Sergeant Major Tim Hairston
Tim Hairston learned early on the importance of being a good communicator. From the time in his youth when he was a sack boy at a grocery store, to his current career as a Career Counselor to soldiers who are exiting the Army, effective communication has been a vital part of his work.
Tim was first introduced to Toastmasters in Memphis, Tennessee, in the early 90s. In 2013 when the military moved him to Fort Bliss in El Paso, he found a Toastmasters club – the Northeast Toastmasters – that met just a few hundred yards from where he lived. Tim jumped at the chance to join, and restarted his Toastmaster goals.
He also jumped into Toastmasters with both feet, serving as Area Governor for Area 42 in 2014-15, leading the area to Distinguished status. Tim is currently the VP Marketing for Northeast, as well as President of Eastside Toastmasters. He is also a Club Sponsor for Workforce Toastmasters, also located in El Paso.
Tim joined the National Guard in 1985, and became a full time soldier in 2001 as a recruiter – a position which depends heavily on good communication. In 2007 he was selected to become an instructor for new recruiters. While instructing new recruiters, Tim often referred soldiers to join a Toastmaster Club in their hometown after recruiter school to improve their communication skills.
Tim Hairston with his wife and three of their seven children at the promotion ceremony.
L to R: Grace Hairston, Moriah Hairston, Tim Hairston, Kim Hairston (Sergeant First Class,) and Stephen Hairston
(Click for full size image)
Along with being an active Toastmaster, Tim enjoys sports, particularly volleyball. He also volunteers to help families who are new to the military. Tim, who has achieved the Advanced Communicator Silver award, believes that the initial entry of new members into the world of communication is one of the most effective parts of the program. “That first step – the elimination of filler words, being able to give a toast or a presentation, and the ability to conduct a meeting, are the marks of becoming a better communicator.”
In July of this year, Tim was promoted to Sergeant Major, the highest enlisted rank in the Army. He describes how Toastmasters has helped him: “As a leader of an organization, good communication skills are vital to success. Toastmasters helps me be a better counselor and a better Sergeant Major. In meetings that I lead as a Sergeant Major, I will often use Toastmaster tips, tactics, and techniques to help move meetings along. To me it is important to start a meeting on time, finish on time, to cover the items listed on the agenda and give feedback on what went well during a meeting and how we can improve meetings.”
