Some may call it fate. I had just befriended a friend on Facebook who was a cohort of mine from another organization. I was not aware that she was a toastmaster. One day, on her Facebook feed, an event popped up on how to speak on television. I reflected on an experience I had being on channel 6 (in Richmond, VA) representing a nonprofit organization. I felt like I was a deer caught in headlights when asked questions from the newscaster. This uncomfortable encounter lead to me pursuing ways of speaking on television. I did not want to be unprepared in case I received another opportunity to represent an organization or myself in the future. 

Fast forward, I have been in toastmasters since January of 2016. I joined the SPBC Toastmasters Club, never thinking in my wildest dreams that I would last this long.  Fortunately for me, the comradery of club members and the skills that I developed as a leader kept me coming back for more. I successfully completed the Toastmaster legacy program and was awarded my Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) during the 2019-2020 Toastmaster year, but there was still more to learn. After completing the legacy program, I enrolled in the Pathways program to work on my presentation skills. In addition, I participated in the District 66 “Train the Trainer” program.  I am gaining skills as a trainer that will not only benefit the District, but my employer as well.  I realize that if you do not practice your skills, you can soon become complacent and lose the skills you have acquired. It’s like building muscle when you exercise once you stop exercising you become weak. 

During my Toastmasters journey, I have served as Club President, Area Director, Division B Director, Club Growth Director, Program Quality Director and now District Director for District 66.  In these leadership capacities, I have learned how to motivate a team and set goals, qualities that I didn’t always get to develop on the job.  As a result, I am confident in my ability to lead others.  For me, these just scratch the surface on the benefits that I received from becoming a Toastmaster.

I encourage everyone to at least visit a Toastmasters club and see what it has to offer. Who knows?  You may discover that it is an answer to your why and a path to your dreams. 

Tishaun Harris-Ugworji, DTM