Page 3 - voices.10.2018

Not Doing It . . .

Phyllis A. Harmon, DTM

Editor/Publisher

There’s a lot of concern about membership numbers this month. Not that
there isn’t always a bit of angst as the renewal reports roll out each October.
It’s kind of scary to think about the reasons members disappear into the fog
never to return. I always wonder was it something I said? Didn’t say? Did?
Didn’t do?
Well here’s a thought . . . perhaps the drop in membership had nothing
to do with me. Perhaps people just moved on once they got what they came
for. Or perhaps circumstances beyond my control impacted their decisions.
What if . . . what if . . . I ddn’t have to take responsibility for other people’s
decisions? What a novel concept!
Some pundits suggest that club leadership should pursue members who
are intent on slipping out the door. That they should chase them down and
plead with them to stay. Doesn’t that srike you as a bit desperate? Maybe
even slightly demeaning?
I love the quote by Kahlil Gibran: If you love somebody, let them go, for if they
return, they were always yours. And if they don’t, they never were. The same could EDITORIAL
be applied to where members choose to spend their resources.
How about instead we worry about whether our club meetings are the
best they can be. That we give everybody a good quality show each time we
meet. What if everyone contributes their laughter, bright spirits, and magnetic
energy to the room. A meeting is, after all, a creature of our own design. And
what we contribute determines whether people are attracted and want to be
part of “our” in-group. Belonging is a basic human need. We can make that
happen—if we want to.
So unlike prior years, I’m not going to stew and fret over what
other people do. I’m focusing my energy on being the best I can
be and contributing to the success of my clubs. And in the end,
that’s my responsibility—nothing else.

Volume 5 Issue 2 August 2018 Monthly Columnists 2018-19 Officers
Publisher Donna Stark, DTM District Director Administrative Manager
Phyllis Harmon, DTM John Rodke, DTM John Rodke, DTM Bob Pugh, ATMS, CL
Emilie Taylor, DTM
Associate Publisher Leanna Lindquist, DTM Program Quality Director Public Relations Manager
Brenda Parsons, ACS, ALS Terry Beard Emilie Taylor, DTM Lauralee Norris, IP3
Lauralee Norris, IP3
Senior Editor Club Growth Director Voices! is published monthly by District 7
Phyllis Harmon, DTM Harvey Schowe, DTM Cate Arnold, DTM Toastmasters. First issue published August
James Wantz, DTM 2014. Submit articles or contact us at
Associate Editor Future Stars Gavel Club Finance Manager voices@d7toastmasters.org
Leanna Lindquist, DTM B. Lee Coyne, ATMS George Hecht, DTM
Paul Fanning, DTM

VOICES! | SEPTEMBER 2018 3