My Toastmasters’ Journey

It was in June of 1999. One of my work colleagues approached me to ask if I was interested in attending a toastmasters meeting at the newly established club at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (where I was working) called FedMasters. I had no idea what Toastmasters was all about, but I went anyway. That first meeting had an everlasting impression on me. It was one of those typical “Moments of the Truth” Meetings with no pressure to join. I wanted to become a member that first day, but I had to wait for the next meeting. It was club policy for guests not to join at their first meeting to ensure that Toastmasters was a good fit.

Subsequent meetings were very friendly and conducted in a self-supporting and self-paced environment, with NO teacher-student type relationship or strict curriculum to follow. Thanks to the support of my mentor and my club colleagues, I progressed from being a member to becoming a club officer (including club president), then serving as a District officer at multiple levels (Area and Division Governor, Lt. Governor of Education and Training and a District 66 Governor).

Why did I stay and continue my Toastmasters’ Journey? I realized that Toastmasters not only sharpens your communications and speaking skills, but I also discovered that the Leadership track is just as crucial to my personal and professional development. The steps of success and recognition that I have achieved during my District Journey prompted me to continue with my TM journey. I have had the honor of being named the Toastmaster of the Year, Area Governor of the Year, and Division Governor of the Year. I was also awarded the Excellence in Education and Training award during my tenure as the District Governor. I led District 66 to a Select Distinguished Status in 2006, finishing 11th in the WORLD among almost 90 Districts around the globe.

Armed with my designation as a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) that I obtained in 2004, the belief that “SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS” as well as “NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS,” it was now time for me to serve as an International Director representing our region and our organization. I ran a successful campaign in 2008 and was elected at the International Level to serve as an International Director, sitting with my colleagues on the Toastmasters International Board of Directors shaping the future of our organization. It was a continuation of my Toastmasters leadership journey that started with the first step of building my self-confidence and communications skills, to becoming a Leader, and finally to becoming a “SERVANT LEADER.”

Did I reach my peak when I became an International Director and served for two years on the Board? Not at all, “Toastmasters is a JOURNEY and NOT a DESTINATION.” It’s a two-way street: The more you GIVE, the more you GET, and the more you GET, the more you GIVE. I continued my journey by serving as a Region Advisor for my region from 2013 -2015. I was surprised when I received a call from the Toastmasters President and the CEO asking me to serve on the Board of Directors one more time – 2020 and 2021. I will conclude my second term as an International Director in August 2021. Will I have reached my TM destination then? No, The TM journey continues.

Respectfully Submitted,

Sal Asad, DTM,

Past and Current International Director (ID) and Past Region Advisor (RA).