Message from Lt. Governor Loren Leman:
From Kashim Toastmaster’s April 2004 newsletter

I have been asked to send you some of my thoughts about Toastmasters -- and
specifically how my Toastmasters experience has affected me and helped me do the job I do today.

Here goes!

I first attended a meeting of the Kashim Toastmasters Club in the Ronald McDonald Room at McDonald’s on 4th Avenue in downtown Anchorage in early 1977. I had been out of graduate school for nearly four years and was actively engaged in engineering consulting throughout Alaska, including presentations to city councils and other public meetings from time to time. A co-worker, Dan Chatfield, encouraged me to join him in visiting this club -- which he chose because it met at noon at a location near our office downtown. I am thankful for his encouragement to attend -- because I may have never mustered up the courage on my own.

I met a roomful of friendly people, each a leader in a way in our community. They were all ‘regular’ people, yet enjoyed the challenge of giving Table Topics speeches, Icebreakers and other speeches that followed themes from their manuals. Before long I was scheduled to give my Icebreaker. Although it probably wasn’t a truly masterful performance, they voted me ‘Speaker of the Day.’ I was hooked!

I went on to complete the requirements for Able Toastmaster, perhaps twice, and served in all the club offices. Additionally, I represented our club and region at Yukon Alaska Council of Toastmasters (YACT) competitions, inspired by the leadership of John Briski. I met many fine people, some of who remain friends and co-workers to this day. Additionally, through the experience of speaking, I got to the point where I enjoy communicating with people. I stayed with Toastmasters for several years -- and helped mentor others, including helping to sponsor a couple of clubs.

Serving as a legislator -- and now as Lieutenant Governor -- has given me many opportunities to speak to people. The positive, yet constructively critical experience of Toastmasters has made this easier and has helped me focus my message.

Loren Leman
Lieutenant Governor
(907) 465-3520 or 269-7460