Allan Bernard, DTM

Dare to Be Distinguished!

Welcome to the 2009-2010 Toastmasters year. Our theme this year is Dare to Be Distinguished.

Dare means to take a risk. Distinguished means marked by eminence or excellence. Toastmasters is all about taking dares. We took a dare when attended our first club meeting, delivered our icebreaker, won election as a club officer, or competed in a speech contest. We distinguished ourselves when we earned that Competent or Advanced Communicator, agreed to mentor a new club, or stepped up to serve as area governor.

There is no end to how we can distinguish ourselves when we take a dare. Of course, the true value of Toastmasters is not just what we do at our clubs, but how we use what we learn to distinguish ourselves at home, in our careers and in our communities.

“Often the difference between a successful person and a failure is not one has better abilities or ideas, but the courage that one has to bet on one’s ideas, to take a calculated risk-and to act.” ~Andre Malrauz (1901 – 1976) French author, adventurer and statesman~

This year I encourage each of you to bet on your ideas, take a calculated risk and act. Set your goals for this year and decide how toastmasters can help you succeed. Ask other toastmasters how you can help them achieve their goals. Share your stories with your fellow toastmasters in the testimonial section on this website.

Together we will Dare To Be Distinguished!

Allan

P.S. One of my dares this year is to write a weekly blog. Click on the image below to visit my blog for ideas on how toastmasters can help you distinguish yourself as a speaker and leader in and out of toastmasters. I look forward to your comments.