Toastmistress Journey - Part 7

I was in Grade 11 and Vice-President of my Toastmistress Club.  I was still learning and still progressing.  One of the best things about the Wednesday evening meetings was that I got to wear "nice" clothes.  No one really wore jeans to meetings, so one day a week, I would wear a skirt or a dress, higher heels, and make-up.  It sounds silly but that was valuable learning.  Walking in heels and wearing make-up that was subtle yet professional were too great lessons.  The role of Vice-President was not that taxing. 

In the early of that year, a new couple moved to Dauphin.  She joined Toastmistress immediately.  She also joined literally every club and organization in Dauphin.  She had been a Toastmistress on the West Coast for many years and also she had been to an International Convention.  We were excited to have her.  And, then we weren't.  She knew everything, according to her.  We had other members join and rejoin after taking a break.  None of them changed the "culture" of our club.  She did.  It wasn't necessarily bad, but it was different.  Just a different tone.  It wasn't just our club.  Other organizations talked of the same phenomenon.  It just didn't seem to be the same supportive environment. 

I won the Speech Contest again that year, making it two years in a row. 

At our final meeting in June, I was installed as President of the Dauphin Toastmistress Club.  My birthday is in October so at the time, I was 16 years old.  The youngest Club President in history of International Toastmistress Clubs. I was featured in the summer issue of the International magazine. 

Shortly after, the organization folded.  I am sure that was just a coincidence. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

One of my saddest days in Winnipeg

Image
I felt compelled to attend an information meeting of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre.  Compelled because it will be, not in my neighbourhood, but in my City Ward.  Compelled after reading Bruce's story and his family's wish to make this recovery centre his legacy.  Compelled because of the opposition to this centre.  I wanted my voice to be a positive one. Since the land has already been rezoned, the BORC is going to happen and the meeting was to update the community on progress and get input on a few minor details.   I didn't realize that it would be one of the saddest days I have experienced in Winnipeg.   When I arrived, I experienced the "white people". They were people dressed in white who were there to oppose the Centre.  In order to get in to the community centre, I had to pass two "white people" who were at the door with placards in opposition.  It was intimidating.  They didn't deter anyone from entering but those signs didn'
Read more

There's Something from Jenny - Part 2

Image
I am trying to evolve as a blogger.  One of my friends told me that I needed to start adding my pictures to my blog so that people would know who they are communicating with.  So, good, bad, or ugly, I am adding my picture as much as I can.  It makes me feel vulnerable.  Not as vulnerable as I would feel if I was running for Mayor of a major Canadian city. I can't imagine how vulnerable I would feel, having every move and every word analyzed and taken out of context.  Perspective always defines your reality.  For example, I could tell you that I witnessed a murder by the Superstore last week.  That might bring up some powerful images in your mind.  Then, there would be those who know that a group of crows is called a murder.  That gives my previous statement have a whole different image in your mind.  So, when I spent an hour with Jenny Motkaluk that was my biggest impression.  She doesn't mind being vulnerable.  She just wants an opportunity to explain herself fully. That
Read more

Seriously? Opposition to BORC opening at old Vimy Arena Site

Image
I decided to go for a walk today.  It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  My quest was to understand the home owner's opposition to having the closed arena site being converted to a much needed addiction treatment facility.  I took some pictures on my phone and want to explain what I found out.  The first picture was taken while I was standing on the immense green space at the back of the old Vimy Arena.  You can see in the background what is the closest residential development.  It is a town house complex.  In order for someone who was participating in treatment at BORC to interact with someone living in the complex, they would have to walk and then cross a creek, and then get through the trees.  I would think the residents living in that complex would be more worried about the drainage pipe that leads on the creek.  I would be concerned about a wandering child being trapped in there.  The second picture is just a shot of all the green space al
Read more