Central Toastmasters needed a Contest Chair for their recent contest night.
As President of our club and who is also filling in for our absent VPE, I decided to reach out to our members. I asked them who was willing to be trained to be our Contest Chair.

Our eager member Jodi Blankenship volunteered and I trained her. She was eager to step out of her comfort zone and serve our members and club.

Previously, I reached out to members from other clubs, in our Area, for a Contest Chair. I did not want to continously rely on members from other clubs.

Jodi was an excellent student, who asked questions, gave me ideas and we worked exceptionally well, as a team.

She invested in her valuable time to learn, something that far too few members take the time to do.

Jodi was outstanding with her patience, because it was my first time training a member, to take on the Contest Chair role. I kept forgetting important steps and had to send her the details, by email.

After numerous zoom meetings, Whataspp messages and training sessions later, Contest Night arrived.

Jodi was more than well prepared for her role, for the first time. She sailed through it, even though she had to read everything, from her notes.

She was organised, composed and enthusiastic about her important role. She took us through each step, with positive vibes and zest.

Jodi fully focused on fulfilling her role and never put herself on the spotlight, which was what an outstanding Contest Chair does, at Contests.

I got many positive feedback, from our members, regarding Jodi’s first time as Contest Chair.

I am extremely proud of her major achievement.

Jodi truly deserves the recognition, from District, as she showed what leadership looks like, even when you have no idea what you are doing.

Kit Yee Cheng

Central Toastmasters, Glasgow