Page 52 - Voices March 2017

Rose City Toasters – Looking
for Distinguishing Members
by Dawnette Hale, ACS, ALB
“H ello
F ello w
Toastmasters
and Guests” is
something we
hear often; it
is the timeless phrase that begins many of our
meetings and speeches. When I hear this, my
attention is captured and my mind shifts into
learning mode—receptive, listening, and ready to
support growth and achievement. It also causes
me to double check and make sure I know all the
guests at the meeting.
As I have learned from Toastmasters,
welcoming guests is an important part of club
success. Another key to club success is asking
our guests if they are ready to become members.
Many times our guests are waiting to be asked;
they are ready to become a member, and ready to
say “Yes”. You might have guessed from the title
that I want you to join me as a member of Rose
City Toasters. You are right!
Let me tell a bit about the club and the potential
benefits for you, for the club, and for our awesome
District 7. Then you can decide if this is something
that might be inspiring, transformative, and worth
your very valuable time and money.
Club Information
Rose City Toasters is one of the prison clubs in
District 7. The club is located at Columbia River
Correctional Institution (CRCI) in north Portland,
near Marine Drive and the airport. CRCI is a
facility for inmates with less than three years to
serve and for those preparing to transition out of
the prison system. The Club has achieved 6 of the
10 Distinguished Club Program (DCP) goals to
date for 2016-2017. Recent history for DCP goal
accomplishments include: 2016 - 7 goals; 2015
- 9 goals; and 2014 - 8 goals. Rose City Toasters
achieved Distinguished status three times over
the last 10 years. The only reason they have
not achieved Distinguished status every year is
membership. This is where you can make a big
52
difference —more on this later.
Some of the recent accomplishments and
awards include a DTM for Jason Kent. Jason
is an accomplished engineer who volunteers
with the club. His commitment to the inmates’
success in Toastmasters has helped the members
develop positive, successful communication and
leadership skills. In addition to the efforts and
accomplishment of DTM, the club has completed
two Competent Communcators, one Competent
Leader, and one Advanced Leader Silver. Club
members make consistent efforts to become
better speakers and leaders and represent
Toastmasters well.
The club members are focused, accomplishing
goals, and clear on the value of Toastmasters.
I am very proud of them. They are inspiring.
It warms my heart when I see the changes in
their confidence and skills. The work they are
doing has a direct correlation on their abilities
to make better choices and create better futures
for themselves, their families, and service in our
communities.
Personal Benefits
If you decide to become a member of the
Rose City Toasters, the potential personal
benefits are numerous and include becoming
an advocate, community building, supporting
needed transformation, and increasing your
speaking and leadership skills.
Advocate—many people within CRCI have
not had positive role models of behavior and
communication. It is a stretch to join the club and
begin the deeper work for looking at patterns and
beliefs that are limiting. You can be an example of
a supportive person who believes in Toastmasters
as a way to grow and change our lives.
Community building—when the members
of Rose City Toasters leave with skills in
communication and leadership, they add to
the value of our communities, rather than
take and struggle. They may have learned how
to contribute to the success of others for the
first time in Toastmasters. When you become
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 9 MARCH, 2017