Perseverance Pays Off for High Country Toastmasters

High Country Toastmasters Charter Members: Seated: Terri Lockwood, Dacia Trethewey, Peggy Cerchione, Marie Wilkie, Sandy Cambron, Margo Powell; Second row: Larry Link, Katherine Alford, Gigi Sampson, Shawn Bergman, Glenda Teams, Ken Levra; Third Row: Bob Cambron, Chuck Claxton, Ron Rognstad, Ken Miller; Not Pictured: MaryKelly Glidewell, Joe Veler, Mindy Kleinsmith, Patti Peterson Jesse Presnell, Steve Moeller, Thorma Crawford Photo submitted

It took seven months of perseverance, from conception to charter, for tenacious Toastmasters in Blowing Rock, Boone and the surrounding areas of Spruce Pine, West Jefferson and Banner Elk to plan and create a Toastmasters Club. Today, the High Country Toastmasters have a lot to talk about.

The High Country Toastmasters Club # 1387766, chartered on September 18. The group celebrated the achievement at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church on October 27 with a well attended and thoroughly enjoyable party. Those in attendance enjoyed a wonderful evening emceed by Shawn Bergman. District 37 Governor Deb Lee inducted new members and officers, with President Bob Cambron leading the way.

The question asked of Cambron was, “What is Toastmasters about to you?” He replied, “Toastmasters is about self-development. When you say no to Toastmasters, you are saying no to yourself.”

Enthusiastic and dedicated, the Toastmasters planned the event to celebrate the birth and growth of the club, to promote the club's special opportunities for development to future Toastmasters and to gain inspiration from listening to visiting Toastmaster members achievements, as well as from speeches by guest speakers Jay Nodine and Ken Miller.

Among the honored guests showing their support were North Carolina Toastmaster dignitaries for District 37, including Lee, District 37 Lt. Governor for Marketing Bryan Walsh, Nodine, Division C Governor Ken Miller, Past District Governor Barney Barnum, Division A Governor Michael Beach, Area 14 Governor Gigi Sampson and Area 33 Governor Ken Levra.

While basking in their newly chartered club, little did they know that one of their own members would receive a surprise a week later at the District 37 Fall Conference held in Asheville. On November 7, Glenda Teams was awarded the Helen Yandle Award for Outstanding Club President in District 37 2008-09.

“I am truly honored and humbled by this award,” said Teams, who joined Toastmasters four years ago because of a job requirement. “Toastmasters has made a huge difference in my life and my biggest reward is making a difference in other people’s lives by helping them overcome their fear of public speaking. Sometimes you may fall on your face, but when you get up, you are a couple of feet closer to achieving your goal.”

Club Officers elected for 2009-10 year are as follows: President – Bob Cambron; Vice President of Education – Glenda Teams; Vice President of Membership – Katherine Alford; Vice President of Public Relations – Peggy Cerchione; Treasurer – Mindy Kleinsmith; Secretary – Marie Wilkie; and Sargeant-at-Arms – Larry Link.

High Country Toastmasters provides a night of entertainment, education, networking and friendship, where attendees are guaranteed to get something back. “Whether you are a professional student, entrepreneur, an employee, stay-at-home parent, a business owner or retiree, Toastmasters is the best way to improve your communication skills,” stated a member.

“I joined Toastmaster’s with for one obvious reason, to gain the ability to speak publically, but also develop a level of self-confidence that I did not possess. After only a few months as a member of Toastmasters, I can honestly say that this organization has met and exceeded my expectations. Initially, when speaking before a large or small group, I’d get so nervous that my voice would shake, my hands sweat and I would stutter and stammer over my words. The skills I am gaining from attending the weekly Toastmasters meetings are already moving me in new directions professionally. Public speaking is a significant part of my job. But now, because of my ability to speak effectively, I am getting more opportunities to speak before groups that are larger and more intimidating. I still get nervous but now I can take on these challenging opportunities with the confidence associated with the skills I’ve gained from Toastmasters,” said Terri Lockwood from the ASU Office of Equity, Diversity and Compliance.

“I have been ‘putting off’ public speaking since high school and I recently got a job at United Community Bank. In this new role I have to give presentations and go on customer calls. I didn't want public speaking to be my only negative in my new role, so in May I joined Toastmasters [and] it has been wonderful. I was very pessimistic that it would really me help that much, but it does! We recently won a huge account in my area and the only thing that I have changed recently is that I have been going to Toastmasters. It is the best thing that I have done in my career since I have been out of college and for people that are putting it off just STOP and come see what is going on at the High Country Toastmasters,” said Mindy Kleinsmith, Deposit Consultant/Corporate Services, United Community Bank.

High Country Toastmasters meetings are held every Tuesday at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church Fellowship Hall from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. For more information, call 828-264-9010, email alford.katherine@gmail.com or click to www.highcountrytoastmasters.org.