Determined to Make a Difference

I first joined Toastmasters to learn how to convince my Director to listen to my ideas.  No matter how I shared ideas with her, she just wasn’t listening to me!  I wanted to make a difference, to make improvements, to make impactful changes.  I realized soon after joining Toastmasters, to have more influence, I needed a leadership position, but to get a leadership position, I quickly found out, I needed to have more leadership experience.  Fortunately, in Toastmasters and other volunteer organizations, there is an ABUNDANCE of leadership opportunities! 

I recently completed my second Distinguished Toastmaster designation, my first one in the Pathways program.  I had originally planned to submit for my second DTM on the traditional program and was more than halfway there, but as soon as Pathways was implemented, I was hooked and eager to rid myself of paper manuals!   I recycled my manuals but kept the knowledge.

Pathways Implementation – May 2018

My Pathways DTM journey began in earnest in May 2018, when District 42 rolled out the new program.  At the time, I was Program Quality Director for District 42 and was responsible for overseeing the implementation of Pathways in our District, along with Chief Ambassador, Chuck Leblanc.  In preparation for the roll out, we recruited 28 leaders to be Ambassadors and Guides to help support clubs and members with the transition.  I felt that it was appropriate for myself, as a District leader, to fully embrace the Pathways program and I sure did, learning alongside everyone else in the District.  That team was amazing, and I learned so much that year about training and coaching people through technology changes and in leadership.  These are skills and learnings we took into supporting the District when the pandemic hit and I took into my organization to continue to adapt our training and event facilitation to the virtual platforms.

Paths – Effective Coaching and Motivational Strategies

These paths very much helped me to become a better leader and influencer at work.  When I began the Paths, I was an improvement consultant in my organization, helping leaders and teams across our organization continuously improve.  I had no title or authority over the people I worked with; they didn’t have to listen to or follow me, but the strategies in these paths helped me build more effective teams and better relationships with team members.  Some of my favourite projects were Understanding Emotional Intelligence, Leading in a Volunteer Organization, Lessons Learned, and Make Connections Through Networking. 

Pathways Mentoring Program

What a pleasant bonus module this turned out to be!  I still utilize the resources from this program and have utilized mentors for all my leadership roles, in Toastmasters and outside Toastmasters.  I even have a mentor for my role as Region 4 Advisor this year. 

DTM Project

I utilized my Pathways DTM project to take Toastmasters into my Real World by working with a team of volunteers from the Lean Practitioners Association of Saskatchewan (LPAS) to develop a schedule of Monthly Learning Events for our members.   

To see more of my leadership and pathways journey, check out this replay of my presentation from the District 42 2022 Spring Conference – Make Toastmasters Work for You

Take everyone Opportunity you can, make it count

There is no shortage of opportunities in Toastmasters!  And you get guidance, training, coaching and mentoring along the way.  One of the people in my workplace who introduced me to Toastmasters said “Yes, Toastmasters is great, I learned a lot about presenting.  But they will try to get you to take on more roles outside the club, go to training, help at speech contests, be a part of the Executive, just say “no”!”  Boy, am I ever glad I didn’t listen to her!  Just say “Yes” to leadership training, just say “Yes” to learning from more people, just say “yes” to developing your leadership skills and influence as a Club Coach, Club Sponsor, Club Mentor, Speechcraft, Coordinator, Youth Leadership Coordinator, Area Director, Division Director, District Executive, Region Advisor… “Yes PLEASE!”. 

Just keep track of everything you do in Toastmasters!  As one of my club mentors always says “Don’t do anything without credit”, don’t do a speech without getting evaluated, don’t do a role without a project, etc.  Here is a link to a copy of the “6 Steps to DTM worksheet”, initially developed by Brad Korbo and I’ve modified it to focus on the recording skills developed.

Today, I am making a difference.  In Toastmasters, in my workplace and in my community.  Now as Director of Strategic Improvement, it is my responsibility to ensure our team members’ and customers’ ideas for improvement get heard and acted upon.  Just say “Yes” and you too can make a difference.

Catherine Secundiak, DTM
Region Advisor 2021-2023,
Region 4   (Supporting Districts 6, 42, 64, 99 and 106)