Page 3 - Voices March 2018

March Rankings

Phyllis A. Harmon, DTM - Editor/Publisher

I confess that every March, for the past 10 years, I’ve checked my club’s
Distinguished Club ranking against the other clubs in the District. It’s always
with great trepidation that I study the Toastmasters dashboard. Are we
good enough? Do we measure up? Most years, the answer is a resounding
yes! Other years? Well, not so much.
I keep asking myself why I do I worry and stew about it? Logically, if I have
a good time, learn something new, and walk away from each meeting satisfied
with the world—what difference does achieving President’s Distinguished
status really make?
I readily admit bragging rights matter. It makes me proud to be part of a
club that cares about reaching their goals. Intellectually I know that becoming
a Distinguished Club or better helps the area, division, and District attain
their goals—but that’s a side benefit.
I’m focused on my club and what happens when we work as a team—
each person contributing to the end result. It’s heady stuff! There is a
connectedness among us when we pull in the same direction. Each does
their part and encourages and prods the rest of us to do the same. We
commit to achieving the agreed upon results. And at the end of the year, EDITORIAL
when we review the work we’ve done together, we stand taller basking in
the satisfaction of a job well done.
That’s why each March I look at the dashboard and compare my club with
all others. I want to be part of a community of like-minded souls striving in
the same direction, helping each other during the lag times when no one
seems to be moving forward, and at the end of the year looking back on
what we’ve achieved together. Satisfaction, bragging rights, and a sense
that all is well in my Toastmasters world keeps me coming back week after
week, year after year.

Volume 4 Issue 8 February 2018 Monthly Columnists 2017-18 Officers Administrative Manager
Publisher Donna Stark, DTM District Director Crystal Pugh, ACB, ALB
Phyllis Harmon, DTM John Rodke, DTM Donna Stark, DTM
Emilie Taylor, DTM Public Relations Manager
Associate Publisher Leanna Lindquist, DTM Program Quality Director James Wantz, DTM
Brenda Parsons, ACS, ALS Terry Beard John Rodke, DTM
Brinn Hemmingson, ACG, CL Voices! is published monthly by District 7
Senior Editor Harvey Schowe, DTM Club Growth Director Toastmasters. First issue published August
Phyllis Harmon, DTM Emilie Taylor, DTM 2014. Submit articles or contact us at
James Wantz, DTM voices@d7toastmasters.org
Associate Editor Future Stars Gavel Club Finance Manager
Leanna Lindquist, DTM Lee Coyne, ATMS Karen Sempervivo, DTM

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