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more. Another part of me said walk away. name: Portlandia Toastmasters. They were warm
Why do I need to do this? As I reflected on the and welcoming. I felt good about my decision to
interview and other development conversations, work on my skills. “I can do this.”I still belong
I made up my mind. I would find out more about to Portlandia Toastmasters. I am biased. I love
Toastmasters. I sought out a Toastmasters Club my club and our opening of “Best hour of our
that fit my schedule. I was pleasantly surprised day,” and for some of us it’s the “best hour of our
to find a club that close by. I attended my first week!” We are a club with a variety of members
meeting, and was disappointed that I could not and backgrounds. We have a special Table Topics
join because it was a closed club. They did let me Only session once a month that everyone on the
visit a couple times. call participates in. It is fun!
I switched work locations and Toastmasters
fell to the bottom of my To Do List. I had a Fruits of My Labor
couple more embarrassing work incidences in
which I was not prepared to present training At first it was hard to measure my progress.
information. One meeting, I showed up late, I could not feel myself grow. I did not recognize
and the rest of the training went downhill from that I was improving. It was a little disheartening.
that moment. I could not find my notes and my I started to give myself mini goals. “I am going to
computer was not functioning correctly. participate in this meeting. I’m going to volunteer
I settled into a new role and visited a couple for an open role.” These little steps created small
different Toastmaster clubs in downtown victories and fed my confidence. I watched more
Portland, OR. I found a club that fit my work experienced members deliver speeches without
schedule, Thursdays at noon. They had a cool notes and use vocal variety and humor to engage
VOICES! | DECEMBER 2020 27
