Page 12 - April 2020

FROM THE DESK

Keep On Keeping On

PJ Kleffner, DTM - Program Quality Director

How are you doing with that “Keep calm and meeting on May 9th and the contests on May
carry on” strategy that I recommended last 16th, the next major event on our horizon
month? Being retired, I am quite accustomed is Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI),
to spending a lot of time at home. However, currently scheduled for Saturday, June

I’m not exactly a recluse or hermit. My typical 27th. Assuming the shelter in place orders
weekly schedule included a Babble-On have been lifted by then, it will be at Camp
Toastmasters meeting, Tai Chi class, board Withycombe in Clackamas. The tentative
games with some friends, a trip or two to plan is to have fifteen breakout sessions (three

the grocery store, and Friday night dinners rounds of five sessions), which will allow us
with the in-laws. The shelter in place order to repeat some of the key officer roles for
turned all that upside down. members who fill more than one role. We
For the past several weeks, I have spent 4-5 will also have sessions on Pathways for both

hours on Zoom meetings—every day! Much members and Base Camp Managers, plus
of the initial time was setting up additional topics of general interest on communication
Zoom accounts and helping Clubs get online, and leadership skills.
then planning and holding Division speech June 30th marks an important time in

contests. As of this writing, we have completed the history of Toastmasters. With a few
three Division contests – one in-person and exceptions for Advanced Leader Silver
two online – only five more to go. The first and Distinguished Toastmaster award
two online contests went okay, and we are requirements, what we know as the “legacy

learning new tricks each contest. We should program” will end, and all members will
be getting pretty good at this by the time we transition to Pathways. It is critical that our
hold the District contests on May 16th. incoming Club officers are well-versed on
Following our annual District 7 business the subject, so they can help their Clubs be

12 ONE COMMUNITY