本項翻譯係經世界總會授權，版權亦屬世界總會及中華民國國際演講協會所有，
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戰勝困難

譯者：周祐平 Rick, JOY

How a determined club attained President’s Distinguished status
一個有決心的分會，如何達成世界總會長傑出分會榮譽
　

It has not been easy for the Viera/Suntree Toastmasters club in Melbourne, Florida. Reduced to near-vagabond status since chartering, the club has moved its meeting site from one restaurant to a second one, then to a third, then to a Red Cross building, followed by a health center, a community center, a senior center, back to the community center, and then to its current location at a different health center.
對於位在佛羅里達州墨爾本市的Viera/Suntree演講會，要達成世界總會長傑出分會榮譽，一直都不是一件容易的事。創會後也曾淪落到幾近流浪狀態，演講會例會場地，曾經從某餐廳換至另一餐廳，後再換至另一個，再換至紅十字會大樓，緊接又換至衛生所、社區中心、老人中心，再回到社區中心，最後換至目前舉行例會的另一間衛生所。 

The last two locations were during the past year alone.
單單去年一年，就換了上述最後兩處場地。 

To further frustrate matters, during the past year the club president was unavailable months at a time due to critical work assignments; the vice president education resigned after losing a job and having to work evenings at a second one; the replacement vice president education resigned for family reasons; the vice president  membership was out of action for two months following a bike-auto accident; the vice president public relations resigned due to work travel commitments; and the treasurer was unable to attend numerous meetings. Several new club members also disappeared shortly after joining, for reasons of their own.
更令人氣餒的是，去年間演講會會長，因為職場工作調整緣故，無法擔任會長數月。教育副會長因為丟掉工作，必須在晚上找兼職，因而辭退職務。接替的教育副會長也因為家庭緣故，不幹了。會員副會長因一場腳踏車與汽車的車禍，兩個月無法行動。公關副會長因常至外地出差，也打退堂鼓。財務長無法經常參加例會。很多新會員在加入不久後，皆因個人因素旋即消失。 

Yet despite all the tribulations, the 6-year-old club prevailed and prospered – earning President’s Distinguished status for a second year in a row. This is thanks to a small core group of dedicated members who conducted effective and fun meetings, held an Open House and other special events, and focused on completing Distinguished Club Plan requirements.
然而雖然有這些磨難，這個成立六年的演講會，仍然是優質的，而且會務昌隆，連續兩年獲得世界總會長傑出分會榮譽。這都幸虧有一群奉獻的會員核心團隊，致力於舉辦有效果、有趣的例會、例會開放大眾參與、舉辦其他特別活動、以及專注致力於完成傑出分會計畫的要求。 

Other Toastmasters clubs can take heart. Despite the economy, rising unemployment, personal health issues and family needs, success is a real possibility through dedication to Toastmasters principles and programs. Just ask the Viera/Suntree club.
其他演講會也可以如此振作起來，雖然我們都有經濟不景氣、失業率升高、個人健康議題和家庭需求等諸多考量，因而無法全力投入在演講會事務，想要成功，也是很有可能的。只要去問問Viera/Suntree演講會就知道了。 

Stuart Gorin, DTM, is a member of the Viera/Suntree club in Melbourne, Florida, and the Montgomery Village/Gaithersburg club in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He can be reached at stuartgorin@bellsouth.net
作者：史塔葛林，傑出會員，參加佛羅里達州墨爾本市二個分會，以及馬里蘭州蓋瑟堡市二個分會的會員，他的電子郵件地址為：sturtgorin@bellsouth.net