A Highlands Ranch woman has achieved the highest award provided
by Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization
that teaches communication and leadership skills through a
worldwide network of clubs. Linda Rinehart, a member of Ranch
Raconteurs Toastmasters Club in Highlands Ranch, received the
Distinguished Toastmaster award in recognition of her communication
and leadership achievements.
Requirements for the Distinguished Toastmaster award include
more than 40 public-speaking projects; nearly 30 leadership
projects, terms as a club and area or district officer; and club
mentoring or coaching.
“Achieving my Distinguished Toastmaster award is like reaching
the summit of a very high mountain, an exhilarating feeling and
experience,” Rinehart said. “Earning my DTM is really only the
beginning of my journey. Once I reached the summit, I realized I
have more potential to develop within myself.”
An active member of Ranch Raconteurs since in 2007, Rinehart
first joined the Toastmasters organization more than 10 years ago.
She has also participated in Toastmasters clubs in Colorado
Springs, Lakewood, Littleton and Englewood. She served as a Select
Distinguished Area Governor for the Southern and Metro divisions of
Toastmasters International’s District 26, which includes Colorado,
Wyoming and western Nebraska, and she has also served as a vice
president of public relations, membership and education in several
clubs, and as a club coach. A retiree of Caterpillar Inc., she
currently serves as vice president of public relations for
Excelsior Advanced Toastmasters Club in Lakewood.
“While Toastmasters is about so much more than simply public
speaking, I did join Toastmasters to become a public speaker,”
Rinehart added. “Along my journey, I have learned to become a
better listener and garnered skills to provide others with
effective constructive feedback, empowering them to become better
communicators and leaders. I would encourage anyone wanting to
improve these skills in their personal or professional lives to
visit a Toastmasters club.”
Rinehart is a public speaker specializing in mental health
wellness advocacy. Her website, Mental Wealth, can be found at
www.lindarinehart.com. Her email address is
lindarinehartspeaks@msn.com.