Name: Nayan Shah
Position: Area 24 Director, Div-B for 2017-18.
Club(s): Parsippany Toastmasters Club, Carpe Diem
Other positions: Currently, I am VP Education for the Parsippany Toastmasters Club. Last year, I was Sergeant-at-Arms for the club.
How long have you been in Toastmasters? Since, February 2015.
What are your plans for the district/area/division? All of the clubs are corporate clubs in my Area-24, Division-B. I want to be there for my clubs, for any of the questions they have. Our plan is to find local leaders for future Division need. I will try to keep my Area to be Distinguished Status by creating Area Success Plan early in the year.
Why did you join Toastmasters? I joined the rank of consultant from the corporate job in 2013. At that time, I realized I need to improve my communication style for “small talk,” especially with C- level leaders. Toastmasters gave ample opportunities of small talk, in terms of Table Topics during every club meeting or taking any type of the evaluator role. Also, in the past, I was afraid to share my personal stories at my workplace, which had a corporate club. With my local clubs, I did not have to worry about the implications of doing so. I stopped attending meetings when I initially joined, however, a good friend of mine met me at the gym and convinced back to be back the Toastmasters. Since then, I am voracious learner and targeting one award at a time. I am planning to earn at least one more award, this year, to meet the Manny’s (our Program Quality Director) call during Training in June-2017.
What advice do you have for new members? You have joined Toastmasters to improve some form of communication. This is a self made contract. Please commit to attend at least 80% of club meetings and have a plan to complete one award at a time, at your own pace. You will be inspired in every meeting, by listening speech of your fellow members.