis
is on the Q!)” Opportunity because it is
Out in the “real” world, one of the unexpected
benefits is how Donna’s written communication dressed in overalls and
has improved as a result of Toastmasters. Emails,
letters, and reports are much more concise and looks like work.”
well-organized. “ I do a fair amount of writing
in my job so this has been a welcome bonus.” Thomas A. Edison
“One of the great things about Toastmasters
is the confidence one gains, that carries over

26 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 5 NOVEMBER, 2016 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 5 NOVEMBER, 2016