Charlene Rhinehart, ACB, ALB
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1. When and why did you join Toastmasters?
After accomplishing my goal of becoming a CPA, I wanted to push myself even further with a unique personal development opportunity — pageantry! I was selected to be a contestant in the 2011 Miss Illinois USA pageant in November 2010, and a colleague recommended I join Toastmasters to help me do well in the interview-portion of the contest. I was instantly intrigued and immediately signed up.
2. What do you do for a living?
I have one of the most attractive careers in the world. I uphold the integrity of my company’s financial records as a Certified Public Accountant. I am also a cheerleader for the Chicago Mustangs Minor League Football team and am preparing to be a future state pageant titleholder!
3. How do you use communication skills in your career or daily life?
Communication has the power to transform lives and rejuvenate minds. I use my communication skills in my career and daily life to connect, mentor and motivate the people around me.
4. How have you grown as a communicator and leader as a result of Toastmasters?
Toastmasters helped me discover my unique voice and capacity for leadership. These discoveries increased my self-confidence. And this confidence empowered me to pursue desires and develop talents that were hidden within me. I have grown tremendously in my career pursuits and relationships with others because Toastmasters helped me to regain my voice.
5. If someone asked you to give a presentation on short notice, how would you react?
Before Toastmasters, all I could think was, “Where is the nearest exit?” Now I react calmly and enthusiastically accept the challenge. I view these impromptu speaking opportunities as a way to cultivate and share the gifts I have been given in Toastmasters.
6. What do you like best about your club?
I am invigorated by the different examples of courage, passion and perseverance evident in the members of Chicago Speakeasy. We may dance to a different beat, but the choreography we produce through our diverse talents and unwavering teamwork allows our club to deliver a breathtaking performance.
7. What have you done in Toastmasters to gain leadership experience?
A prerequisite to effective leadership is mastering the art of following. I learned this concept as a salsa dancer and again in Toastmasters. During my first year, I served as a club ambassador and visited 51 clubs to learn and witness the most influential leaders in action. This gave me the skills required to lead my various teams to excellence.
8. Now that you have come this far, what is your next step?
There is no doubt that I am going all the way to become a Distinguished Toastmaster! But more importantly, I am seeking to impart to people a passion and love for the person they can become through Toastmasters. I want to showcase the talents of accomplished Toastmasters so that others can enhance their definition of what is possible and fall in love with their dreams. Outside of Toastmasters, my goal is to advance a life-changing message of heart disease awareness by encouraging others to commit to be fit, adopt a heart-healthy diet, and know their numbers.
9. What surprised you the most about Toastmasters?
The plethora of talent and energy! Being around such an esteemed group of individuals pushes you to the next level. I thought I was joining for three months to assist with my pageant preparation, but now that I see how much I can gain from the program, I plan to make a lifelong commitment.
10. What is the most important thing you would tell your friends and family about Toastmasters?
Toastmasters has a surprise for each person who attends a club meeting and becomes a member. Close your eyes and you will soon realize that the Toastmasters surprise is you! You will not be the same person you were when you first walked into Toastmasters.