Volunteering at Toastmasters, say yes !!

Today I would like to share my journey as a volunteer with Toastmaster International with you.

I believe that everyone has so much more potential than they realize if they only have the courage and confidence to say yes while getting the support they need on their learning journey. I believe many people in the world feel burned out in their jobs or businesses, and you might be one of them? People might love their careers but can’t cope with the culture at work. Some people might think of changing their beloved careers, not realizing that they only need to change something small and not give up on their careers. Here is my journey with toastmasters for the last two years and making small changes as I continue exploring ways towards a more meaningful life for my family and me. Who knows what the future holds for us?

I only became active in Toastmaster in the year 2020. My chosen pathway in the Educational is called Dynamic Leadership, which I love. After visiting my club several times, I finally got the courage to do my ICE breaker speech. I felt so grateful and excited for this new learning journey that I was on, and I could not stop completing projects that led to me being awarded the Triple Crown award (see below). I am currently still on this pathway, achieving my level 4. I have learned so many new skills as part of this pathway, but one that stood out for me is the project from my current level, Called “Writing a compelling blog.” I won’t go into too much detail here, but if it were not for this project, you would not have been able to read this blog today. Not only have I learned how to blog, but I learned how to create this website, of which I am very proud. Who knows what this newfound skill could lead to in the future if I did not say YES!!

With a little extra time, I was fortunate enough to be offered the opportunity to serve as President of the Northern Star Toastmaster club for the years 2021 – 2022. Having had no prior experience or knowledge to help in any club officer role. Not knowing what the role entailed and how much time it would take from life, will I be able to still commit to my daily responsibilities? Etc. I felt anxious and terrified about the uncertainty that I was facing. But I was very familiar with this feeling, and I knew I had to say Yes !!

Our club started with seven base members, and we had to bring this up to 12 members. At the same time, we had to ensure that each member completed their projects in their pathway program. Achieving this means that we will achieve President Distinguish club status. Although some members were more committed than others, we still had to find ways to get more commitment from others and also ensure that they were getting the support they needed through training, etc., so that we could become a thriving club and an EXEC team. Today I am very proud and honored to announce that we achieved President Distinguished Club. (see picture below)

I believe that I was blessed to be able to do the pathway of Dynamic Leadership while serving as President of the Club. I learned much about myself in this role, especially my leadership and communication style. I will forever be grateful for everyone I have met and my mentors and coaches along this journey at Northern Stars Toastmaster club. I believe Northern Star Toastmasters has so much potential, not only for achieving future growth but to help each individual become whatever they desire to be. I think that every member at Northern Star is not only a Star themselves, but they are Stars who inspire others to become the light, the Northern Star, for those seeking a meaningful life filled with passion. I am very blessed to have worked with these individuals and so proud to see each of them taking the Northern Star Club further toward greatness. As my time in this role will end soon, I can’t wait to see how this club will add more value to Toastmasters International and the world.

To summarize my journey. It included a lot of self-development and awareness, so much so that I can now give you a little bit of who I am through this blog. I learned so much about team development and team dynamics etc. I also learned how to listen actively and ask questions to keep conversations going and steer these conversations. Mostly all of this would not have been possible had I not had the courage to say YES.

I know that you have the same courage. Now go out there, choose your battles, and stay the course. You can do it !!