Why Am I a Toastmaster? The Answer Is in a Story

Phillip Silas

That is a simple enough question, but I have so many answers. However, I will narrow it down to one answer with a story.

One summer growing up, I was sick with some kind of summer flu that kept me bedridden, close to the house and away from regular summer fun. My friends and I were all a part of the local recreational boxing club. And that summer would prove to be a breakout year for the better boxers. Needless to say, I was considered one of the better boxers.

Well, of course I wasn't able to compete because of my illness, but my higher-ranking slot as a "better boxer" had to be filled. So it was filled with a not-so-better fighter. Long story short, all the fighters received a boxing jacket because of their participation.

Having that boxing jacket was like winning an Olympic medal, and the glory, status and perks you receive from the world.

As I go through my daily routines in life, and interject through conversations that I am a Toastmaster, I seem to always receive a sense of awe. So, because of this response and feeling, I will always be involved with Toastmasters, because to me, I finally got my jacket.

Phillip Silas

How Did I Get to Toastmasters?

Bill Erwin

Why am I a Toastmaster? First I have to tell you how I got here, then I'll explain why I’ve stayed with the club even after it met my needs.

As a kid I moved frequently, so I found ways to keep myself busy without having to socialize. I was tested for Autism at a school in Oklahoma because I rarely talked to other kids. This proved to my teacher I wasn't the "stupid kid" she claimed me to be, and I was soon offered a slot in a higher grade.

However, my social skills were *lower* than those of my peers, and I missed that opportunity to keep myself challenged. I survived high school by inventing the concept "fake it until you make it,"  (someone else named it).  I hardly spoke to anyone, and worked after-school jobs that required minimum people skills.

Fast forward a few different job titles to my current employer, and I can say I had "made it" . . . almost. I still had difficulties speaking in front of groups unless I had worked through 100% of the details, and I couldn't "speak on my feet" at all. That’s why I joined Toastmasters.

During my first speech, my hands shook noticeably, as I told my life story to a group of 30 or so people. It was something I knew about, but I hadn’t put it into words before. This helped me "break the ice."  Performing different roles at the club acclimated me to speaking under new situations. Table Topics started as a short but painful vaccine, but it helped me build immunity to speaking with no preparation.

But you want to know why I'm still a Toastmaster, right? It's simply about the people, and their stories. I watch them become better speakers right before my eyes. My favorite part is watching them become mentors, and seeing them “pay it forward” to the next new member who is wondering...

Why did I come here?

Bill Erwin

Why Am I (Still) a Toastmaster?

Tammy Bailey

Many of you have heard me talk about my boyfriend Russ and his family. They live on a farm in Weatherford, and almost every weekend he goes out there. If I'm not otherwise occupied, sometimes I'll investigate the idea of going along, so I'll ask, "What are you doing at the farm today?" Inevitably, his answer is, "Oh, I don't know, but there's always SOMETHING to do!"

That's the way it is with Toastmasters. There's always something to do.

Many people join, complete their Competent Communication manual, then split with their ten speeches and a CC designation. But that's just not me. When I joined Toastmasters in 2006, I decided from the outset that if there was a goal, an ultimate "something" that could be achieved, that's what I was going to do, or else I wasn't going to do it at all. I set my sights on achieving the Distinguished Toastmaster designation, and by November 2008, I'd done it. The question in my mind at that time became, "Now what?"

"Now what?" turned out to be easily answered. I was a club officer, so there was no taking my DTM and riding off into the sunset. I had responsibilities to fulfill, and so I continued to come to meetings. After that officer term, I started serving in another capacity, and then another. People were depending on me for leadership, feedback, and assistance, and there was just no way I was going to let them down without a darn good reason.

If you're a club officer, you have leadership responsibilities. If you're on the agenda at a meeting, you have an obligation to prepare for your role to the very best of your ability. If you're not on the agenda for a particular meeting, you have the privilege of applauding and cheering on those who do have opportunities to fill, and in case one of them can't make it, you may get the opportunity to step up and be a leader yourself.

That's the beautiful thing about Toastmasters and why I'm still here after six years and two DTMs: There's always SOMETHING to do!

Tammy Bailey, DTM