Page 24 - 2019 February

LEANNA LISTENS

Ginger Killion, DTM
An Unsung Hero of

District 7 Toastmasters

Leanna Lindquist, DTM

Ginger Killion is one of the unsung heroes of District 7. If you have

attended TLI, networking events, or a conference, Ginger probably had
a hand in it. She has been quick to volunteer and often looked to when someone was needed to step in at the
last minute. Twice she has been the “boots on the ground” for Area Directors who were incarcerated. She
has served as Division H Director and District 7 Chief Judge among numerous other roles. She quietly did

what was asked of her, she did it well, and she did it with a smile on her face.

Tell us about your background; where you grew inside the walls of a correctional facility! The
up, education, career, family. first time I went there and the doors slammed,

I was born in Santa Ana, California, the I thought I was in a movie. During the 6 years
3rd of 7 children. My family moved to Oregon I have volunteered for Audacious Orators I
when I was 6. I attended Clatsop County Schools have seen the benefits of Toastmasters inside
and graduated from Warrenton High School. I those walls. The women that join Toastmasters

earned an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal have strong motivation to become better
Arts from Clatsop Community College. My late communicators—and they do. Since many are
husband Bill and I were married 58 years, the there for years, they can develop speaking,
proud parents of 6 children, 5 sons including listening and leadership skills that become an

identical twins, and one daughter. I did not have asset to themselves and others.
a “career”. I wrote and typeset for a small weekly
newspaper. What word would people say describes you best?
I worked as an office manager, administrative Hmmm.. Loyal or calm.

assistant, and volunteer basic piano teacher.
What advice do you have for people new to

You have been a Toastmaster almost 25 years Toastmasters?
and you belong to three clubs. Why have you Learn as much as you can about the
stayed with Toastmasters so long? organization right up front. You will be

I love the energy and the people and hope I impressed and motivated to be part of the
make a small difference in some lives. It keeps amazing worldwide organization. Your skills will
me on my toes. improve gradually and one day you will wake

up and know that you have not only improved
What kind of an experience have you had as a your communication, listening and leadership
volunteer with Audacious Orators? skills, and your confidence has soared.
First of all, what a learning experience to be

24 ONE COMMUNITY