Page 32 - January 2019 Voices
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FROM THE FIELD
My Journey to Pathways DTM
Michelle Alba-Lim, DTM
As philosopher Lao Tzu wrote, the journey of a during my talk. Eventually, I found a club in
thousand miles begins with a single step. Indeed, District 27 (Arlington, Virginia) and immediately
my journey to Distinguished Toastmaster in joined to gain access to Base Camp. Woohoo!
Pathways began with a single step. • Step 5. On May 1, I did my first self-
• Step 1. In 2013, I applied to be a Learning assessment. To my chagrin, the path I wanted
Master in the revitalized Toastmasters education (Effective Coaching) was not among the top three
program. Although I was not accepted, my recommended paths. I decided to accept the
interest was piqued by the regrets letter that “Best Recommended” path for me (Motivational
read in part “Thank you for applying to be a Strategies). That night, I stayed up for hours
Learning Master . . . The response to the call studying tutorials, exploring Navigator, and
for volunteers was tremendous, with more than exploring Base Camp. Motivational Strategies
3,100 members applying for the 280 Learning turned out to be an excellent path. Many
Master positions.” I wanted to know what these projects helped me to see how I need to work
learning masters did, and how it would impact with my team and ensure that they are ready
Toastmasters and me. and willing to support me to achieve desired
• Step 2. Late 2013, I applied for Ambassador. goals. Moderate a Panel Discussion project
I was accepted, but received scant information. No gave me the impetus to create the Pathways
one else had any details. For a time, I felt like we Discussion Forum. I did not expect the group
were the blind leading the blind. Challenging to would become so large (currently 8000+
be a cheerleader about the upcoming revitalized members) and be considered as one of the best
education program but persisted anyway. Pathways resources https://www.facebook.com/
• Step 3. In 2016, I applied for Pathways groups/pathwaysdiscussionforum/. Moderating
Guide. I was accepted but still not much such a large and active group is challenging,
information. I felt disheartened but consoled however each day is a laboratory for applying
myself that Pathways would be piloted the the knowledge and skills learned in Motivational
following year. Strategies.
• Step 4. In 2017, I volunteered to speak about • Step 6. I started on my second path
Pathways at the District 7 Spring Conference. As (Visionary Communication) while I was working
the conference neared, I searched for a club with on Level 3 of my first path. Unlike my first path,
online attendance in a district that had rolled I didn’t do a self-assessment. I deliberately chose
out Pathways so I could demonstrate Base Camp Visionary Communication because I’d heard
32 ONE COMMUNITY
