Emeritus: May 2010

In Toastmasters, unlike the church, everybody gets to talk. A peer-driven organization, Toastmasters manages to operate without one, long-term boss. Thank God, I thought upon arrival in the fall of 2000, no Pastor. Hallelujah!

Like most organizations, there are pastoral functions in Toastmasters. Leaders abound. However, nobody can claim any role forever; nobody becomes the demagogue or demigod. Instead, people cycle through various leadership positions, learning and giving what they can.

Most people know that Toastmasters provides a supportive, learning lab for people who want to improve their public speaking. It's less obvious that TM also provides a learning lab for leadership. There is, of course, a downside to this. People are constantly learning how to function in their new roles. When they finally figure it out, it's time to pass the position on to the someone else. Occasionally you get the new boss who is extra bossy, or the egomaniac who hasn't learned about servant-leadership, or the slacker who can't seem to accomplish basic tasks. However, the upside is that the bad apples cycle out in six-months or a year, and the good apples get a chance to learn, grow, exercise their gifts and become part of the core.

In Toastmasters, people have long-term authority not because of their title or position, but because of what they've learned, what they've given, and the extent of their interest in other people's growth and development. It was at Toastmasters that I first discovered the joys an emeritus position. In the role of Immediate Past President, I found I could be wise and gracious, give advice to those seeking my sage counsel, but no longer had to be responsible for a myriad of details. Terrific!

At the TM District Conference this month, I received a medal--for the Distinguished Toastmaster award. Twenty people who had accomplished this achievement in years past, stood in front of the assembly, creating a 'hug-line' to welcome the five of us who were receiving medals this year. While I didn't recognize everyone in that line, I knew that they had held various offices in their clubs, areas, divisions, and district. They had mentored individuals and clubs; they had encouraged me and countless others to step out, take on various leadership roles and learn all that Toastmasters has to offer. Although any one of them may or may not currently hold a specific office, most are true servant leaders; the go-to folk that people seek out. It was an honor to stand among them.

"A pedestal is as much a prison as any small space." ~ Gloria Steinem

"Don't forget to mention Jesus," Pamela wrote after last month's newsletter.
Oh right, Jesus.
Fortunately, I came upon Bryan Doyle's Leaping this month, a book that, in between gasps of delight and flashes of envy at the excellent writing, often left me sitting, staring into my heart, remembering Him.

"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?" ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Leaping arrived in a convoluted path by way of another response to last month's newsletter: Larry suggested that I take a peek at his blog, wherein he had posted Doyle's poem "Some Thorny Questions About the Resurrection." I loved the poem. Although Larry appreciated the writing and humor, he took umbrage at Doyle's "debunking of the resurrection."

Debunking? I think not! Years ago, in Best American Spiritual Writing 2001, I had discovered Brian Doyle's prose poem, "Leap." A response to September 11, this piece about two people jumping hand in hand from the flaming towers, had so struck me that I read it aloud in ensuing Septembers--at Toastmasters and at a service for the Good Shepherd Anglican Church.

I googled "Doyle, Leap" and sent a link to Larry, claiming that nobody who had written "Leap," could debunk the resurrection. Larry responded with full appreciation of Leap but said it held no indication of any sort of belief in Christ. Now I was irritated. I looked to see what else Brian Doyle had written, and ordered two of his books.

I felt like an idiot buying more books, given the boxes and bags that have been flowing into the store. (Spring cleaning must have swept through town.) Ah, but what a joy Leaping was--from the opening story about teaching a first communion class, to the final Gaelic muse. I especially appreciated "Christ's Elbows," not to even mention Doyle's funny bone. I wanted to buy a fine stack of Leaping to foist upon unsuspecting friends, sponsors and relatives. The only thing that stopped me was that ever flowing river of books behind my desk, and the dim memory that the books I love aren't always the right book at the right time for everyone else. Also--I just discovered after writing all this--Leaping is out of print.

Sigh. Justin will not be pleased.
You can google Doyle's Leap or Thorny Questions. Meanwhile, some copies of Leaping are still available.

The other book by Brian Doyle that I bought was Mary Ann Alice. I choose this book, written for upper elementary school children, because my beloved cousin's name is Mary Ann, and the name on my birth certificate is Alice. (A state secret; don't spread it around.) Mary Ann Alice takes place in the 1920's, in a small Canadian community where a dam is about to be built. The 7th grade protagonist gives us her view of the community, the process, the people. I read it flying back from Colorado, and it held my attention--even as we lurched through a thunderstorm. The plot moves along, the character's relationships ring true and a residual spiritual strength lingers past the book's end. This one is still in print.

"In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you." ~ Mortimer J. Adler

Big Sur Camping and Crawdad Society is this month, June 24-28. Tent camping, river running, book reading, friend schmoozing, campfire singing (yes, we WILL sing Second Story Window), bar-be-que, catsup stealing, craw-dad eating--not to even mention 2 or three (or 40 or 50) gathered in His name. Let me know if you want to come.

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." ~ John Muir

LATE BREAKING NEWS:
"I did a bad thing," Michael said.
I wait, dripping, wondering why these announcements often come as I'm stepping out of the shower.
"You know that book I was reading? The one you gave me?"
"Leaping?"
"Yeah, that one. I left it on the plane. In the pocket of the seat..."

I have now bagged the two best, on-line deals for Leaping; one to keep and one to pass around--for a price. If you happen to find another copy on Southwest Airlines, it's mine.

Blessings,
Alliee +