Embrace the Journey: Help Where You Can

Screen shot of members 

 Lately, I have been wondering, “Why do I keep doing Toastmasters? There’s too many problems!"

In Four Seasons Toastmasters, we've already had two Presidents this year. Most recently, President Karen died suddenly. If it's not leadership, it's membership. So I ask myself, "Why do I keep doing this? Does anybody care about those minutes I do every Friday? I’m proud to get them up on our Toastmaster Blog so maybe that's enough. Hmmm. I’m actually challenged to see how interesting I can make them and how quickly  I can post  them. I sometimes get supportive feedback too." 

Screen share visual

This is it! Last week, member Julie Burch did her speech on why she does Toastmasters. I agree.  Challenge, Community, and Confidence. Those reasons top my list too. Like many organizations during Covid 19, we haven't met in person for two years. Zoom has been a challenge to learn and many don't like it. I'm still learning tricks to get on, screen share and perform roles. It's different. 

As with anything, Zoom has it's place and there are things I really like about it. I appreciate the extra minutes we don't have to drive to the meeting. On the other hand, the Community element has  suffered. Surprisingly, we inducted six new members just last week. 

The meeting still energizes me.  It's like an elixir. I feel energized, buoyant, and anticipate what I'm going to do next. Friday is a great day after a Toastmaster beginning.

 

  Recipients of Pathways achievements

Whether I'm speaking, being Toastmaster, evaluating or telling a joke, I have fun. It’s in those moments that I’m reminded  why I care. I like the sense of accomplishment I feel. I like learning new things too. Where else would I have had cause to learn about blogging or how I appear doing a speech on zoom. Don't even get me started on screen sharing! 

After mentally fussing, I realize, “Okay, I do want to stay involved. I can help keep it viable. A new challenge will be good for me. I'll get our new members involved as officers. I'll try to keep it fun and lively too." 

With that mental adjustment, I acknowledge that Stan needs help. Not so subtly, he asked me, “Have you thought about what role you might do next year?” That’s the prompt that started my mental jousting. After several years of holding things together, he said, “I’m ready to stop doing what I’ve been doing.”

My 'Why' - Being Helpful

I confess to fretting more when I see things not going well. That feeling is magnified when I know I can help. I find that managed stress is a good thing. With good people helping me I feel confident we can do something good. I’ll practice what I know about organizational leadership. The first rule is WIIFM, “What’s in it for me".  Focus on helping members do what makes them feel good. 

I suppose, “What’s in it for me” is feeling good about helping do something I don’t mind doing. I need a good reason to sharpen my leadership tools and I think others in the club will willingly follow. My nature is to take charge and do stuff that needs to be done. Besides, it will feed the cognitive part of my brain!