by Joyce Trimble DTM Area 34 Director
There is a profound sense of fulfillment when an event unfolds exactly as envisioned, leaving everyone delighted to have been a part of it. However, let’s be realistic – perfection isn’t always attainable. Yet, in those moments where things deviate from the plan, there lies an opportunity for growth and learning. And that, in its essence, is always perfect.
Reflecting on my experiences coordinating district events over the past 11 or 12 years, they typically fall into two categories:
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- I want to experience something new
- I want to repeat the experience for FUN.
I recall my first stint as Toastmaster for a club contest. I was a bundle of nerves, striving for perfection through relentless practice. Fast forward, and I found myself accidentally accepting Area Contest Chair instead of Toastmaster. Despite initial panic, I embraced the challenge as a chance to evolve. Introducing the role of Briefing Chair and enlisting Greg Pick’s assistance, I learned the value of creativity in problem-solving. This lesson proved invaluable when I later took on the role of Division B Contest Chair, where I unleashed my creativity to craft a themed event, “On Stage Live”. The agenda included the starring cast members (contestants). Certificates of Participation and Appreciation were replaced with CertifiCAKES. The participants received coffee mugs packaged with mug cake mixture. I learned two TM Life Lessons. Chairing events qualifies for required projects on the TM journey AND I learned the FUN of my leadership journey. The Division B Contest counted towards my first DTM. Part of that project was to engage new members for all of the helper roles. At each area contest I reached out to new faces and asked them to help. I found my FUN: “Finding Untapped Novices” (some might say Unsuspecting Novices but that’s another article).
Chairing events for FUN isn’t just about personal enjoyment; it’s an avenue to empower others in their leadership journey. By engaging Christine Ontiveros early on as my contest chair this year, I not only fulfilled my duties as the Area 34 Director but also facilitated her growth.
There are myriad ways to infuse FUN into our Toastmasters journey. For instance, identifying novice Toastmasters who’ve completed a level 2 in Pathways can be a gateway to discovering untapped talent. By reaching out and offering them opportunities to contribute, we can nurture future leaders like Shameika McAllister and Jai Irwin.
The key takeaway? Embrace opportunities with a resounding YES, embracing the journey of learning, growing, and defining your own brand of FUN as a D25 Event Chair!
