Page 2 - February 2017 Voices

EDITORIAL Publisher How to Rock It Like a TED Talk

Open-Your-Heart Month Phyllis Harmon, DTM

by Phyllis A. Harmon, DTM Associate Publisher
Editor/Publisher Brenda Parsons, ACS, ALS

We all know that February, in modern times, is Senior Editor

the month we gush over the loves in our lives. Candy, Phyllis Harmon, DTM
flowers, and expensive gifts make a girl’s heart flutter.
And we girls, just to even the score, give our significant Associate Editors
others the opportunity to take us out to dinner and Leanna Lindquist, DTM

spoil us rotten. What a deal! Donna Stark, DTM
But it wasn’t always that way. For the ancient John Rodke, DTM
Romans, February had an entirely different meaning. Layout/Design
It was the month of ritual purification, or Februa. It
was also the month when the priest Valentinus got his Phyllis Harmon, DTM

comeuppance for performing Christian marriages Curtis Low
against the wishes of Emperor Claudius II. Not a smart 2016-17 Officers
move on Valentinus’ part. He lost his heart and his District Director
head on February 14th for displeasing the emperor. Leanna Lindquist, DTM

I think it’s time to put February in perspective, to
give it a new meaning. Candy, flowers, and expensive Program Quality Director
gifts are fine, but really? And nobody loses their head Donna Stark, DTM
for performing marriages any more, do they? Club Growth Director
What if we designate February as open-your-heart John Rodke, DTM

month by sponsoring new members into our clubs? It Finance Manager
costs a lot less than perishables and high ticket gifts, Jill Ward, ACB, ALB
and our return on investment will last longer than a
kiss or two. Or donate the cost of that dinner to the Administrative Manager

District 7 Prison Fund which helps inmates pay their Rodger Cook, ACB, ALB
dues. Our hearts will expand instead of our waistlines!
Think about it—we Toastmasters are known for Public Relations Manager
Phyllis Harmon, DTM
our generous spirits. Let’s leverage our well-deserved
reputations to become known as Toastmasters who Voices! is published monthly by

open our hearts to help a fellow member in need. District 7 Toastmasters. First issue
published August 2014. Submit
Wishing you a happy open-your-heart month. May articles or contact contributors at
your month be filled with moments of generosity. voices@d7toastmasters.org

2 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 8 FEBRUARY, 2017