Page 3 - November 2020 Voices

Just Do it!

Phyllis Harmon, DTM, PDG

Did you grab your free Path yet for renewing your membership?
Don’t forget to get it before December 31st. I chose the Engaging
Humor Path because it is the only one that scares me silly. I
keep hearing that stepping outside your comfort zone is good
for personal growth. I’m not sure about the growth part, but I do love a challenge.
The last time someone told me I couldn’t do something, I did it anyway and was
successful. I mean, what can happen except that I completely blow it. And that won’t
happen because this is Toastmasters and we don’t let each other fail.

I understand that some of you who have been in Toastmasters forever don’t like
learning something new, which is why the District Pathways member adoption rate is
only 81.04%. I am curious why the new member adoption rate is only 60.94% when it
should be at 100%.

Why isn’t it? Are we failing to help new members get started? Are some of us
badmouthing the program so new members shy away from it? Or are we not making
the educational program part of our club’s culture? It is worth pondering and EDITORIAL
discussing. If we want to grow our clubs why would we not encourage each other to
adopt the educational program? Why would we not help new members get started?
And, for the sake of everyone, why do some of us keep comparing the defunct legacy
program to the new?

I have a suggestion for the reluctant 18.96%. You are a role model for your club
members. Why not be part of the solution? Do something outside your comfort zone
by jumping into Pathways. And while you are doing so,
team up with one of the 39.06% new members who have
not started their educational journey. After all, doing
anything new is best when you do it together.

Volume 7 Issue 3 October 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
Chris Angelopoulos James Wantz, DTM Eldred Brown, DTM
Senior Editor Leanna Lindquist, DTM Club Growth Director Voices! is published monthly by District 7
Phyllis Harmon, DTM Lorri 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
Sudhir Gautam, DL4

VOICES! | NOVEMBER 2020 3