Eugenio Jaramillo

By saying yes!

The first question that I was asked when I went to investigate the local Toastmaster International Club (South Dade Toastmasters) was, “will you join today?” I said yes.

Three months later, after sponsoring eight new members, all from the company where I was working, I was asked, “will you be our club President?” I said yes.

Over the course of the next year, I was asked, “Do you wish to be an Adjunct Professor at Miami-Dade College?”, “will you be our Test Speaker at the Coral Gables Toastmasters evaluation contest?”, “will you be the Contest Chair for the Division E Humorous Speech contest?” the answer was always yes!

Right about the time my one-year tenure as club President was ending, I was asked, “will you be the Area 52 Director in District 47?” I said yes.

While I was acting as the Area 52 Director, I was asked if I wanted to be a mentor for a new club, The Landing, and if would be a charter member. I said yes.

At the tail end of my over three-year involvement I realized that I was not getting enough speaking opportunities so I joined another club, Doral Toastmasters. I could complete many speeches there including one for my High-Performance Leadership Program.

The speaking chances were diminishing. I was asked if I wanted to participate in a Speech-a-Thon at Miami Advanced where I had been a member. Of course, I said yes. There, I reconnected with the President of Dade County Toasters whom I had coached during my area directorship.

I got the bright idea to help them help me. Since my two clubs, South Dade and Doral, had already achieved President’s Distinguished, I joined Dade County Toasters so that I could deliver my last speeches so I could give them my advanced education awards. Win-win.

All told, I was President for one year, Area Director for another year, was a member of four different clubs, a charter member and mentor for another club, prepared and delivered over 40 speeches, attended the Toastmasters Leadership Institute, attended the District 47 Spring and Fall conferences, and attended the International Conference in Washington, DC.

What a wild ride. I met so many good people. I had so many enriching experiences. I made new friends, new memories, and new relationships.