Page 9 - voices.10.2018

it confining to be known primarily as an actor. project.
He aimed to strengthen his connection with the When not on stage as a trainer or performer,
audience and “get them involved and turn it into this self-proclaimed “introverted cat lover”

a conversation instead of a performance.” He recharges by spending quiet time with a good
set a new goal for himself this past year: “Stop book. Besides one indoor cat at home, he enjoys
performing and start training.” two others at his workplace and feeds a dozen
When he presented trainings, the question- or so neutered outdoor cats. Yes, he is a “crazy

and-answer sessions and interruptions would cat guy.”
sometimes throw him off. He says he had to As proof that not all accomplished
undergo a change of mindset to believe that “the Toastmasters are extroverts, Wantz says his
audience is more important than me.” phobia is networking. Because crowds are not his

He became a Pathways champion as he thing, he has served as the District photographer
explored the depth and breadth of its offerings: to stay busy and productive with his camera at
“The more people who get involved in it, the events.
more they will like it.” Having already served as Area Governor

Unlike the traditional program it replaces, and District Secretary, Wantz will continue his
Pathways incorporates many activities that can Pathways work this year as the D7 Pathways
take place outside a club meeting, he notes. The Coordinator.
elective projects in Pathways enable members His advice to Toastmasters who want to

to work on them outside the club and bring the achieve more is “find a mentor who pushes you.
results back to share at a meeting. Says Wantz, “I Keep getting pushed, in a good way. That’s how
love the fact that Toastmasters is reaching into I have grown.”
our lives. The projects are broad and relatable Erik is District 7 Chief Judge for 2018-19, as well

to my job.” as Vice President of Education at TV Toastmasters
He has finished a first path in Presentation in Beaverton and Sergeant at Arms of WE Toasted
Mastery, which played to his strengths, Toastmasters in Lake Oswego.
and launched two more paths, Visionary

Communications and Strategic Relationships.
As an analytical introvert who is more a detail
person than a big-picture thinker, he says those
paths present bigger challenges for him. Yet

he is tackling them head-on. He aims to attain
a second DTM award in Pathways so he can
compare that process to the traditional program.
Next on his to-do list is the Pathways blogging

VOICES! | OCTOBER 2018 9