Page 3 - August 2020 Voices

Change Happens

Phyllis Harmon, DTM

I heard from a club officer the other day that a new member was
objecting to their club’s culture, and was threatening to leave if
changes didn’t happen. The same type of ultimatums were voiced by
several members as the traditional education program transitioned
to Pathways—even knowing for three years that the change was imminent.
Change is hard. We don’t like it overly much. Whether its fitting into an established
culture or embracing the new education program, we appear to have no patience or
bandwidth for stepping outside of our comfort zones.
I think we have all had a bit too much “change” since last March when the pandemic
knocked on our national door. Don’t get me wrong—I miss the olden days of face-to-
face meetings and post-Toasties coffee klatches. I miss standing in front of an audience,
feeling the butterflies in my stomach, and soldiering on anyway. I too liked some of the
projects in the traditional program, especially the Storytelling and Interpretive Reading
manuals. Those were great fun, and I used them repeatedly in completing my three DTMs.
Am I planning to quit because my Toastmasters life experienced a couple of spitballs?
Of course not! I am made of sterner stuff. I’ll face the Brady-bunch Zoom screen and
deliver my speeches and evaluations right into the eye of the webcam to the best of EDITORIAL
my ability. I’m working on my fourth Path, having completed Levels 1 and 2 four times,
all from different perspectives.
Not always do I appreciate the points of view of my club mates. But I don’t let their
beliefs deter me from remaining a member. Developing an inquiring mind and looking
at the world through differing perspectives has given me a richer world view and a
tolerance for opposing opinions.
I am quite sure that you too are made of sterner stuff, and can get past the spitballs
in your Toastmasters life. I anticipate that it won’t be long before we remember these
times fondly and say with an inquiring smile, “Changes?
What changes?”
I encourage you to stay the course and weather the
changes. Remember, I’ll be here if you need a virtual hug.

Volume 7 Issue 1 July 2020 Monthly Columnists 2020-21 Officers Administrative Manager
Publisher B. Lee Coyne, ATMS District Director Phyllis Harmon, DTM
Phyllis Harmon, DTM Eldred Brown, DTM PJ Kleffner, DTM
Emilie Taylor, DTM Public Relations Manager
Associate Publisher Harvey Schowe, DTM Program Quality Director Neal Iversen
Brenda Parsons, ACS, ALS James Wantz, DTM Eldred Brown, DTM
Senior Editor Leanna Lindquist, DTM Club Growth Director Voices! is published monthly by District 7
Phyllis Harmon, DTM Lorrie Andersen, DTM Lorrie Andersen, DTM Toastmasters. First issue published August
Michelle Alba-Lim, DTM 2014. Submit articles or contact us at
Associate Editor Paul Fanning, DTM Finance Manager voices@d7toastmasters.org
Leanna Lindquist, DTM PJ Kleffner, DTM Jamie Gould, CC

VOICES! | AUGUST 2020 3