Page 10 - Voices Feb 2018

JUST SAYIN . . .

Go for TV Toastmasters

the Gold!

Donna Stark, DTM District Director

I’ve waited four years! Figure skating, luge,
bobsled, speed skating, ski jumping, curling…
the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat. The

Winter Olympics is back and it’s must-see
TV for me!
What does the Winter Olympics have to
do with Toastmasters? There are plenty of

parallels. Like the Olympics, Toastmasters
is an international experience. Teams from leaders. Our “team sport” is the Distinguished
92 countries around the world are currently Club program.
competing at the Winter Olympics in South Bronze, silver, and gold medals… Pathways

Korea. There are over 16,000 Toastmasters Levels, Advanced Communicators, DTMs.
clubs in 141 countries. Olympic athletes gather It can be an emotional experience watching
through the bond of their sport. Toastmasters athletes on the podium during an Olympic
gather through the bond of this organization medal ceremony… not unlike watching your

we’re all part of. If you get an opportunity to district’s International Speech Contestant being
attend a Toastmasters International Convention, awarded a trophy on the International stage. If
you’ll understand what I’m talking about. With you’re keeping track of the medal count, two
the magic of technology, there are clubs here World Champions of Public Speaking have

in District 7 that have members from not only been from District 7 – Randy Harvey in 2004
outside D7’s geographical boundaries, but and Ryan Avery in 2012.
outside of the United States! The media has learned what a Toastmaster
The Olympics has individual events and team already knows… a good story adds impact.

sports. Olympic athletes train for success in The personal stories behind the athletic
their sport. They practice, and fall, learn from performances can be very powerful. We’ll never
failures, and soar. A Toastmasters club is like a forget the Jamaican bobsled team!
team, with teammates and coaches providing Toastmasters is “Where Leaders are Made.”

support and encouragement. Let’s face it… some Make the most of the opportunities the program
of our presentations will be better than others. provides and start training for your next gold
We can take the feedback we get in our club, medal performance. Who’s up for a party at the
learn from it, and ultimately soar as speakers and Curling Club in Beaverton? Just sayin’.

10 ONE COMMUNITY