Continuing my Magnificent Speaking Streak!

This coming Tuesday begins a challenge for me where I’ll be speaking back to back weeks at Laurel Highlands and Greensburg and achieving another level. I’ll be doing the same thing in June, on the heels of Summer TLI and my week off. Where that award ends up will depend on if we have enough to get to President’s Distinguished at Laurel Highlands. Thus, my magnificent speaking streak that I’ve had since August will continue. I didn’t give speeches in January but still it’s been a mighty good run eight out of the last nine months. 

In February, I spoke twice within a week. My Greensburg speech was on Hartley King as he had recently passed away. My first job out of college was at Kings. My Laurel Highlands speech less than a week later promoted my favorite little coffee shop in Greensburg, Cutie’s. I feel that stepping up on stage and speaking has helped elevate my mood as well, since for most of Spring and at least the first part of summer, I was feeling down. That has been a recurring theme for me every Spring at least since COVID and even going back further. A few years ago, it was because of feeling attacked in my journey due to the Bud Light fiasco,the Canadian wildfires which shielded the sun on a nice day, and wondering when Benny would be coming home. Last year, it was simply wanting attention and likes on the socials.

This Spring feels different though. 

Tuesday night at Laurel Highlands, I will revisit one of my past speeches from earlier in the year. It will be about life at the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. One way I plan on improving the speech is by knowing my audience and their interests, reminding them that everything isn’t cancelled. I’m now looking for speech ideas for next week at Greensburg and into June. That should wrap up Level 3 in Presentation Mastery.

It took me four years to finish my first path, Dynamic Leadership. Now, I might have three levels on my new path completed, all within nine months. Time will tell but I may be up for starting a new path or two when the new Toastmaster year begins in July. Taking a page from the current VPE at Laurel Highlands and Western Maryland, work on one path at Greensburg and one at Laurel Highlands. I’m just looking ahead to the future.

Wednesday night at Greensburg Toastmasters, before we wrapped up the meeting, the realignment proposal and changes coming to our District was up for discussion. There were some ruffled feathers over the changes but this could help when contest season comes up. More contestants may be able to compete at area contests, which are usually held in February. 

Finally, we picked our officers for the 2025-26 Toastmasters year. While swapping officer roles in Greensburg would have been an option (President and Vice President Education), our Treasurer stepped in and will take on the role of Presiding Officer for next year. I’m hoping to swap club roles for next year. I took the VPPR position for 2025-26 at Greensburg. At Laurel Highlands when we do officer roles for next year, I hope to get the VPE position. At Greensburg, it may likely be the end of an era as our Treasurer accepts the Presidential nomination. 

Looking ahead to next year, I’m looking to make Greensburg distinguished again. I’ll take a page out of my VPPR friends’ books and go from there and, blog about our meetings.