Page 50 - December 2020 Voices

FIELD NOTES

TLI – Putting the Pieces Together

Leanna Lindquist, DTM, PDD

2020-21 District 7 Education Coordinator

When I start a Isn’t that what TLI is all about? To energize our
jigsaw puzzle, I members to pursue their goals with passion and

dump out all the share that passion in their club. The first piece,
pieces on a table. After a corner, of the puzzle was in place.
that I proceed in one of two If you want to challenge yourself, don’t look
ways, depending on the size of the at the picture on the puzzle box. Dive in and see

table. The first way is to put the interior what develops. That was how TLI unfolded. The
pieces back in the box, leaving the straight vision I shared with Program Quality Director
edges. The second way is to turn over all the Eldred Brown was to divide TLI into two parts.
pieces, so they are right side up. Every puzzle One made up of 30, yes 30, breakout sessions.

begins with the first piece. The second part was keynote speakers and
When you think about it, putting together a District business. Why 30 breakout sessions?
jigsaw puzzle is excellent training for creating an The District had 10 Zoom accounts. Breakout
event such as Toastmasters Leadership Institute session hours totaling 3 x 10 is 30. At the time

(TLI). Each element or piece of the puzzle must it sounded brilliant. Why divide TLI into two
“fit.” You have an idea what the outome will short days rather than one long day? Because
eventually look like, but sometimes . . . our members said the June TLI day was too long.
For me, the first piece was to create a theme See, I did read all the evaluations and they made

for marketing purposes. When I need to come the difference.
up with a creative idea I often collaborate with The next piece to the puzzle was to pick a
Phyllis Harmon. As I’ve often said, “she’s the other committee. I wanted someone old, someone new,
half of my brain.” In the spirit of transparency, and a sharp cookie. My someone old was Paul

she came up with the title and the graphic. Amp Fanning. He joined Toastmasters 11 years ago.
It UP! means to increase the power, to excite; He served as a Division Director and earned the
all goals for Toastmasters Leadership Institute. Distinguished Toastmaster award. He brought
It was an instant winner. It portrayed energy. experience to the table and knows what TLI

50 ONE COMMUNITY