Page 18 - 2017.May Voices

JOURNEYS

Scott Stevenson – Success is

Available Through Toastmasters

by Brinn Hemmingson, ACG, CL

Scott had one of the best reasons for joining that gives back far more than what you put into
Toastmasters that I’ve encountered so far. He it. Whatever communication and leadership
said, “I became involved when I discovered that challenges you are currently facing, Toastmasters
my new job required me to stand before the CEO can provide solutions to help you work through
and his staff each week to deliver the status on those challenges. If you want to succeed, you will
my projects. This happened in August 1997.” succeed—all you need to do is to participate.”
Several Toastmasters I know joined clubs
when the need arose at work. But speaking in Scott is an encouraging and supportive
front of the CEO each week—yikes! Double yikes! person. He has seen how Toastmasters assisted
As to the various clubs and officer roles he him in his career and how it helped him continue
has held; the short answer is—many! Scott has working for many years, and now focuses on
filled all club officer roles multiple times in many helping others do the same.
clubs; (Mentors of Focus, Marylhurst, and Civil
Tongues, just to name a few). At the district level,
he has been Area Governor (3 times), Division
Governor, Lt. Governor of Education & Training,
and District Governor. I think Scott and I would
agree—we might need a 12-step recovery for our
Toastmaster addiction!
Scott has participated in contests as well. He
has won area contests for Humor, Table Topics
and Evaluations. He says that contests really are
not his “forte”, but has been known to compete
just for fun.
Toastmasters has helped Scott primarily in
his career. He said, “I was ready to quit my job
in 1997, but through my growth in Toastmasters
I stayed at that company for 14 more years.”
I asked Scott what he would say to encourage
others to join TM. He indicated, “It is a self-
paced and supportive learning environment

The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not

creating them in your own image, but giving them the

opportunity to create themselves.

Steven Spielberg

18 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 11 MAY, 2017