Page 22 - 2017.May Voices

How Toastmasters Can Help Creative Types

by Connie Smith, ACB, CL

Creative people are busy people, in or out side I enjoy Toastmasters and appreciate the
of meetings. We may be artists, web or interior skills I have learned throughout my 10 years
designers, or teach others to tap their creative of membership at Clackamas Stepping Stones.
side. Toastmasters learn to lead members of Catch us on our website and stop in for a friendly,
other organizations to make their meetings more creative meeting. We meet on Thursday evenings
focused and efficient. from 6:30 to 8pm at the Milwaukie Lutheran
Attending Toastmasters club and Church on Lake Road. We would love to meet
training meetings are wonderful networking you.
opportunities. Many members are business or Be creative every day!
community leaders with information about ways
to build a creative person’s exposure and career
advancement. Members may have contacts with
gallery owners, public art committee
members or in the market for art for
their homes.
Why do I devote time every week to
Toastmasters? I have found it connects
me with friends working to improve
themselves. The other club members
inspire me with new
ideas or ways of
looking at the world.
Also, have you
heard of the “lonely
artist”, struggling to
be creative every
day? Sometimes art
is a lonely endeavor.
We creatives need
to improve our
confidence. We
need to shut out the
negative self-talk
we all experience. For me, Toastmasters helps
me to recognize and diminish my inherent
procrastination skills.
When I am not attending Toastmasters or
helping District 7 with the food and beverages
provided at Toastmasters Leadership Institute, I
try to be creative every day. I enjoy several types
of embroidery, including three-dimensional,
Brazilian embroidery. I paint oil portraits of
clients and family members. I also make baby
quilts and lap robes to donate to the Portland
VA and Doernbecher Children’s Hospitals. I
make soft dolls and Father Christmas dolls with
porcelain heads and hands.

22 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 11 MAY, 2017