It Takes a Village

My Journey to Earning a Second DTM

When I started with Toastmasters, I never envisioned earning not one but two such awards. The first was under the legacy program and now this one is under the Pathways program.
One thing I have learned is that no Toastmaster can achieve their DTM alone, as it takes a village to raise a Toastmaster.

My DTM Committee at the Anniversary celebration. Left to right: Yvonne Gage, Sharon Spaargaren, me, Grant Spicer and Andrea Makortoff. Yvonne Gage, Sharon Spaargaren, me, Grant Spicer and Andrea Makortoff.
Kim Lougas presenting my DTM plaque to me at Big Rock meeting.

There are 6 requirements.

  1. Complete two unique learning paths. – Without the support of my home club, Big Rock Pioneer Toastmasters and other clubs where I gave speeches, this requirement could not have been met. The evaluations I received allowed me to grow as a speaker. I thank both the clubs and the evaluator for this gift.
  2. Serve as a club officer for 12 months. I have been my club executive many times. I chose to use the 2020-2021 VP Education position as the one I would put forward for this award. I believe that this is the busiest position and forces you to really learn the program. Thank you to all those who provided me with challenging questions.
  3. Serve successfully as a club sponsor or conduct a Speechcraft or Youth Leadership program. I sponsored High River Toastmasters in 2016. However, the work started long before the charter date. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Gail Sherley who helped me deliver flyers in a snowstorm; for my co-sponsor Matt Fox for being there when I couldn’t be and for staying on as a resource long after the sponsorship requirement was met; for the two mentors – Mark Bernard and Linda Vanneste who supported this club for months before they needed to; for Sharon Bernard for being there just to provide support and encouragement, to the team who assisted with the Demonstration meeting as well as Jocelyn Hastie for volunteering to be the first club President. I used the start-up of the club as an HPL project and would like to thank Christina Kruis and my other committee members for sticking with me as it took 9 months to charter this club. I often joke that this was my baby and that a real one might have happened quicker but perseverance pays off.
  4. Serve as a district officer for one year. I was the Division D Director in 2023-2024. The number of people who assisted me in giving training, organizing contests and encouraging me when the goals looked far away and unattainable should also be receiving this award. I thank my fellow Division Directors (Irma, Lynnette, Leena, Chelsea and Neha) for all the support they provided. Most importantly, my four Area Directors were instrumental in the Division reaching Distinguished Status. Words cannot express my appreciation for their dedication and hard work even when it “wasn’t part of the job description”. Thank you, Jovana, Lillian, Mike and Tess.
  5. Serve successfully as a club mentor or coach. I was one of the two mentors for Schneider Electric Calgary. Thanks, must be given to Brian and Brad who recruited me. Laura, the club sponsor; and Vesna, the club sponsor and mentor were both instrumental in getting this club off the ground. Thank you to you both for sharing your knowledge and experience.
  6. Complete the DTM project. My project was the 20th Anniversary Celebration for Big Rock Pioneer Toastmasters. I thank the club for both the moral and financial support, and my committee – Andrea, Grant, Sharon, and Yvonne, without whose help I couldn’t have accomplished the celebration.

As I said, it takes a village to raise a DTM and I thank all who contributed in any way, large or small, for having helped me achieve this milestone in my Toastmasters journey. Hopefully, I can make you all proud by helping others achieve their goals.

Shelley Hoye, DTM
District Leadership Committee Member

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