COACH CONVERSATIONS
Maori Wisdom & Club Coaches Paul Fanning, DTM Club Coach Coordinator
I reviewed a document from New Zealand
Nunez, believes so too. On the 14th of April, she
recently and happened to notice at the bottom of
will host a Region 1 Club Coach Team Meeting at
the page a reference to “Our Four Values” from
6:00 pm via Zoom. Our Club Growth Director,
the NZ Defence Force. Obviously, we here in the
Lorri Andersen, five club coaches, and I attended
United States would not understand the wording
the March meeting. I was impressed that it was
as it was in Maori, the native language. It simply
not just a meeting to tell us what Toastmasters
stated eight words: “Tú Kaha-Tú Tika-Tú Tira-Tú
expects us to do, but rather a grass roots, let’s
Maia.” Thank goodness I found the translation
discuss the issues club coaches face with the
elsewhere and thought that these values would
pandemic, assist clubs with membership, and
also represent well the ones our Club Coaches
many other topics. I came away with a few more
exhibit with their clubs. Kaha stands for taking
“tools” for my “bag of tricks.” If you are a Club
action despite your fears. Tika means giving
Coach, I ask you to join in next month’s meeting.
your best. Tira indicates one should respect
I will send the link out when I receive it. Please
others and look out for them. And finally, Maia
mark the date and time on your calendar!
represents doing the right thing—always. If we
Being March, I have to tip my Irish derby
were to adopt them, each one of those values
once again to Club Coaches who have made
asks us to put others first, and by doing so, we
a difference in their clubs. The first is Bushan
ourselves will grow personally and professionally
Gupta, Wake Up, Beaverton Toastmasters who
as well as demonstrate our abilities on behalf of
has added new members this month on their road
Toastmasters International.
to distinguished. The other is Dave Bones, Talk-
Club Coaches are “special” in my eyes. It
In-Tel Toastmasters who have added members
appears that one of our Region 1 Advisors, Sondra
bringing them up to eight. The Club is in good
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ONE COMMUNITY
