PLANNING FOR THE NEW YEAR

January invites us to make a new start in many aspects of our lives. As a current Toasmaster, or someone considering joining, you're encouraged to remember your personal goals and set a realistic timeline in which to move towards the success you are capable of achieving.

American poet Edith Lovejoy Pierce once said, "We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."

If you're a Stoneroad member, review your manuals, talk to your mentor or mentee and email Terri with your January plans. If you're not a member, drop in to see what we're up to.

SERVICE THROUGH LEADERSHIP

"We is stronger than me." - Baldev Arora

It was a husband and wife duo on Dec. 15 with Baldev Arora as chairman and wife Bani presenting the Education portion of the meeting. Bani drew the members' attention to the Leadership Manual and highlighted the fact that developing leadership skills is an important aspect of the Toastmasters Program. To illustrate the leadership style the Toastmasters philosophy promotes Bani compared Authoritarian Leadership, which is focused on ego, to Team Leadership, such as Toastmasters, which is focused on Team Goals.

AUTHORITARIAN TEAM

controls everything encourages participation

makes all decisions facilitates problem solving

discourages comm.        facilitates communication

tells people what to do persuades people to act

punishes mistakes tolerates mistakes

discourages growth helps members grow

The benefits of Team Leadership can apply to work situations as well as volunteer organizations. The efficiency and positive nature of Team Leadership increases productivity, and reduces costs. It also improves the quality of the produce or service, the work atmosphere and the company or community.

Members were encouraged to focus on meeting the goals in their Leadership Manuals and ere reminded that their responsibility as Toastmasters is to;

- attend meetings regularly

- take on roles at meetings

- bring a friend

- give a constructive evaluation

- help create a supportive environment

RENEW YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOURSELF

"There's a difference between interest and commitment. 

When you're interested in doing something, 

you do it only when circumstances permit. 

When you're committed to something 

you accept no excuses, only results." 

This inspirational quotation is attributed to Art Turock, a highly regarded motivational speaker who specializes in business issues. His insight, however, can readily be applied to Toastmasters membership.

We all joined Toastmasters for a reason, take a moment to revisit your motivation. Has it changed? Have your expectations been fully realized? Are you acting upon it? If you find that the consistency of your meeting attendance is slipping, analyze the causes. Life does get busy, other obligations demand your attention, but can you set aside some time for your personal growth?

Remind yourself what Toastmasters offers you. Recall the laughter and how the day's worries are forgotten. Review the many indicators of your skill development, and the hopes you held for further enrichment. Recall the warmth of support that permeates Toastmaster's meetings.

Check your calendar and mark in Mondays at 7:00 pm. The Stone Road Toastmasters will continue their meeting schedule, without interruption, through the holiday season. Make a New Year's resolution to fill your seat at the Toastmaster's table.