Page 15 - 2018 September Voices

FROM THE DESK

The Power of

Mutual Support

Cate Arnold, DTM - Club Growth Director

Ken Coomes, last year’s Area 91 Director, saw his clubs’ accomplishments, apprising them of their
area become Select Distinguished. Originally, DCP status, and what they needed to do to reach
Ken only joined Toastmasters to help a friend the next level.

reach the 20 members needed to start a new In the end, it all came together. TV
club. However, he quickly saw the benefits of Toastmasters was Presidents Distinguished.
Toastmasters. He enjoyed watching people grow Sage Beaverton Toastmasters, Sporty Speakers,
and thrive. Ken jokes that one of his greatest and Beaverton Club were Select Distinguished.
personal benefits was learning to be a good Congratulations to the clubs, to Ken and Lori,
listener because it scored big points with his wife. and to the spirit of cooperation in Division H!
When he became an Area Director, he also saw
the value of learning to communicate with other
groups of people beyond his own club.

When asked what he did to help his area be
Select Distinguished, he said it only happened
because of the help from his fellow Area Directors
and his Area Assistant. Phyllis Harmon, their
Division Director, held monthly phone calls. The
directors discussed club issues and deadlines,
coordinated contests, and most importantly,

supported one another. Early in the year, Ken
was injured moving heavy objects in a storage
unit. During the next call, when he told the other
directors about his accident, they offered to help
finish his first round of club visits. He was able to
return the favor by helping with contests.
Another important aspect to Area 91’s success
was Lorri Andersen who served as Assistant
Area Director. It is always a good idea to have

an assistant. When Ken was down, she stepped
up. They had each other to keep abreast of their

VOICES! | SEPTEMBER 2018 15