Arnold and I started Open Door Toastmasters in 2004. Our club has been a President’s Distinguished Club in all but our first year when we achieved 7 of the 10 goals toward a Distinguished Club status. All subsequent years we have been a President’s Distinguished Club. Our membership varies between 35 – 40 members. We are a very friendly Club and guests are greeted and made to feel welcome. I believe that this is our biggest asset.
We have generated several District Officers, including the 2016-17 District Director, Paula Markert. Open Door has been instrumental in getting 4 new clubs started. We meet the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month (except in Nov. and Dec. when it is best to check our website for meeting dates because of the Holidays) – Irene Card, DTM
My Toastmasters journey, like most, has twists and even zig-zags and the story of how I wound up at Open Door started years before I knew there was more than a single Toastmasters club, period. I spent my first two years in a new club and nobody even understood what that CL manual was for. Finding that resource was an eye opener for me, which led me to realizing there is a large community of clubs and Toastmasters available as resources. Once I realized there was a well-defined path for a Toastmaster to follow, I started reaching out, going to conferences, attending contests, and even volunteering for district roles.
The funny thing about momentum is it catches up to you even when you didn’t see it coming. I jumped in with both feet and one of my first clubs I was an Area Governor for was Open Door and it was probably the first time I saw how a well-oiled machine a club could be. The people were all so warm, caring and welcoming that after attending 6 meetings, and adn hosted 4 area contests in 21 months. I just had to join them as my second club. I got more involved with the district (even hosting a conference First-Timers session), worked hard to complete my CL manual while continuing on my speech path and within 18 months completed my DTM because of the club and their supportive members. Looking back, I couldn’t have planned this but the journey was part of the process and I still have fond memories of how I got here and great expectations of where it will lead me. – Stuart Kramer, DTM, Immediate Past President
Continue reading “Club Spotlight: Open Door Toastmasters (Part 2)”