Patricia Gray

I joined Dunfermline Toastmasters in 2017, I was a mature student studying with the Open University and had been elected as Area Association Representative for Scotland, I was to be the voice of all the Scottish students at committee meetings in Scotland and in the UK, however I did not have a lot of confidence with public speaking, I was sitting at home one night and received an email telling me about a new club opening in Dunfermline and after receiving more information I decided I wanted to give it a try, went along to the next meeting, I remember feeling terrified as I walked into the room for the first time, however by the end of that meeting I had enjoyed it so much I decided I wanted to join the Club, I delivered my first speech after just six weeks, and received really good constructive feedback, that enabled me to learn and improve for delivering future speeches.

Now seven years on I can speak to larger audiences, have gained a lot of new skills and those skills have enabled me to volunteer with others and help them to gain these experiences as well, I still enjoy learning new skills, I have held many of the  leadership roles in my club and now this year with the District as well as Area Director, and I want to continue my Toastmasters Experience for many more years to come, I believe you are never to old to learn and then you will have  a lot more experience to pass on to others in the future.

My Toastmasters goals I still have to achieve are to complete my first path this year, which I am on track to do, and then in the next Toastmasters year to achieve my Distinguished Toastmaster Award.

To be Successful in this Area Director role will assist me towards that goal.