Name: Danielle Mazza, ACB, ALB
Position: Area 93 Director
Club(s): Germinators
Other positions: I have previously served as Treasurer, VPM, and President of my home club.
How long have you been in Toastmasters? 3 years
What are your plans for the district/area/division?
My goal for Area 93 this year is to have fun! We have many exciting opportunities for training, special events, conferences, and contests. I hope to have more friendly neighbor visits, and area social events which help to connect our clubs to one another. Building community is very important to me, as well as encouraging creativity outside of our standard meetings + events.
Why did you join Toastmasters?
Being a scientist, we’re well known for being skilled in speaking jargon and not so well known for efficient communication with actual human beings. I’m out to change that perception, one person at a time.
My Toastmasters journey started long before I even knew what Toastmasters was, when I gave a presentation on carrier pigeons (yes, really) in my freshmen year ecology class. I vividly remember wanting to run out of the room even though I was frozen in fear, while I spoke and trembled and stumbled my way through the presentation. While my heart was returning to a normal pace, I thought to myself “I will never do that badly again.”
I eventually had the courage in graduate school to sign up for a communication and leadership course, and fell in love with the pursuit of these two skills. When I joined my current company, I signed up for Toastmasters within two weeks. Learning how to channel the nerves and anticipation in a constructive way has been one of my greatest accomplishments to date, and has helped me to be more courageous. As an introverted science nerd, it has been a gradual experience to learn that what I have to say is just as important as the louder people around me, and that anyone deserves to be listened to when they speak.
What advice do you have for new members?
Be afraid. Embrace fear and use it to propel yourself toward your goals. Nothing is worth doing unless it pushes you even slightly out of your comfort zone.