Page 26 - January 2019 Voices

LOCKE ON LEADERSHIP

Coffee with Earl

Patrick Locke, DTM

In 2010 I relocated to the great Pacific Northwest. over to me and introduced himself. “High I’m
After visiting a few Toastmaster clubs in Earl, mind if sit with you?” There was plenty of

Vancouver, I joined Early Words Club in the open seats around but I was quite intrigued by
Longview area. People there were very friendly, this man. “Sure,” I said as I stretched out my hand
good member involvement and they seemed to to him,” Patrick Locke, how are you this fine day,
stick to the program well which was my highest Mr. Earl?” “Great,” he replied with a friendly

criteria. I went ahead and signed up. Everything smile, “you appeared to be in deep thought about
was good but, there was always a challenge to something,” “Ya,” I said, “just been contemplating
keep the roster up to that twenty member mark how to deal with some challenges.” “What you got
to qualify for Distinguished Club status. When goin,” he asked inquisitively. “Well, I’m currently

I looked at the metrics on the club I found they President of a Toastmasters Club here in town.
had been a Distinguished club for many years Are you familiar with Toastmasters, Earl?” I
and mostly Presidents Distinguished. asked. “Yes, as a matter of fact I am,” he said
A few weeks ago I was sitting in one of the quite frankly. ““Well, We’ve been doing very well

vintage coffee shops in Longview pondering with our education program but I’m concerned
on what my next challenge would be in the about the membership and how to increase
development of our club leadership. I thought to our numbers. Don’t get me wrong, we’re doing
myself, “our club is doing well, education wise, very well. We’ve got some very good members,

but we have a challenge with membership. Then they’re right there every Tuesday morning at
again, it seems, everyone has a challenge with six o’clock, A.M. that is.” “That is pretty early,”
membership these days so maybe it isn’t us, it’s Earl replied. “Ya, most everyone thinks that’s the
just what’s going on out there. If everyone is challenge. They don’t think people want to get

having the same challenge”, I thought, “it mustn’t up that early on a Tuesday morning.” “Patrick,”
be our club, it’s just the circumstances, that’s all, Earl said as he leaned back in his chair and took
just the circumstances.” a long sip of his coffee, “you don’t seem to think
While in my state of pondering I noticed a that’s the challenge, do you?” “No, I guess I don’t

very stately gentleman had walked into the coffee really see that as the real challenge, no. Oh, I
shop. He ordered a beverage then as he turned, think it might be a small part but not the main
he looked directly at me as if he knew me. I issue.” “I think you might be on the right track
nodded to acknowledge and he walked directly there, Patrick, because there’s one element that

26 ONE COMMUNITY