Page 10 - August 2019

COVER STORY

one club, but may have to help start a new one

as Plan B. Her decision to embrace leadership
began when she and Harvey Schowe attended
the 1996 National Convention in Connecticut
when Gary Schmidt became the International

President. Karen said, “I couldn’t lead anyone
out of a paper bag!” But with encouragement,
she went on to attain an impressive record!
Karen has held every club officer role, many

several times. She has been a Club Coach, Area
Director twice, a Division Director twice, District
Sergeant at Arms, and District Secretary. She
has led or helped coordinate Speechcraft and

small club modules. She served as database
coordinator and is currently serving as District
Finance Manager, a role she had held since 2017.
Karen is active in three clubs: Blue Ox, Civil

Tongues and Portland Progressives. Some might
say she is rather driven (or even a fierce manager!)
many accolades, ribbons and other awards. but it is simply a desire to see people get the
And, she is the eldest on the Portland Hood to benefit of being involved.

Coast team. For Karen, what she would say to encourage
Life can be likened to a race. At the starting people to check out Toastmasters is fairly
line you have a goal, you set yourself a pace, straight forward. It is valuable to visit clubs, to
and to finish you stick to that pace to reach your check out the club culture to see what fits with

finishing time. In life you have goals—among one’s personality. Toastmasters is not just for
them there is saving money and juggling one’s public speaking, its also about conversation,
time better. And like a race, the real goal is to confidence, having something to say and
start another race when that goal is achieved. knowing how to speak your mind. We may be

Everything has a purpose; to improve. asked to speak in Grad School, or the boss may
And of course, there’s Karen’s love and passion request a presentation. Who knows—maybe
for Toastmasters. She has started two paths in you would like to quit your job and you want to
Pathways and is working on two Level 4s. practice how to say such things without the boss’s

Karen got into leadership more than feedback! Toastmasters is about helping others
speaking, although she is closing in on her sixth and mutually growing one’s self, improving
DTM. She is just short of sponsoring, coaching your own skills set. Its less expensive than any
or mentoring a club. She is currently coaching communications course in school, too.

10 ONE COMMUNITY