From Reluctant Visitor to Distinguished Toastmaster!
From Reluctant Visitor to Distinguished Toastmaster!
Sometimes the most extraordinary journeys begin with a little encouragement — and a reluctant yes!
District 17 proudly congratulates Janice Schubert, DTM, on achieving the Distinguished Toastmaster award — the highest educational recognition in Toastmasters International, achieved by only a small proportion of members.
And to think, it all began with a rather persistent friend! As Janice recalls;
“My journey started in early 1990. I lived and worked on an island off Townsville, North Queensland. Every fortnight, I flew to Townsville to catch up with a friend.
Every visit, rather annoyingly, she would say, ‘You must come to Toastmasters with me!’
I didn’t want to go, but I knew my friend would continue to pester me, and I was running out of excuses. I decided to go, say it was good, but not for me.
I expected a Toastmasters meeting to be something like going back to school, except instead of handing in an assignment, you stood up in front of strangers and presented it verbally. That was a daunting thought!
But when I walked into the meeting, I was immediately greeted warmly by the members. I really enjoyed the structure — meeting procedures, impromptu speaking, prepared speeches and evaluations.
Most of all, I enjoyed meeting the members and listening to their stories.
From someone who didn’t want to attend a Toastmasters meeting, I became a member within a week!
Back then, the education program was based on a manual called Communication and Leadership. It consisted of 10 speeches. I figured that if I completed those 10 speeches, I would have achieved my goal.
However, with the encouragement and support of fellow Toastmasters, those 10 speeches turned into a much longer journey. The goalposts kept changing, and I kept growing, eventually reaching the pinnacle — achieving my Distinguished Toastmaster award.
I say to you all, go for your goals, and may they grow as mine have.“
Congratulations, Janice Schubert, DTM! Your achievement is an inspiration and a wonderful reminder of how far a Toastmasters journey can take us.
Where might your Toastmasters journey lead you?
