Candidates Desired District Office: Club Growth Director for 2021-22
Toastmasters member since: 2015
Education: BA-History, MDiv.–Theology, M.A.–Special Education
Coach Training: Accomplishment Coaching, 2015
Employer/Position: Unleash the Flow Coaching & Consulting, Owner & Coach
Toastmasters Club Offices held or holding: President, VPE, VPPR, Treasurer
Current Toastmasters Clubs: #4308 Port Gardner Bay Gabbers TM, #935392 Leading Edge Advanced TM, as a sponsor working to launch & be a member of Prism Lightworkers Advance TM
Toastmasters Education Awards: DTM 2015, EC Level at present
Toastmasters District Offices held: Area Director 2017-18, Division Director-Select Distinguished 2018-19
Other District 2 Positions: Club Coach/Mentor/Sponsor 2016-Present, Spring Conference Sponsorship Chair & Facilities Chair 2018, D2 Digital Task Force Co-lead 2020, Advanced Training Chair 2020-21
Toastmasters Honors & Recognition: D2 VPE of the Year 2016-17, D2 Shining Star Award 2020, D2 District Directors Award 2020
What is your experience as a Club Sponsor/Mentor/Coach?
I have had two experiences as a club sponsor. The first was taking over for a sponsor who withdrew. The company then started going through layoffs and downsizing that led to most of those who were interested, leaving the company. This club did not charter. I am now sponsor for an upcoming advanced club that will charter this summer. I have supported other new clubs and sponsors with coaching and speaking. I have served as new club mentor once. That was a learning experience for me and the club. As club coach I had the honor of team coaching, that then led to the club being earning the 2019-20 Phoenix Club and President of the Year.
Why Do you want to be Club Growth Director?
Much of my life has been about supporting others to be and live their highest. When I became a Toastmaster, I learned I would be supported in the same way and that I could continue to support other Toastmasters, even entire clubs, in that same calling. I just feel called to support the world in being and living their highest. I feel called to lead. And leading has been much of my life. Becoming Club Growth Director allows me to combine both callings to benefit all in District 2.
What is your leadership experience outside of Toastmasters?
I served as pastor of two churches with paid and volunteer staff. Each of these taught me a great deal about being a more listening, supportive, inspirational leader. In Kansas City, MO I became plant manager of a startup industrial recycling company working with very different personality types on the job and also working with inner city youth in a summer jobs program with our company. . As a Special Education teacher, I worked with multiple disabilities and all school ages in hand with district and school staff along with volunteers and student interns. I served on both district and school level committees. In my last 5 years as a teacher I was also in paid positions as Special Education Department Lead of a large high school and as the Freshman Class Adviser. It was in these years that I worked in partnership with the school district and campus administration to develop a student intern program that saw interns, through experience in various Special Education Classroom, become doctors, health care workers, teachers, para professionals, care takers, parents, adoptive parents, firefighters, and more.
What is your volunteer experience outside of Toastmasters?
I volunteer at my church starting in the seventh grade in various capacities working with children. During college I volunteered at the Methodist Children’s Home and the Ruston State School in Ruston, LA. This continued with Special Olympics and the Jaycees while in Louisiana. In Kansas City I volunteered in churches, in hospitals as a chaplain, and with the Baptist Children’s home training perspective foster adoptive and adoptive parents. During my time in Washington, I have volunteered in schools as a Watch Dog and other positions in schools. I also volunteered through the Mukilteo Chamber of Commerce. I currently am a volunteer satellite leader with the Washington State Chapter of the International Coaching Federation. The Pandemic has stopped my volunteering in schools unfortunately. I am looking forward to the end of the Pandemic to return to the schools.
What strengths do you bring to Club Growth Director?
I bring 40 years of leadership experience in mistakes and the growth I had from those mistakes. I am a listening supportive leader. I can size up a problem and see possible solutions. My leadership includes churches, schools, professional organizations, volunteer organizations, and family. I know Toastmasters club officer roles and district officer roles. Since becoming Area Director in 2016 I have continually worked on in positions and on projects at the district level with five different Trio Teams. I have spent that time watching and learning what it takes to lead a district.
Additional Information about the candidate:
Married 36 plus years to Tammy. 3 Adult Children – all adopted as older children from foster care, 5 Grandchildren with 2 more due in November. I lived most of my adult life thriving over depression. I am also a PTSD survivor and thriver from being a teacher at MPHS the day of the mass shooting. Having adoptive children brought on dealing with mental health in children and teens. All giving me a unique perspective on mental health. I enjoy travel, hiking, reading, and cooking. I consider myself a life-long learner. I am a National Guard veteran. My sweet spot is a beach and the water.