Page 27 - April 2021 Voices
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going to learn it! I was determined to “Rise to very best friends today are Toastmasters. We’ve
the Challenge!” spent many holidays, vacations and other
I continued to compete, continued to learn, special events with them because we went to a
each level presenting an entirely new world of conference! Bob and I both became professional
opportunities. Those opportunities eventually speakers because we went to a conference!
took me to the finals of the World Championship When Bob and I attended that first conference,
of Public Speaking in 1993, where I won 3rd Place. neither of us ever dreamed of where it would
They took me back again in 1996, where I won take us. We would have laughed at anyone who
2nd Place. I stood on that stage, able to “Rise to said to us, “One day you’ll be. . .”
the Challenge!” because I went to a conference! But that’s the great thing about Toastmasters.
Remember my husband went to that This organization truly empowers people to
conference too. Remember what intrigued achieve their full potential and realize their
him? He went back to his Club and became an dreams. To Rise to Challenges you never
officer. . . and was also determined to “Rise to the expected or thought possible! I hope to see you
Challenge!” One position led to another, then at your conference. Whether it will be your
another, and yet another; until in 1993 (sound first or your twenty-first, there will be someone
familiar?) he was elected Third Vice President new to meet (even virtually), something new to
of Toastmasters International. Bob went on to learn. . . and your life could be changed forever.
serve as our International President in 1996-97 . . because you went to a conference!
because he went to a conference!
I often refer to Toastmasters as the most
serendipitous organization I know. What I
mentioned earlier is just the icing on the cake
of how our lives have been changed, how they’re Click Here to Register
better—because we went to a conference! Our
VOICES! | APRIL 2021 27
