Category: District 83

Bryan Shares His Toastmasters Experience

About a year ago a colleague gave advice while I typed notes on my cellphone as fast as I could, “Join Toastmasters.”

That day I made a digital note and a mental commitment. The next week, at 7:00 pm, I walked into a classroom at the Raritan Valley Community College building in Somerville and sat down in my first Toastmasters meeting. I wanted to improve my communication skills. I wanted to get better at public speaking.

I’ve gone to almost every meeting since and I’m working on my fifth speech now. With every speech, I’ve gained more confidence and become more relaxed. Yet for me, it’s been the incredible people that I’ve met along the way that have made the experience.

There’s been inspiration. It never ceases to amaze me how calm and confident Toastmasters can be. It doesn’t matter how many strangers are in the crowd or what topic they’ve chosen that evening. I can only describe the way they choose their words, vary their tone, and gesture, as craftsmanship. Even when given about the most wrenching topics.

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Club Spotlight: Power Talkers Club Toastmasters

Name: Power Talkers Club

Chartered: October 1, 1994

Since joining the Power Talkers Toastmaster’s Club about a year ago, I have increased my confidence level while speaking in front of the public and large groups. I feel I am more relaxed and comfortable while speaking and more conscious of what I am saying and how I am saying it. I don’t feel as anxious or nervous before I say a few words.

I have improved my speaking ability, such as the use of filler words, and it shows in my performance at work on the council or at special events. Toastmasters has also helped me to improve both my listening and writing skills, and I have also made new friendships along the way so the networking is a side benefit!

Some people have asked me, “Why are you doing that? You are so busy! You have enough to do! You are already a good speaker.” My response is, “No, there is always room for improvement, the Club helps me. Toastmasters is Fun! You should join!”

These days, verbal communications is becoming obsolete. People rely on their personal communication devices to do that for them. Effective speaking is a huge asset!- Alison Deeb

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Meet the Area Directors: Michelle Campbell

Name: Michelle M. Campbell

Position: Area Director, District 83, Area Director 71

Club(s): Gold Coast Advanced Toastmasters

Other positions: Secretary and Sergeant at Arms

How long have you been in Toastmasters? 14 years

What are your plans for the district/area/division?
I want to help my clubs and their members to be the best they can be. During the 2017-2018 year my goals are:
          1. Visit all my assigned clubs at least twice
          2. Have at least one club on the path to Distinguished Club
          3. Get coaching access for my clubs that needs coaching

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The Founding of NJIT Toastmasters

Before starting at NJIT, a mentor of mine had emphasized to me the importance of “soft skills” and encouraged me to join Toastmasters International–a non-profit organization that helps its members to develop their communication and leadership skills. I immediately joined NJIT’s Toastmasters club in my first semester. Unfortunately, the club was not well attended nor officially chartered with the organization-it did not provide the enthusiastic and supportive learning environment that my mentor had talked about. At the end of the year the club’s leadership wanted to disband the club.  

I saw a clear need for Toastmasters at NJIT. Our institute has brilliant analytical thinkers with a strong focus on science, engineering, and math. However, soft skills were overlooked at the student’s expense. Their extraordinary capabilities would go unnoticed if they could not communicate or lead effectively. To address this issue, I became club president and decided to reinvigorate it, chartering with Toastmasters International so that students could benefit.

I knew it would be challenging to establish the club and fill this niche in our community. I had no membership base, resources, or leadership team to begin with. I was not sure how I would persuade students to realize the importance of and make time for personal development and to become due-paying members. I did, however, have a strong vision and purpose for the club and the belief that I could create it.

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Multi-Club Holiday Party in Red Bank

Please inform your members about the Multi-Club Holiday Party December 14 at the Red Bank Elks!

It has become the highlight of my Toastmasters year!

Each year the party is getting bigger and better as far as venue, food, and Toastmaster’s Fun!

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Meet the Area Directors: Danielle Mazza

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.

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Club Spotlight: Red Bank Toastmasters

Club: Red Bank Toastmasters

Charter Date: Oct. 1, 1998

Distinguished Awards: 2016-2017 President’s Distinguished Award

Club Members In Their Own Words:

Our Red Bank chapter is very positive, supportive, and fun. I love speaking and challenging myself, but I really love listening to members’ speeches. It’s a great way to end a day!- Gabrielle Ferro

I am so glad that I joined this club! I’ve made some great friends along the way and have learned so much from the seasoned speakers and my mentor. My confidence while speaking continues to improve from constructive criticism and feedback from the team. I look forward to meetings and future contests with our talented group of professionals!- Jill Fitzpatrick

The meetings are lively and fun. Everyone has the opportunity to participate and the atmosphere is friendly and supportive.- Elizabeth Mancuso, CC

The meetings are professional but also fun. We help and encourage each other to be the best that we can be. I don’t know of any other place that will help reduce your anxiety when standing in front of a group.- Donna Walters

I continue to learn and develop my listening and evaluation skills. I am inspired by fellow Toastmasters who have tackled some of the Advanced Communication Speech manuals I haven’t tried yet- Su Brooks, DTM 2

I wanted to become a motivational speaker/performer, but wasn’t sure how or where to begin. Club members immediately supported my mission and within three months I was performing Choices & Voices, a program for young audiences addressing self-esteem and nature conservation.- James Scanlon

Red Bank Toastmasters meets the 1st, 3rd, and 5th (when applicable) Tuesday of every month at the address below.

Riverview Medical Center
Shrewsbury River Room, 5th Floor
1 Riverview Plaza
Red Bank, NJ 07701

For more information visit www.redbanktoastmasters.com or https://www.facebook.com/Red-Bank-Toastmasters-158722552892/

Meet the Area Directors: Begonia Reyes

Name: Begonia Reyes
Position: Area 21 Director
Club(s): Impact 21 and What Exit?
 
Other positions: VP of Membership at What Exit?
I have previously served as Sergeant of Arms at Brunswick Toastmasters and as Secretary at Brunswick Advanced.
 
How long have you been in Toastmasters? 
I started my journey in November 2014.
 
What are your plans for the district/area/division?
As an Area director, my plan is to work with the clubs and encourage them to participate in as many training as possible and get involved in contests either as a participant or as a duty holder.
 

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Tinton Falls Table Topics Dinner

“You’re up.”
 
The experience of hearing those two words after your first name marks a favorite occasion at meetings for Toastmasters – the opportunity to participate in a round of Table Topics.
 
On Thursday, October 5th Talk of Monmouth Advanced Toastmasters Club is hosting a Table Topics dinner meeting at MJ’s Pizza Bar and Grill in Tinton Falls, NJ from 6 to 8 PM. Calling all Toastmasters; you are invited!
 
As any Toastmaster will report, the multicolored-butterflies of nerves and enthusiasm that one feels fluttering in his / her stomach in anticipation of an impromptu speech gives Table Topics an air of excitement. Members frequently cite Table Topics as a favorite aspect of meetings. The problem is, with typical meeting Table Topics limited to five to ten speakers, not everyone is guaranteed to participate on any given night. Talk of Monmouth’s Table Topics dinners are different. If you attend, the likelihood that you will speak is very high! The two hour meeting will feature no prepared speeches; the time will be given exclusively to Table Topics. On similar occasions in the past all attendees have participated as speakers and we plan to repeat that trend this time around. We hope you will join in the Toastmasters fun and fellowship of this unique meeting!
 
Talk of Monmouth Advanced Toastmasters Club meets at 7:30 PM on the second Thursday of each month in the courtroom of the Tinton Falls Municipal Center.