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GLEANINGS FROM THE GROVE
speaker. Of course, it is a shorthand for another yours. Look around you—observe the media,
word, but let the people know what it is you are listen to the speeches, and most of all, look for
talking about. You may be talking about nuclear opportunities to be more of a professional in
fission as a “thing,” but he who hears you may your avocation so that your vocation can and will
think it is “creamed beef on toast.” (Just as bad be a success. It starts with every speech, every
as a nuclear fallout, but. . .) evaluation, and every leadership position even
I had a secretary who loved using those words if it is during your club’s weekly meeting as the
and would string along a sentence with three to General Evaluator, Toastmaster, and Ah Counter!
five “things” sprinkled with two or three "ums" I have enjoyed Toastmasters from my very
and four "ahs." Made communication dicey. first meeting out in the desert. Our mentors were
Professionalism is one of those goals in from another club across the river, and they
Toastmasters we should not get rid of—no instilled in us to work at our craft. So, what if I
throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Yes, was the timer for five meetings in a row—I had
the education program has changed—2005, that role semi-down by the sixth week. Then
2018, and now evolving almost quarterly as they moved me on to another role, much more
they add a new component to either the levels, difficult where I really had to pay attention—
DTM requirements, or speech contests. We Grammarian. After three months we held a
all must now become guardians of the sacred Tall Tales Contest where we were encouraged to
truth that we strive for professionalism in all keep within the time allotted and make sense of
areas of Toastmasters—including and especially what we said, i.e., content flow, response to the
leadership. Not to brag, but I have had my turn in audience, to read the room. All valuable lessons.
the barrel on the club, area, division, and district You, too, can be the encourager, that mentor, and
level. I hope that all I did and all I represented that guiding hand.
was done in a professional manner, encouraging Professionalism seems to be overrated in
other club leaders to step up to the plate. I also some parts of our society. Let us not do the same
understood that I needed to hear the “good, to our Toastmaster experience.
the bad and the ugly” whether it be criticism or As for me, the sunset is beckoning me to take
praise. I look at my “blow my own horn” wall in another trail, another path in my professional
my house and am amazed at what I accomplished life. The lessons I have learned are not forgotten.
in my time. I would throw them in the dustbin The great speakers and those that try are still
and start all over again in hope of correcting remembered. Friendships, sharing, heartache
mistakes before I made them, respect leadership and triumph have all been tasted and conquered.
and other members on all levels, and remember That is me. But you need to mount your horse
to have fun doing it whilst the Jimminy Cricket and head for that wonderful and professional
in my head keeps chirping about one thing or striving for excellence. If I could do it, so could
another. you.
Ergo, Toastmaster friend, the choice is really Adios, pardners!
28 ONE COMMUNITY
