Page 32 - February 2021 Voices
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GLEANINGS FROM THE GROVE
nothing to do with their status in society, their through Level One in Pathways, or have them
bank account, or the make and model of the car compete in a speech contest—all would improve
they drive. Steadfast and sure, yes. Keeping calm their delivery and method triple fold without the
and carrying on, double yes. poor speaking they are currently passing off as
So how does this apply to our organization? “a polished speech.”
I would love to do a mock WW2 style poster Don’t get me started with today’s youth who
of our District Director PJ Kleffner standing don’t even talk with each other let alone someone
tall on the poster and pointing at us saying older than they—beyond a nod of the head, a
“TOASTMASTERS WANTS YOU!” “yeah” or LOL BTW texting.
No, I’m not trying to be funny for the So, my friends and fellow seekers of
message is true. We need more Toastmasters improvement, here’s the bottom line as I see it.
and Clubs. We need more people, caring about We must draw a line in the sand and say, “no
their fellow men (and women), to help them gain more.” No more loss of membership. Let us reach
self-confidence, learn how to speak and lead— out and grow our Club membership now and
assisting others to strive to grow, to succeed, and through the remainder of this year. No more
to achieve their potential. clubs disappearing or using COVID-19 as an
How we speak, how we work with others, excuse (I am re-thinking Zoom fatigue!). Instead,
and how we encourage others to strive for that let us create new clubs—dynamic, enthusiastic,
confidence in “finding your voice” is sadly lacking and relishing Pathways.
in most of today’s society. The membership renewal period has begun.
We accept the mundane, the mediocre There are incentives for your Club to increase
and the easy options that will rarely lead us to membership—money for your Club, recognition
achieve our potential. I challenge you to watch for those who recruit new members, etc.
television (or whatever is your media of choice) Let’s raise the bar higher than before.
and truly listen to what, how, and why they are Let’s KEEP CALM and carry the message of
saying what they do. Grab a generic evaluation Toastmasters on and out to our communities,
form and watch an interview (your ah-counter friends, churches, and other organizations.
pen at the ready). There may not be bombs dropping, but your
I have watched and listened to many political service, your achievement, and your progress
leaders in the last year. Most could not deliver are calling—and it is a clarion call. Be Margaret
an ice breaker at our Club meetings! Ahs, ums, Emily Hoare and sally forth.
run-ons, double starts, no organization—the
list goes on and on. They need Toastmasters.
Give us one of these “professional” speakers
in our clubs and we would help them become
dynamic, confident, and easily understood
speakers. Encourage them do Table Topics. Run
32 ONE COMMUNITY
