Have you heard the expression, “Power behind the throne?” Can you name someone who for several years has been a “Power behind Opportunity Drawing Fundraising?” Who do you know that is able to mount that project, and make it fun for everyone while doing it? The answer is: Charlotte Drake; she is an “Opportunity Drawing Master.” Charlotte volunteers her service at speech contests, setting up the gift tables, donating prizes, describing the prizes, and selling the drawing tickets that off-set contest food and venue costs. When the contests are over, it’s Charlotte and her team who have earned solid returns to cover the expenses of producing speech contests.
Whatever the event, Charlotte is known for her generosity of service: she arrives earlier and stays later than anyone else. She sets up, cleans up, and brings abundant portions of hand cut fruit. She is chef of the gourmet crafted foods she brings.
Whether it is a formal meeting or a casual gathering, once she has arranged and set up the room with gifts, food, and learning materials, you will find Charlotte, at the back of the room looking out for the needs of every person, whether there are two or two-hundred people in the audience. Charlotte handles problems before others even notice them.
Charlotte has had more than her share of challenges. What sets her apart is her resilience, her sunshine attitude and the way she transforms obstacles into opportunities. She triumphs over tragedy. When confronted with the struggles of both of her parents dealing with Parkinson’s Disease, Charlotte founded what became an international support group known as PEP: Parkinson’s Educational Program. What started out in Newport Beach, at Charlotte’s Park Newport residence, quickly grew from 4 to 300 people and proliferated into satellite support groups in every state in America, then expanded into 13 countries and five languages.
Charlotte provides the same “obstacles into opportunities” resourcefulness in Toastmasters. Her club, HarborLites, is all about supporting members’ needs. She sees HarborLites as a “safe harbor” where individuals grow and develop in the presence of mutual nurturing and mentoring.
In 2014/2015, Charlotte’s personal excellence earned for her the DTM – Distinguished Toastmaster, which is the highest educational award. She was also recognized as Toastmaster of the Year and received the Area Governor of the Year Award. In 2015/2016 Charlotte was awarded 4 Triple Crown Awards, an unprecedented record.
For her indomitable spirit, on March 22, 2017, Charlotte Jayne Drake, DTM, was awarded Founder’s District Spirit of Excellence Award, presented to her at the District Executive Committee meeting, by District Director Siri Payakapan, DTM.