Labor of Love Open House

A Labor of Love

Afterburners Open House Meeting on August 30, 2016, was a grand success!  In fact, we earned a Golden Gavel ribbon for the great number of members present, many special guests, no changes to the agenda, and we began and ended on time!  PLUS......we had a special array of FOOD!  Toastmasters meetings don't get any better than that!

To our delight, special guests Veronica Sites (left), District 25 Representative, and International Director David McCallister (center) pushed the greatness of our meeting off the charts!  They are pictured above with President Setma Maddox (right).   Additionally, Afterburners is the home club to three Area Directors — Area 11 Director, Holly Trinh; Area 13 Director, Aileen Hummel; and Area 24 Director, Kim Story — all present at our Open House.

To add to the excitement, our best speaker was Verlin Yoder (right) delivering his 2nd speech from the Competent Communication manual.  Verlin cleverly relayed his SMART goals using the analogy of entering the "Hotten than Hell" bike race of 100 miles in Wichita Falls.  He is pictured here with Best Evaluator Jim Hummel, and winner of Table Topics Antoinette Silas.

Our efforts paid off too as we garnered a couple of new members in the process!  All told, we can agree that being a Toastmaster is truly a Labor of Love.  You may view more photos here.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Afterburners Club Toastmasters begins new year July 1, 2016

Afterburners held their first meeting for the new year Tuesday, July 5.  For a day after a holiday, we certainly had an energetic group with 15 members present and 6 guests!  New officers were 'fired up' and President Setma Maddox is ready to take the baton to lead us through another great year for our members.  As a matter of fact, Setma was our 3rd speaker with "A New Beginning," from Project 2 in Advanced Manual Specialty Speeches, Uplift the Spirit.  In her presentation, Setma cleverly conveyed the framework of how Toastmasters works using the inverted pyramid with the top spot being YOU, the member.  All other layers of the pyramid, the Club, the Area, Division, District, Region, and International hold UP the member in service.  Not only was her timely presentation impressionable to new members, it reminded all of us veterans of how we can step in to serve our fellow members by being a mentor, communicating outside our Club, and serving the District in many capacities.  Good work, Setma for setting the tone for the coming year!

New member, Marah Nelson, earned the Best Speaker ribbon for her presentation "Be a Guardian Angel." Using Project #3 from Competent Communication manual, Get to the Point, Marah engaged the audience quickly by demonstrating how we can be a guardian angel and save a life using CPR.  She encouraged us all to learn CPR, especially during the summer months when the incidents of drowning increases.  Complete with informative handouts and her beautiful smile, Marah is an angel for reminding us to be vigilant and care for our neighbors.

Aileen Hummel sold the audience with "Evidence-based Minimally Invasive Extraction Methods," from the Advanced Specialty Speeches manual, Project 3, Sell a Product.  Aileen was assiduously (WOD) shared the new inventive techniques for dentists to use to help them extract a tooth in less than 2 minutes with minimal pain!  Now that takes a bite out of the fears and phobias of going to the dentist!

Rose Timmons was Table Topics Master utilizing our theme of the New Year and Nick Craven (new member voted in that night!) took the ribbon for Best Table Topics speaker as he enthusiastically explained his desire to become a motivational speaker, with the help of Toastmasters!  Dan Chisum earned the ribbon for Best Evaluator evaluating Setma and encouraging new growth — even for a Distinguished Toastmaster.

What a fantastic meeting and boost for the New Year!  Let us know how you feel about it!

One Bad Apple by Setma Maddox, DTM

   We may consider only the top person of an organization to be the leader that everyone follows.  This is not true.  Everyone in an organization serves in a leadership role whether or not we hold a title. 

   Recently I was engaged in a conversation concerning the impact that negative words and deeds have on an organization.  It seemed that an individual became angry when she was not asked to present a report at a particular meeting.  She began telling everyone who would listen how poorly she was treated.  After determining that her attitude was not a one-time occurrence but an on-going trend, I asked other employees what affect her attitude had on them.  It was summed up by a fellow employee:

“I used to love to come to work.  I thought we had a strong team and our bosses were doing a great job. Now all I see are the negative aspects of the job I do, and the incompetence of our leaders.  The only thing that has changed is the fact I have listened to her complaining so much, I am beginning to complain too. I feel unhappy with my work and with my fellow employees.  In fact, I feel physically ill most of the time while I’m at work."

   The old adage “one bad apple spoils the whole barrel” holds a great deal of truth. Some complaining is normal. However, an excessive amount of it can be debilitating not only to the person complaining but to the organization as a whole.  Production goes down.  Customer Service lags and ultimately the public will not associate with the organization. Over the past 3 years, I have watched several companies sell out because “they just wanted out.”  However, competing companies realized it was because there was so much tension in the organization that customers stopped buying from them. 

   My own company experienced something similar several years ago. We were vending at one of the largest conventions in the industry.  We had two “prima donna” designers in the booth.  One of them kept making snide remarks about the other one.  I finally took her out of the booth and told her not to return.  Our income at that show was extremely low compared to previous years. Recently, a fellow vendor and I were talking about the situation and she recalled, “All the vendors on the floor knew that you were having problems at that show. Our booth was 100 yards on the opposite side of the building and we could feel the tension.”  It was no wonder customers avoided us like the plague!

   Similar situations exist in clubs.  When you have a member who expresses his/her self in negative terms, it can affect how the club members and elected leaders respond and work together.  Negative words and deeds undermine the purpose of a club and result in a hostile environment.  When prospective members visit the club, they pick up on the tension and negativity.  No one wants to be involved where such dynamics exist.  Clubs with negative “vibes” do not retain members.  Therefore they are at risk of dying out unless something is done to correct the problem. 

   Are you a “bad apple” contributing to a negative environment?  As a leader, whether formal leader or one without a title, and you are leading others through negativity.  No one wants to wallow in that rotten barrel for an extended period.  Continuing to do so has consequences.  Your fellow employees or club members will start to avoid you; therefore, escalating your “bad apple attitude.”  Your own health is at jeopardy.  Studies have proven that people with negative attitudes have more health problems with their heart and immune system than people with positive attitudes¹.  Companies, and clubs, do not have to tolerate such behaviors.  They are destructive to the organization.  If you work for a company, they can fire you.  If you are a member of a club, the membership can ask you to leave. 

   If you are a “bad apple”, consider the affect negativity is having on you, personally, and everyone around you.  Then follow the fashion and make-up industry guru’s philosophy of “accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative.”  Not everything is negative, so seek out the positives in your life, your job, your bosses, and, if you’re a club member, in your fellow members and the club’s formal leaders.  Your popularity and mental and physical health may improve.  You may find that focusing on the positive may even get you a promotion and/or a raise.

Introverts in Toastmasters by Setma Maddox, DTM

Introverts in Toastmasters 

By Setma Maddox, DTM

We often associate Toastmasters with people who are out-going, who are able to stand up in front of lots of people and express themselves clearly, concisely, and with enthusiasm.  At least those are the people we see giving keynote speeches at various events. Were they always like that or did they learn to be that way? 

I believe some of them learn to be that way as evidenced by the transformation I see in new club members as they progress through the Competent Communicator and Competent Leadership Manuals.  Giving their Ice Breaker speech, I watch most of them stammer, shake, and sometimes even perspire during that four (4) minute presentation.   They are afraid of being judged or that they will fail or worse – fall flat on their face!  At least, that’s how I felt. It reminds me of a young plant tenaciously pushing its way to the surface.   However, with each subsequent speech, I watch them grow and eventually blossom.

During my observations I noticed that some of our members and I share some similar personality traits.

•  We enter club meetings or a new situation and carefully watch
    what is going on before jumping into the fray. 

•  We are hesitant to take on roles that will place attention on us. 

•  We tend to take a step back from anyone that seems too 
    aggressive when talking to us.
•  We tend to hesitate (think) before we answer a question.

These observations prompted three questions:  (1) What is it about our personalities that causes us to appear cautious, shy, reluctant or aloof?  (2)  What strengths do these members have that is evident in their personalities?  (3) How do you mentor someone who seems to hesitate with each suggestion you make?  So I began my search for answers in the area of leadership and team building since aspects of those topics are closely associated with mentoring. 

 
That’s when I began reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain.  Ms. Cain is a lawyer, a consultant, an author, and an introvert.  According to her, approximately 1/3 to ½ of Americans are introverts. That means one out of every two or three people you know is an introvert.  Thus it is highly probable that you sit next to an introvert at very club, area, district, and international function you attend.  If this is true, then other questions need to be answered:

•  What are the characteristics of an introvert? 
•  Are there tests to determine these characteristics?
•  What do the characteristics mean?
(See how research goes -- one thing leads to another!)   I found I needed to answer this last set of questions before I could answer the first set.

Yes, psychologists have developed several tests to determine a person’s basic personality type.  The most popular test is the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).   By answering a number of questions, the results will indicate whether you lean toward being an extrovert or an introvert; whether you need to examine the details of a plan or quickly see the big picture; whether you react based on feelings or objective analysis; and whether you plan ahead or you are spontaneous.   Basically, it’s how you perceive your world. The results are coded by using a letter for each of the four (4) categories: 

Extroversion/Introversion (E/I), Sensing/Intuition (S/N), Thinking/Feeling (T/F), Judgment/Perception (J/P).  Your score in each category determines your letter for that category. I took the assessment and my results are INTJ. 

I (Introvert) = I am often considered by some to be reserved, quite, and hard to know.  I have been called cold and aloof.  I don’t readily share my feelings.  I prefer to put my ideas in writing vs. talking them out.  I have few close friends and tend to reflect on ideas. I am energized by in-depth conversations and look inward for answers. 
An Extrovert (E), on the other hand, tends to be outgoing, talkative, and easy to approach.  They are often referred to as warm and inviting.  They readily share their thoughts and feelings without much prompting and have lots of friends. They are energized by interacting with large groups.           
N (Intuition) = I see patterns or trends quickly in both society and relationships.  I see the big picture and how the parts fit together very quickly.  I leap over steps and come to conclusions that may take others more time to develop. I am stimulated by new ideas and challenges. I wonder why others can’t immediately see the benefits or pitfalls of a project or idea as quickly as I can!  I enjoy variety.   Repetitive tasks BORE me to tears.  Once I learn a task or solve a problem, it’s time to move to the next challenge.        
A Sensor (S) lives in the present. Takes a step at a time and needs time to see the overall picture.  They love the familiar and use tried and true methods to approach a situation. Repetition works for them.  They can also be “just give me the facts lady, I don’t need the whole story” people. 
T (Thinker) =I am analytical and make my decisions based on objectivity rather than feelings.  I have a vivid imagination and enjoy new ideas.  I think long-term vs. short-term. I tend to reflect on all the possibilities and not move quickly enough to take advantage of an opportunity. 
A Feeler (F) is spontaneous. They react quickly to any given situation making decisions based on their feelings and their personal convictions.  They take an immediate and very personal view of situations and relationships. They are very caring individuals with strong values.  They think short-term vs. long-term. 
J (Judgment) = I am a planner who enjoys clear limits (there is an end at some point). I am decisive and organized. Clutter or a house full of knick knacks makes me nervous. For the most part I adhere to my core values and principles and expect others to do the same.  
A Perceiver (P) loves freedom to explore without limits.  They tend to procrastinate and meet deadlines at the last minute. They are flexible and “go with the flow” people.

So now that the second set of questions have been generally answered, I can consider the answers to the first set of questions. 

(1) What is it about our personalities that causes us to appear cautious, shy, reluctant or aloof?  It appears that I and some of my club mates may be considered introverts.  We tend to carefully consider a situation or idea or an individual and weigh it or him/her against our core values and our perception of the world.  We want to be sure that whomever we choose to interact with will fit into our world as we perceive it. If you don’t get included, please don’t take it personal.  Introverts appear to sometimes live in another dimension of time and space. Approach us, drop an idea on us and walk away.  If we are intrigued, we will think about it for awhile and if we have questions or want more information, we will find you.

(2)  What strengths do these members have that is evident in their personalities?  Introverts hold a wealth of information that can be readily accessed if needed.  We tend to glean information from conversations, reading, and general observations; then we file it away for future consideration or use. We may not be able to tell you where we obtained that information but it is solid regardless.  If you need someone to come up with a new way to do something, ask an introvert.  If you need someone to find a way around or through a specific problem – ask an introvert to come up with a solution.  Just be sure to not rush the process.  After all, we will want to write it out and revise it a number of times before submitting it for your consideration.

(3) How do you mentor someone who seems to hesitate with each suggestion you make?  With a great deal of patience and belief we will eventually respond.  That response may be in the form of questions or a counter idea.  DON’T push.  Pushing us builds a wall between us.  Accept us where we are and we will tenaciously begin to grow.  Once we choose a path, we will blossom.  Finding that path, however, may take time.

I have watched very reserved individuals bloom into energetic and profound speakers as members of Toastmasters.  These individuals still carefully watch what is going on before jumping into the fray but now they have learned how to hold their own against “a world that can’t stop talking” as Ms. Cain noted.  Therefore, I think that many keynote speakers we are so privileged to hear, began as shy, quite, aloof introverts. They choose their path. They had mentors who understood and worked with the introvert's personality traits to guide them through their Toastmasters journey.  I believe they have deep conversations with their chosen few.  They put their ideas in writing and then they forge ahead. 

            

So if you happen to be an introvert, come join us.  There are more us in Toastmasters than you think.  After all, the next time you sit down beside someone, you may just be sitting next to an introvert OR they may be!

             

What $1.90 a Day for 180 Days Can Buy You

What $1.90 a Day for 180 Days Can Buy You

by Setma Maddox, DTM

It is often a struggle to pay and make time for the D25 Toastmaster Conferences held in May (spring) and November (fall) each year.  Admittedly, for several years, my business has taken me out of town the weekend of the Spring Conference, but I have made it a point to regularly attend the Fall Conference.  Why do I set aside $1.90 a day for 180 days in order to attend one conference?  

Well let’s start with how I got started going to the conferences.

            

When I first joined Afterburners, the club leadership was very active at the district level and strong advocates for getting as much out of toastmasters as possible.    So when I joined in March of 1999, I was “voluntold” that I was helping with the registration at the Spring Conference.  Not knowing what to expect but knowing that I had been given a position to uphold, I showed up at the appointed time.  I thought what can happen to me by handing out name badges and whatever else I was told to give out.  Was I surprised!

              

Immediately I was recognized as a first timer.  Trust me, the district leadership takes great care to insure that those attending a conference for the first time get to the current and past leaders as well as learn lots about toastmasters that you may never get to know with club only exposure.  There is so much more in the world of toastmasters --- no spoiler alerts here because you need to experience it for yourself!

            

Then Brenda Daniels, who for years was in charge of decorations at the conferences, asked me to help her with at a Fall conference.  I followed her around years after that doing as I was told but also taking time to meet new people.  So far, I can say I have enjoyed in depth conversations with three World Companions of Public Speaking, six district governors, three international presidents, and numerous individuals making differences in people’s lives.  I can count several of these individuals among my list of friends.  I would never have met them if it wasn’t for toastmasters and attending conferences. 

            

Another reason for attending conferences is that I get to hear and observe a minimum of four keynote speakers, plus enjoy the district speaking contests.  This Fall Conference we watch six extraordinary speakers give their humorous speeches and all were excellent.  I am glad I was a judge this time because it was a very close contest!  It isn’t often that I get to laugh until my sides hurt, but this contest was definitely side-splitting!

            

Attending educational sessions is amongst the top reasons I like to attend the conferences.  I get new perspectives on topics that sometimes I have been struggling with as a toastmaster.  It is also a place that lets you ask questions of presenters and follow up with them if their topic is something you really want to know more about.  This Fall, I talked to three authors I have been following for awhile on Face book  and on their blogs.  In particular, I was gifted with the opportunity to sit for three hours in the Hospitality Lounge (yes there is a place to unwind), and talk with my friend Maurice Taitt, past district governor and class act gentleman.  He gave me many pointers for pursuing a future in writing; something he has been encouraging me to do for years. Nowhere else could I have these opportunities in as safe an environment as a toastmasters conference. 

            

The cost of the conference has been $125 for a full registration plus room costs which the district negotiates with the hotel for block pricing to reduce the cost to attendees.  You can choose not to attend the Friday night dinner or even the Saturday morning breakfast, but then you lose some of the opportunities to network with new people and catch up with old friends.  The $1.90 is less than a Starbucks coffee and the benefits I reap from attending a conference are far more satisfying.

The next conference is May 1-2, 2015.

Check www.d25toastmasters.org website around January for details.

Start saving today and I’ll see you there!

Side-Splitting Laughs, Friends, and Intellectual Pursuits

Side-Splitting Laughs, Friends, and Intellectual Pursuits

By Setma Maddox, DTM

 November 14-15, 2014 marked the 54^th Toastmasters Conference that Brenda Daniels has attended throughout her 28 years as a toastmaster.  Along with Brenda, Rose Timmons, and myself represented Afterburners Club 6191.  We were treated with side-splitting laughs as we listened to the humorous speech contestants deliver their speeches, we caught up with old friends, attended educational sessions, and attended the semi-annual district business meeting. 

          

I know it is hard to find the time away from family (you can bring them along), and the money ($1.90 a day for 180 days – see my additional blog), but the time away from the humdrum of our daily lives twice a year, the connecting with new and old friends, and learning something new is priceless. 

            

Because we attended this Fall Conference, the three of us have a different perspective of “Meeting the Boy”; of TSA Security at the airport, of how “Toastmasters Changes Your Life”, and how mother’s advice is well worth heeding.  We also heard how challenges can actually be opportunities to bigger and better things.  We learned why Toastmasters advocates “Know Your Audience” when we sat through an educational session in which the presenter tried his best to fit his sales training program to the needs of retaining club members.  

            

Rose, Brenda, and I had a great time.  We missed you.  Let’s plan on you attending the Spring conference May 1-2, 2015. 

The Afterburners Toastmaster Speak-A-Thon

Last night's Speak-A-Thon was a great success!!

We heard wonderful speeches last night from some spectacular speakers!  We heard an inspirational and motivational speech by our newest member, Pablo Villenueva as well as a great speech from Aileen Hummel about the 99s club which is a private club for female pilots.  Danny McKesson told  us all about his dream to be in a real demolition derby and he did not disappoint.  Bill Erwin told us all about his TLD (Tall Like Dad) syndrome and Jim Hummel spoke about Israel and the different religions that live there.  Richard Patton spoke about who he was and what his life has been like up to this point and gave us some geneaology to boot while Jennifer Frank finished it up with a speech about her success in quitting smoking.  Not only was this a speech to inspire the audience, which she hopes it did, it was also her 10th and final speech of the Competent Communicator's manual and she received her CC badge!!!  W00T!!

We had so much fun and even had some visitors.  We also inducted a new member, Danielle Dubose and Jennifer Frank's brother Mike Talbert and her parents, Elaine and Mack Talbert.  We had a fabuloso time and plan on many more wonderful speeches at Afterburners Toastmasters.


On Saturday, September 6th, we will be having our District 25 Banquet at the Ridglea Country Club at 6:30 PM.

"Celebrating Greatness with Gratitude"

Attend this once-a-year awards banquet and celebrate the success of individual members and clubs during the 2013-2014 year. Also come help us bid farewell as we honor our Immediate Past District Governor Dean Lampman and reflect on the success of the past year.

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Host Chair:  Mary Walker
Dress: Semi-Formal - Dinner and Program $35

Ridglea Country Club

3700 Bernie Anderson Ave.

Fort Worth, 76116

Doors Open 6:00 p.m. - Banquet Begins 6:30 p.m.

Register by August 20th  - $30/person
After August 27th - $35/person

SEATING IS LIMITED!! - No Reserved Seats

On Saturday, September 9th, we are having our Humorous Speech and Evaluation contest!

 

 

We hope to see many new faces this coming Tuesday and this night will surely not disappoint!  There will be so many funny speeches, your sides will be splitting and your cheeks will be hurting from so much smiling and laughing!  This is truly one of my favorite events.  :-)

 

So that is the happenings at the Afterburners group.  I hope to see everyone next week at our next meeting!

 



Riding the Wave

It was my pleasure to attend the District 25 Spring Conference this year to Ride The Wave.  It was so impressive to hear all the wonderful stories from the keynote speakers.  Each one was so enthusiastic and eager to share their secret to becoming a leader and how Toastmasters provides the platform to refine the skills to be a leader.  The educational sessions were outstanding, but the opportunity to meet the other members of Toastmasters groups throughout this enormous District 25 was the best part of the weekend!  Every Area, Division, and District officer opens their arms to you and stands ready to support you and nurture your needs.  Any problem presented is met with solutions.  The positive energy at these conferences is electrifying!

Saturday night we honored the Dignitaries and those earning Distinguished Toastmasters level.  It was my honor to escort Steven Timmons, Division A Governor.  Not only has Steven served as Area and Division Governor, he hails from our own Afterburners Club.  I see how a home club acts as an incubator to build successful leaders — in Toastmasters and all other areas of life.

I am so proud to be a member of the Afterburners Club.  It creates an environment that can fulfill every member's goals.  Two years ago when I joined, I struggled to speak in front of any group (sweaty palms!).  But with their mentoring and encouragement, I entered a contest and actually won!  My first round of applause had me hooked!  I have entered almost every competition since.  None of this would be possible without the love and support of my own little incubator, Afterburners.

Laura Stewart
President

What Afterburners Means to Me

I joined Afterburners two years ago, as they were helping to form my "home club" of Tarrant County Toastmasters.

I enjoy the diversity of people and opinions, and appreciate the knowledge and experiences they share.  Their stories and friendship are inspirational, and I always look forward to networking with this fine group of individuals.

These folks have become an important part of my life.

Submitted by

Bill Erwin

More new members, more member inductions

Afterburners Toastmasters Club has been on a roller-coaster ride regarding membership this year and we are back on the upside of the ride.  With a few of our long-term members deciding to move along this year, it has left a bit of a gap in our club ranks starting into the last half of the Toastmasters year.  The good news is that we have been busy finding new Toastmasters to add to the club.

Tuesday, we were able to induct 4 of our newest members; Steve Lerma, Richard Patton, Jessica Redman, and our newest member who applied and was voted in during her very first Toastmasters meeting, Doryn Roy.  We will also get Claudia Mattil inducted at our very next opportunity.  Finally, we cannot overlook the return of one of our valued members, Vidya Krishnaswamy.

The club's base for 2012-2013 was 37 members and with the addition tonight we expect to end the year at 34 members, just a little shy of our club base for the year.  Still I have to call it a successful year for membership.  We have added several quality members that are starting their Toastmasters journey off at a quick step.  We had 2 of our newest members present their Icebreaker speeches at our last meeting.

We have not forsaken our club's alumni members.  We are extending an invitation to the club alumni to attend our 2nd Half 2013 Officer Installation at our next meeting on Tuesday, June 25th.  I am proud that Afterburners continues to focus on their membership even with the size of the club.  Membership is always a club's #1 concern and we should never lose our focus on building and maintaining a strong and vibrant club.

Steven Timmons

Afterburners, VP-Membership 2012-2013

The Value of Mentoring

The word ‘mentor’ originates from the story The Odyssey.  When the legendary character Odysseus is preparing to leave for the Trojan War he places his good friend Mentor in charge of his son Telemachus.  Knowing that he would likely be gone for years (albeit his adventures lasted even longer than he expected), Odysseus had to be extremely precise in picking the man he would trust to look after his son.  Odysseus was essentially choosing who he felt would best replica of a father figure for his only son; who would help his son develop from a boy into a man.  This is where we derive our word mentor: “A wise and trusted advisor”.

Yet despite the significant origin of this word, the responsibility is treated as a side thought.  All too often mentors will utter this worthless statement “Let me know how I can help”.  In one simple sentence the so-called mentor has shifted all responsibility on to the shoulders of their mentee, and effectively demolished the words' worth.  Mentors assume that their mentees will always come to them for help and that growth will just happen on its own, but this couldn’t be further from the truth, nor could it be more disconcerting.  If you choose to accept the responsibility of being a mentor, then you should act like one worthy of the word’s origin.

While mentoring is important in many areas of our life, we as Toastmasters must be especially aware of how mentoring can impact our club and its members.  Here is how mentoring can make an impact:

Member Retention

·         Dedication to better mentoring will show members that the club cares about their growth and development; creating a better sense of community

·         Overall club satisfaction will improve through the better sense of community

·         Members will develop better which will solidify their purpose for joining Afterburners

·         Mentors will be accountable for someone aside from themselves

New Members

·         Another way of showing new members that Toastmasters care about their success and helping them achieve their personal/professional goals

·         It will provide them extra confidence knowing that they have someone to lead, support, and advise them

·         They will have a specific someone who understands their unique needs; who knows how best to encourage and motivate them

Member Activity

·         Mentees will be more likely to step into roles as the mentor encourages them

·         Mentors will become more involved in the club as they take on active mentoring roles

·         Mentors will also improve better as leaders and speakers – sometimes the best way to learn is to teach

There is a lot that goes into serving as a mentor, and there is no ceiling for improvement, but if you are new to the position here are a few simple steps you can take to improve:

·         The biggest step towards improvement one can make is simply to care; care about the mentee's development as much as you care about your own.  This will naturally translate into improved mentoring

·         Learn about why your mentee joined Toastmasters in the first place.  The better you understand their needs and goals, the better you will be able to help them.

·         Be proactive with your mentee; don’t wait for them to come to you with questions.  Be willing to ask them questions about what they’re experiencing.  Ask them about their upcoming speech, whether there are any specific leadership roles they would like to take, and freely offer advice and encouragement after their speeches.

·         The biggest difference between a mentor and a mentee is that the mentor has experienced a number of lessons and situations that the mentee has not.  By simply sharing these experiences with the mentee, and discussing what can be learned from them the mentee can gain significant knowledge beyond their more limited experiences.

The value of mentoring is significant, so if you choose to take a role as a mentor within your club, take it seriously.  Don’t treat it like taking the role of timer or vote counter at your weekly meeting, the role of a mentor carries much more weight.  While we may not have the same amount of responsibility in Toastmasters that Mentor had in raising Telemachus, we must treat the opportunity to mentor with the same amount of respect.

You should give it a try!

What a journey it has been! I remember when I first joined Afterburners in June of 2010, I felt that this club could really nurture me and help me grow. Working with people was and still is my great passion, I always admire them for their achievements and it makes me push my own limits and strive to reach my own goals.

It was May of 2011 when the nominating committee asked me if I would be willing to serve as one of the club officers. A little bit hesitant and intimidated, but I said, "Yes I can give it a try". Soon I was elected as the club's VP Membership and agreed to serve for the whole year term. It was such a wonderful experience doing my duties, which includes answering guests' inquiries about the club, and greeting them when they come in and visit our meetings. I'll always remember those reactions when they first saw a chair reserved for them and their name printed on a table tent card! Those little gestures spoke for themselves and made them felt welcome even before I was able to shake their hands.

Do you think I'd already had enough?  A year after I stepped up as the VP Education for a 6 month term. Doing this, another rewarding role of working with my fellow members, really made me very proud of being part of this organization, particularly with this club. Proud enough and wanted to grow more, so, I ran for another term.

I have had several conversations with fellow club members, thanking me for my contributions to this club which I strongly believe that everyone should give it a try even if they are new to the organization.

Now, I just to want say, "Thank You!" It has been my pleasure and honor to have served you all, and I am grateful that I tried.

Submitted by Rose Timmons

Life begins outside your comfort zone

Last autumn, my supervisor invited folks at my workplace to participate in a personality assessment called DISC, which is an acronym for the four personalities it represents:  dominance, influence, steadiness, and conscientiousness.  My assessment results placed me solidly in the conscientiousness category.  The bottom line is that I am most comfortable when I can work within existing circumstances to ensure quality and accuracy – I am a perfectionist. 

While this personality type has many beneficial qualities, it also means that I tend to avoid risk and live in my comfort zone.  That can be limiting, and because I am aware of the weakness, I MUST constantly strive to stretch myself and take on roles outside of my comfort zone.  Often my richest and most rewarding life experiences come from time spent outside that comfort zone.

If this rings true for you as well, here are two recommendations to help your next Toastmasters trip outside the comfort zone come easier.

Align yourself with an accomplished mentor who can help you overcome weaknesses

I was immediately assigned a mentor when I joined Afterburners and it gave me a critical boost of confidence.  My mentor—Jodie—wasted no time in prompting me to volunteer for club roles and begin working on my next speech.  Most importantly, she told me to always have a speech in my figurative pocket. 

For someone like me, whose tendency is to approach new situations slowly and methodically, figuring everything out before I make a move, Jodie’s gentle insistence that I take on roles sooner rather than later was just the encouragement that I needed.  This paid off recently when my travel arrangements changed and allowed me to attend a meeting where I was not on the schedule, and bad weather kept one of our scheduled speakers from attending.  The Toastmaster of the day asked if I could fill in, and thanks to Jodie’s advice, I had a speech in my pocket.  I gave my speech and as usual, when it was over, realized that leaving my comfort zone was worth it yet again.  If you know you have a particular weakness, then align yourself with a mentor who can help you overcome it and flourish.

Choose a club with (or establish in your club) a system for encouraging leadership positions

It has also been my tendency to avoid taking on leadership roles before I understood the parameters, framework, or hierarchy into which I would be moving.  Fortunately, Afterburners is a club endowed with experienced Toastmasters who genuinely care about growing and developing new leaders.  Instead of waiting until I understood everything before volunteering for a club officer role, the current officers of  the club encouraged even the newest members to take on leadership roles – not because they are qualified to do them, but so that they can learn and become qualified in each topic area.

A few weeks ago, the outgoing VP Education for this term called me to ask if I would be interested in serving as VP Education next term.  My initial reaction was, “Oh my gosh, I’m not ready!”  But I recognized this habitual response as a weakness, and confronted it by saying yes.  Again, I find myself being stretched outside my comfort zone as I learn about and prepare to take on this new role.  But with practice, even that space outside your comfort zone becomes familiar and you learn to respond to and overcome your weakness. 

Go forth and begin life outside your comfort zone.

People and Passion for Development

What I like about Afterburners can be summed up in the club's motto: "We don't take ourselves seriously but we are serious about speaking." It is the interest in personal development and the people that keeps me coming to Afterburners' meetings. 

In the 11 years that I have been a club member. I have seen  members go from raw rookies to become accomplished speakers and to develop into leaders. Some have even gone on to achieve the coveted Distinguished Toastmasters designation not once but twice.

The club's dedication to the Toastmaster's development path has earned it the President's Distinguished designation numerous times. If you stay in Afterburners you can not help developing your speaking and leadership skills. I know I have.

Afterburners has fun people who are great people to be around. There is diversity in the club in skills, age, and backgrounds. Consequently there always are club speeches containing ideas that are fresh and interesting. And always there is someone that you can learn from.

Afterburners members are there for you. They were there for me seven years ago when I had a personal tragedy. And they were there for me on a recent occasion when I was Toastmaster for the evening. At the last minute, we had several members with meeting roles who could not be there. But that was no problem. Other members there quickly volunteered to take the available opportunities. 

I have been a member of four different Toastmasters clubs and attended the meetings of many more. None can match the experience of being an Afterburner. 

Afterburners - people and a passion for personal development. 

It takes a village...

An important lesson I gained at TM recently was the gracious assistance I received when I lost my place as general evaluator.  I remembered my first time as general evaluator about a year ago. My anxiety was high, very high. What a contrast to my most recent opportunity. Several members chimed in to guide me through the process. 

Gary Chiu befriended me when I first joined the club, and has continued to mentor me many times by sitting next to me and helping me understand the progressive flow of the meeting. I consider him a valuable and trusted friend.  I regard this process of learning in a friendly and supportive environment as a joyful growth experience.  

Many in the club are looking out for my growth, and urging me to keep going. This has been a rich experience for me, to err among trusted friends and become wiser for the effort.  I am constantly and consistently inspired by Holly who keeps pressing onward.  Her courage and determination are assets to the club, certainly a valuable lesson for me.  I make a point to reinforce my delight in her development with written feedback and words of encouragement.  

One who is always pushing, pulling, twisting, inviting, urging, supporting me, holding my feet to the fire is Rose, our VP-Education.  She treats me as a cherished adopted orphan, always directing me to growth opportunities.  

The week previous to my general evaluator outing, Jody unleashed a few table topics that facilitated much introspection. The respondents had to look deep inside to respond.  I was intent on listening. Wow!  I was drawn to see the tenderness in the hearts of my friends.  

May I give as much as I have received, if that be possible.    

Submitted by Jim Hummel