On Tuesday night at my Laurel Highlands Toastmasters meeting, I did something that I haven’t in my 12 years in the organization. I gave two speeches in less than a week. That hasn’t happened before and I was proud of myself for stepping up to the plate.
Our club president Ryan sent an email Tuesday looking for speakers as none were scheduled. As I was getting ready to go to my meeting, a speech idea came to mind. I had just done a speech and needed to do the second one for my project–Deliver Social Speeches. I was going to give that one on June 13 but decided to swap my speech with giving an evaluation.
It couldn’t have worked out any more perfectly. Club member Andrea Michaux served as my evaluator (we were both scheduled to be speech evaluators). My last speech a week ago at Greensburg was a eulogy for Mister Rogers, which was delivered very well. This social speech was about presenting an award. I honored our club’s founder and current Vice President of Education Sharon Imes (nee Joseph) with a pseudo Spirit of Toastmasters award. I won one back in 2020 along with two other member.
I think Sharon can definitely win Spirit of Toastmasters because she has a huge passion for the organization. Just as she started the Laurel Highlands Club in Fayette County, we hope she and Gary can get Toastmasters going in the Frostburg-Cumberland area too.
Even though it was a small turnout for our meeting (six total with half in person and half virtual), it was a successful one. Ryan even got some names for next years’ officer list. I will reprise my Sergeant at Arms role for the club.
The reason I wrote this blog was to talk about the importance of stepping up to the plate when needed. It’s an important term whether you’re a sports team and you need to win to pull ahead in your division, or if you’re a Toastmaster. Why we’re in Toastmasters is to improve our communication and leadership skills and learn to work as a team.
Ryan could have just had Table Topics for the meeting but in my heart I really felt the need to help the team out. As President next year in Greensburg, I really want to set a good example for everyone by speaking more and, finally, finishing my path. Plus, one of level 4’s elective projects is to write a compelling blog. How much more perfect can it get? I also want to start off the Greensburg meetings by reading the mission and highlighting one role per meeting.
Next Laurel Highlands meeting is June 13 and the first meeting for the 2023-24 Toastmaster Year will be July 11. Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) aka Club Officer Training will be held June 24 and will be hybrid (in person and online).
Stylish 🍒 