Page 37 - voices November

There are four elements; Self, Club, Members, environment which builds trust and creates

and Organization. They are all individually and integrity?”
collectively important. I believe that this building process is in the
It would seem to follow that when a guest very skills we have come to Toastmasters to
is considering joining a club there is also a learn and develop. Specifically in listening to

responsibility of the club to look at the person a person and clarifying our communication.
as well. We are, as a rule, open to inviting people As individuals we may hear the same words
to join and we like to say “anyone can join.” But, from a person, but each person translates and
we also must realize we have a responsibility interprets what is heard in a different way. Based

to our selves, the club, club members, and the on every aspect of our individual environment
organization to guard the environment we where we grew up, went to school, the children
have created through the values connected with we played with, and the list goes on. The core

It would seem to follow that when a guest is considering

joining a club there is also a responsibility of the club to look

at the person as well.

the Toastmaster Promise. This is one reason of understanding is listening, clarifying, and
why we vote on new member candidates. It understanding. I believe Dr. Stephen Covey
should not be a forgone conclusion that just said it well, “Seek first to understand, then to be

anybody is acceptable. The example cited above understood.”
demonstrates an exercise of these values. We During this month evaluate your
typically, if at all, go through the motions very communication; consider what integrity and
superficially and vote to bring the candidate trust mean to you. Ask yourself questions when

into membership. When I am hosting the you are engaged in conversation at home, work
initiating ceremony I have the candidate recite or Toastmasters. What am I hearing this person
the Toastmaster Promise and typically I will say? Ask them to clarify there communication.
have the entire membership recite it with them. Feedback what you think you hear them saying.

To be in a place of integrity with your fellow Clarify until you are sure you understand then
club members requires a level of understanding clarify to make sure you are being understood.
and wisdom. Understanding what is expected Next month we will explore how conflict
of you and what you expect of others. For the degrades integrity and trust. Engaging in conflict

Toastmaster system to excel at excellence it is as much a part of life as breathing. Working
is advantageous and even necessary to foster through conflict instead of avoiding it builds
high levels of integrity and trust. The question integrity and trust.
becomes, “How do we execute and create the

VOICES! |NOVEMBER 2018 37