Page 22 - Voices 6.2017

D7 Toastmasters Takes

to the Airwaves

by Lorna Dobberstein, ACB, CL

Toastmasters the best of both worlds for me. I was representing
(Milwaukie Talkies) an organization that empowers people to be
is an incremental effective communicators with an advertising
part of my personal medium that is superior in delivering effective
and professional communication. We put together a campaign
life. The growth that included running on four Portland radio
I’ve experienced in stations. Phyllis secured five local Toastmasters,
both my speaking and presentation skills have varying from brand new to seasoned veterans,
been amazing. The ability to think on my feet to be involved in recording the commercials.
and clearly articulate a message is vital in this Each one presented a short testimonial about
day and age. My Toastmasters club has afforded Toastmasters and the impact it’s had on their
me the opportunity to receive feedback and life. These fellow Toastmasters were fabulous,
input on what and how I am presenting. It’s a and I can safely say it was a great experience for
great place to celebrate my success, but more everyone involved. The campaign is running for
importantly it’s a safe place for me to fail and 3 weeks (June 12th to July 2nd, 2017). Several
still be supported. clubs have already welcomed visitors as a result
Just like the Toastmasters organization, I am of this advertising, and we’re very excited to see
a firm believer in the power of the spoken word; this success continue.
after all, my job depends on it! I am a Senior Thank you for trusting me and our stations
Account Manager at News Talk 860 KPAM and as part of the representation of this incredible
Sunny 1550 Radio. It’s my job to help clients organization.
craft and present the right message in order to
attract new business. I’m also responsible for
seeking out new prospective advertisers. The radio campaign began
Toastmasters has helped me so much in with a phone call in May, 2017
this area. I now do presentations to groups from District Director Leanna
on the power of auditory advertising, I’ve led Lindquist. “We need to boost
seminars on creating tag lines and the power of membership in June to end
the spoken word, plus I’ve given last minute ‘off the year strong. I want you
the cuff’ presentations when the opportunities
arise. None of this would have been possible to look into getting us on the
without the support and encouragement of my radio.”
Toastmasters Club. Phyllis Harmon Yikes—another growth
I’ve worked in radio advertising for years (9+ opportunity smacked me in
years with KPAM) and I love it! Knowing that the face. After much gulping, hand wringing,
I’ve helped a business to grow is a high like no and research, I realized I couldn’t effectively
other! You can only imagine how excited I was negotiate with radio stations on my own.
when Phyllis Harmon, District 7 Public Relations The web is full of dire warnings for the
Manager, approached me about working on a newbie who approaches radio account managers
radio campaign for District 7 Toastmasters. It was on their own. Apparently, there are a lot of
hungry people out there just waiting to take a
bite out of the District’s marketing budget. My
challenge was to find a way to fulfill the District
Director’s request and, at the same time, be a
good steward of District funds.
I did what I always do when faced with
this type of dilemma. I searched LinkedIn for

22 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 12 JUNE, 2017