Page 42 - August 2020 Voices

COACH CONVERSATIONS

Brian Dodd, DTM
Paying It Forward

Michelle Alba-Lim, DTM - Club Coach Coordinator

In this issue, we are launching COACH

CONVERSATIONS. Each month, we will feature
interviews with one (or more) successful club
coaches. For August, our featured coach is Brian
Dodd. Brian is a 3x Distinguished Toastmaster

who has successfully coached clubs in District 7,
District 21, and District U (undistricted).

Brian, tell me about your Toastmasters
experience.

I’ve been a Toastmaster for over 15 years. I
started when I asked my doctor how to speak
more assertively, and he said “Join Toastmasters.”

Since then, I’ve been with over a dozen clubs. I’m
currently with six clubs, and working to charter
two more. pick up the tools and do the work yourself. You
coach others how to use the tools to get the job
Why do you like being a club coach? done. In addition, my analytical background in

I didn’t like being a club coach at the onset. I accounting and computer software development
read the requirements, and compared to being are an asset. For me, the greatest quality is
a club sponsor or a club mentor, I thought it was listening effectively. And of course, being

hit or miss. Helping a club that I was familiar optimistic is a great help.
with gave me the opportunity to experience
club coaching first hand. And I discovered that What’s in it for you?
I loved being a coach. When I joined Toastmasters, I was 65 years

old. I saw an opportunity for me to pay forward
What qualities help you to be a great coach? the people who had helped me throughout my

I learned my coaching style from my life. Coaching helps me leverage my experience
grandfather, who taught me that you don’t and skills to help others.

42 ONE COMMUNITY