Page 15 - August 2017 Voices

JOURNEYS

Speaker & Singer—Russell Pike!

by Brinn Hemmingson, ACG, CL

Sometimes we come to Toastmasters via a carries me past where things get in my way.” He
recommendation—and in Russell’s case, his has seen his skills in leadership, listening and
father was the one who suggested it. Russell was socializing improve since he joined Toastmasters.
shy, involved in one main social group which He likes to see
was a choir. And as one might suspect, he did what gets the brain
not join. Not then, anyway! engaged, to ask
It was Cleon Cox and his JobFinders Support questions that get
Group that sealed the decision for Russell. He people involved
realized he could speak more succinctly, and it and responding to
certainly helped with interviews! Russell said, “I dialogue. And those
never lost at an interview due to speaking, because of us who know
I presented well. And I credit Toastmasters for him enjoy what we
that. If I did not get the job, it was because the call the “Russell
other person was more qualified.” lion gaze.”
Russell initially joined two clubs; Portland Russell has been
Progressives and TV Toastmasters. TV in Toastmasters for
Toastmasters was an advanced club, but due 9 years. He has participated in some contests. He
to Russell’s work founding a Resume Club and has held officer roles including President.
his leadership skills, they took him anyway! Russell is an accomplished singer. He credits
Russell’s lectures on resumes were polished by Toastmasters for “dramatically improving” his
his involvement in Toastmasters. For Russell, voice. A music teacher believed he could sing,
socializing can be work, and certainly his and “. . . singing is speech slowed down, inflected,
involvement with Toastmasters has helped him and made rhythmic.”
in that area. As for what he’d say to people to get them
Russell said, “Toastmasters gives me courage. involved with Toastmasters that was fairly simple.
I am confident speaking to groups about autism. “If you want to speak better, listen and lead, join
It helps me in my Autistic Support Group. It Toastmasters. And if not, join something else.”

Music is the greatest communication in the

world. Even if people don’t understand the

language that you’re singing in, they still

know good music when they hear it.

—Lou Rawls

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 2 AUGUST, 2017 15