Page 12 - October 2017 Voices

JOURNEYS

Susan Bender Phelps:

Professional Speaker

by Brinn Hemmingson, ACG, CL

I was fortunate enough to catch Susan in throughout the
action as she presented to the East Portland U.S. to prepare
Chamber. Having crossed paths numerous times, them to shine
it was fate that she would be this month’s Voices! when they deliver
subject! high-stakes sales
Susan lived in New Mexico which is where presentations,
she first became acquainted with Toastmasters. keynotes, appear
She recruited mentors for a youth-mentoring on television, or
program she co-founded and led for more than
15 years. When she moved to Oregon and became be interviewed
a speaker, she was asked to present at the District for podcasts and
7 conference (some 8 years ago). Susan had radio. I present
completed the Nationals Speakers Association new ideas and
– Oregon program shortly before that. concepts to
Susan is a charter member of Toastmasters leaders in their organizations. Again,
for Speaking Professionals. She served as the Toastmasters has helped me hone my skills.”
Club President last year and Treasurer this year. Susan said, “I recommend Toastmasters to
She has been a guest speaker at numerous clubs, speakers and trainers throughout the country.
and particularly likes Feedbackers in Beaverton And, I’ve made some really good friends
for the useful evaluations they give! She also through my membership in Toastmasters for
was asked to be a target speaker at a District Speaking Professionals. The speeches given in
Evaluation Contest (two years before she joined our club are always inspiring. Being able to hear
Toastmasters) and had never been timed before professional speakers and aspiring professionals
nor did she know about the lights. Needless to share their dreams, their work, their personal
say she went over time!! However, with all this stories touches me so deeply.”
experience, she won 1st place for Evaluations at Susan was selected by Deveny Bywaters, past
the 2013 District Conference. District Governor, to be a speaker at a 2009
“The first two years I was in the club I was District 7 Conference
chair of the Washington County Democratic after seeing her present
Party,” she shared. “Being a Toastmaster taught at a State of Oregon
me how to run a meeting. I led a monthly Speakers Showcase. She
Executive Committee meeting with officers is a speaker, author,
and 12 committee chairs. I also led a monthly mentor, and coach. You
Central Committee Meeting, usually with 100 can learn more about
or more attendees. Without my Toastmaster Susan, her presemtations
training, I would have struggled to start and end and training programs,
on time, deal with contentious issues, and keep and book on her website.
the meeting flowing and interesting. {editor]
Finally, I coach speakers and presenters

12 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4 OCTOBER, 2017