Last Tuesday, April 10th, I served as a volunteer moderator for a highly contentious neighborhood association meeting. The Fort Worth city staffer who recruited me found me on our D25 Toastmasters website under the Speakers Bureau. The meeting lasted more than 3 1/2 hours, during which 98 different people spoke at least once. It became “fun” after about 20 minutes, and I know it helped the meeting’s various perspectives to be delivered more effectively. Many speakers were extremely nervous and passionate. In previous meetings, the Mistletoe Heights Neighborhood Association president says, neighbors threatened each other, shouted each other down, and...

Over the years I have explored many paths, from noncommissioned officer in the Army to public services librarian to graduate advisor. I have started my own small poetry press, worked as a paid blogger on green issues, and mentored new members in Toastmasters. I finally realized there was a theme to the majority of my jobs and activities and that was helping others find their paths and become who they want to be. It was this desire to help others – fostered in large part by Toastmasters – that led me to pursue my coaching certification and start my own coaching...

While I was on a recent visit to my daughter in California, we had to pick up her dogs, Bailey and Finnegan, at the kennel. She reminded me that Toastmasters World Headquarters was right across the street from “Wags and Wiggles” so I stopped in and visited a bit and had my picture taken! Diana Patton Editor’s note This picture has also gotten some Facebook comments. The exact location is: 23182 Arroyo Vista Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688-2620 If you ever happen to be picking up your dogs (or your dry cleaning, Chinese takeout or whatever) in this vicinity, tours are available 9 a.m. to...