Page 43 - June 2020

. . . Toastmasters are supportive. It doesn’t matter what you

need, a Toastmaster will step up and help you out.

was thrust into a role of creating community reading, writing, and knitting . . . not necessarily

programs, directing committees and boards of in that order. However, there may be a couple of
directors, leading tours, and becoming a special things that fell below the radar. In 1947, yes, I was
purpose writer. This combination of things 10-years old, I won first place for yodeling in a
appealed to my eclectic nature, and music simply State of Idaho talent contest, and I still have the

became an avocation. By 1980, I had become trophy to show for it. My other claim to fame is
president and CEO of Jan Jackson Travel, which that I sold one of the photos I took of a manure
found me focusing on creating, marketing, and storage tank in Tillamook that made the cover
escorting tours all over the world. After joining of Manure Management Magazine. . . I know,

Toastmasters, I realized that those 50-years I some people have all the fun.
spent answering questions from the 30 and 40
people in a motorcoach all day every day, was What does the future of Toastmasters

really training me for Table Topics. look like after lockdown?

Being a special purpose writer, defined as I’m actually looking forward to the upcoming
one who writes to inform, educate, or motivate, challenges facing team Liberty, my home
has helped me to write my own speeches and advanced evaluation club. In the meantime, while
better evaluate others. I did find out early on that grappling with whether to Zoom or not to Zoom,

there is a big difference in writing for print and I’m still trying to become a more disciplined
writing for speeches. The first speech I wrote for speaker.
myself I had to throw away and start
over. I also write club press releases,

promotional copy, feature stories,
and social media posts. In addition
to publishing the Country Traveler
Online, freelancing for newspapers

and magazines, I am working on a
book about how to travel with soul.

What is there about you that

others would be surprised to
know?

Well I talk so much about it—
most people know I’m addicted to Liberty Toastmasters Meeting

VOICES! | JUNE 2020 43