Our Spark Plug, Renate Wilms by Vicky Iozzia, DTM 3

Let me tell you about Renate Wilms, ACG, ALB.  She has been in Toastmasters since June of 1990 as a member of Radiant Ridge Toastmasters in Crystal River, Florida.

She was nicknamed our “spark plug” years ago. You can’t run an engine without a spark plug, can you? Without Renate’s energy and dedication I don’t know where the club would be.

Renate hates to be complimented. (Too bad, Renate!) She throws herself into everything she does with gusto, and has served as President, Vice President Education, Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President Membership, of her club.

Do we need new members? Renate is there to beat the bushes. Are we planning an Open House? Renate is there dealing with the details. Is someone absent and a meeting role needs to be filled? Renate fills it. Is a member not feeling well? She is the first to get a card, have everyone sign it, and make a visit. Is there something she can do to help a fellow member? She is there and ready to give with an open heart.

Are these questions getting you tired? This gives you an idea of how Renate sparks the club. It can be exhausting watching her running around. She must have all this energy because of the doubles tennis matches she plays every week!

I had no qualms about recommending her to be Area Governor, and she did a great job. We will be doing a Youth Leadership course in a local elementary school soon, and I am pleased to be working with her because I know it will be a great success.

Visit the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and volunteer Renate will give you the whole story of red wolves. She does manatee watch at the Park, going out on a kayak and counting manatees. Additionally, Renate contributes to our Wildlife Puppeteers at the Park by singing songs, writing and performing with puppets.

When contests come up, Renate competes, just to “keep in shape.” She is the kind of person who personifies Toastmasters: caring, enthusiastic, smart, and dedicated. I am proud to know her as a friend and fellow Toastmaster.