Page 6 - February 2020

COVER STORY

Dawnette Hale, DTM
Creating Connections

Phyllis Harmon, DTM

Continuing this year’s focus on Division Directors, February features

Dawnette Hale, Divison D Director.

Why did you join Toastmasters?
My friend Stephanie Hope, a long time Toastmaster,

asked me to come to a meeting many times, but I always
found a reason to say no. I thought it was an old man’s club
and I just did not have time for that. I attended a Women
Interactive Networking meeting at my work and discovered

that they were creating a women’s only meeting. I thought
it might be interesting to see what a meeting was like. It was
awesome! In a manufacturing and engineering company
there are few women. Having an opportunity to learn and

practice speaking skills without men around was appealing.
After three months I attended the main meeting and found
it to be just as wonderful and inspiring as the women’s only
meeting.

What has been your greatest Aha! Moment in your

Toastmasters journey so far? Why?
I don’t know about the greatest. . . but one significant

moment was when I realized that after practicing and
learning, and leading, I was no longer afraid of speaking. I
am not concerned about the size of the crowd, who I follow,
how I will do. It will be just fine. Why? Because I practice,

because I challenge myself, and because I get awesome
feedback that helps me stay focused and confident. I usually

6 ONE COMMUNITY