Page 55 - aprl 2017 Voices

2017-18 District 7 Candidates

Office: Division F Director

Paul Fanning, ACG, ALB

Candidate for Division F Director

I have had the pleasure of being a Toastmaster since 2009. There
are several things I have observed through theyears since I joined that
I would like to basically call “my platform” as a candidate for Division
“F” Director.
First-we are communicators. We all joined Toastmasters to improve
our communication skills through public speaking-both “manual”
speeches as well as impromptu speaking. Toastmasters International
excels in promoting these much-needed skills through the various competency manuals as well
as District and Division events. Yet it is my observation that the average club, although often
award winning and communicating well within the club, does not participate or “communicate”
to their area and division leadership their needs and wants as well as not relating their successes.
We need to hear from you, and open communication to a two-way street-not just “down” to a
club, but “up” to leadership. The Area Directors are vital communication links and should be
instrumental in the communication process.
Secondly-we are evaluators. Often, I have been told the only way “is the Toastmaster Way.”
What does that mean to your club? I seriously believe that Toastmasters need to work for you,
not you for Toastmasters. It needs to meet you club member’s needs and goals. It should be
what have you been able to achieve, what goals did you want to meet, and what success have
you measured. Yes, we have the overall DCP goals, etc. But let’s take to time to evaluate our club
members and shape our club goals and objectives to meet their needs in a method that creates
success, openness and achievement from the club level up.
Thirdly-we are leaders. Every club meeting has a serious of leadership roles to fulfill. Each
club has an officer/executive committee leadership team. We need to train every Toastmaster on
the club, area and division levels as well as the District. We need to identify good “trainers” from
successful clubs that can be used to convey “real world” experience and “this is how it works for
us” at every Toastmasters Leadership training session. I would like to see multiple sessions in our
division in 2017-18 meeting those needs and if practical, hands-on and club life changing training.
Fourthly-PDX or the Downtown Division has unique challenges with three clubs meeting in one
building and the need for new members. I would love to explore with a development team some
suggestions and methods for recruiting new members and exposing the public to Toastmasters
through dedicated events, increased awareness and even better visibility in the downtown area.
Lofty goals-of course. Are they a challenge-no doubt. But I honestly believe that with a great
area director leadership team, and club involvement in area councils these can be achieved-and
we all can and will be successful Toastmasters, winners and achievers in 2017-18.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 10 APRIL, 2017 55