Category: Events

Meet Fall Recognition Event Keynote Speaker, Stefano McGhee

This Saturday District 83 will be recognizing all members that earned an educational or leadership award from July- September 2019. In addition to awarding members and clubs that achieved these incredible accomplishments we will have Stefano McGhee, Regional 9 International Director as our Keynote Speaker.

Stefano McGhee has been a member of Toastmasters since 2005.  In 2005, Stefano’s wife insisted that he attend a membership night at her local club, Network Voice Toastmasters.  While he would have preferred to stay at home, he finally gave in to his wife and attended the meeting and has been a member of Toastmasters ever since.  In the Fall of 2011, he earned the Distinguished Toastmaster award along with his wife.  The Distinguished Toastmaster Award is the highest award in Toastmasters, awarded for successful completion of many leadership and speaking projects. Stefano is a two-time District Governor/Director of District 31 Toastmasters and is one of only two people in the District to hold the role twice.  Stefano was also elected to serve on the organization’s Board of Directors in 2019 and is developing strategy for the organization’s future. Stefano works in Information Technology and also recently retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Rhode Island Air National Guard.

Toastmasters has helped him achieve many of the great things he enjoys in his professional and military careers.  He enjoys, motorcycling, boating and flying every day he can.

I got the chance to speak with Stefano to learn a little more about him and his experience with Toastmasters:

JB: How did you hear about Toastmasters? 

SM: My wife had been a member for five years and her club was having guest nights every few months and she repeatedly insisted that I attend.

 

JB: Why did you end up joining the club?

SM: I enjoyed the people, the environment, helping others and refining my own skills.

 

JB: What has been the greatest takeaway being a Toastmasters member?

SM: The organization is so much more than giving speeches in your club. You gain an expanded network of acquaintances around the world. Toastmasters taught me that helping others make me feel good about what I do.

 

JB: If you could go back to your icebreaker speech and give yourself one piece of advice what would it be?

SM: Don’t change a thing 🙂

 

JB: How has your experience been as Regional 9 International Director?

SM: There is a lot to get acquainted with in how the Board and World Headquarters interoperate. It also has provided me with a new opportunity to help our membership understand the foundations of our organization. It also is a great role where I have the opportunity to inspire them to help all of our members achieve what they came for in the organization.

District 83 2019 Banner Design Contest

As the 2018-2019 Toastmasters year comes to a close, District 83 is excited to celebrate another year of being an international Distinguished District. With the International Convention next month in Denver, it is important to think of ways to stand out while we network with Toastmasters from around the world and get the 2019-2020 year off to a strong start. What better way to showcase your creativity (and earn some incredible prizes) than to enter the international banner design contest? Here are the details:

  • The contest is open to members in good standing, though certain district leaders are not eligible to enter (District Director, Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director, and Public Relations Manager). The winning design will be presented on a 4 ft by 8 ft banner that will be carried on stage by the District 83 team at the international convention on August 22nd during the Parade of Distinguished Districts.
  • The design MUST include the Toastmasters logo as well as the words “District 83 Toastmasters-Distinguished District” with the 2018-2019 District 83 theme in mind: ProACTIVE EmPOWERment. Not a graphic artist? Team up with a talented friend and split the award and recognition that comes with it.

Besides the international recognition your design will give you, you will be featured in the District 83 newsletter and blog for your incredible work. Have you had your eye on an item in the Toastmasters International shop like that portable banner stand or Toastmasters branded tablecloth for a polished and professional look for all of your club’s future meetings? The winning design will be awarded a $50 gift certificate to go toward any item(s) of your choice in the shop.

With the convention fast approaching, we encourage you to use the designs from past years, displayed below, to help you get started. You’ll want to have your design submitted to Jenna Barone, Public Relations Manager (jennabarone92@gmail.com) and Margarita Estrada, Immediate Past Public Relations Manager (Impact21estrada@gmail.com) before or by Sunday, July 21, 2019 to enter the contest.

We look forward to seeing some creative designs and cannot wait to proudly showcase District 83 in style at the international convention.

Introducing Pres Vasiliev – Keynote Speaker for D83 Fall Celebration: Recognizing Success!

Pres (Presiyan) Vasiliev, 2013 World Champion of Public Speaking (WCPS),  Keynote Speaker for the District 83 Fall Celebration:  Recognizing Success! (for individual members and clubs) on Saturday, November 17th, at the APA Woodbridge Hotel, 120 South Wood Avenue, in Iselin, NJ.  (Go to tm83.org to register!)

On Saturday, October 20th, 2018, Margarita Estrada, District 83 Public Relations Manager, had a conversation with Pres Vasiliev, where he shared his feelings about winning the WCPS in 2013 for his speech, Changed By a Tire, as well as his enthusiasm about his visit to District 83.   

What are your thoughts about coming to the District 83 Fall Awards and Recognition Celebration?

I look forward to meeting the members of District 83!  I can’t wait to help them become better storytellers and give them the tools they need to share their message more effectively and convey their vision more memorably. 

What does Proactive Empowerment mean to you in terms of Leadership?

I see it as a great strategy for building a better club and a better organization.  Why?  Because when you proactively help your team members – with your time, with your advice, with your encouragement – you trigger in them the desire to return the favor.  The more you help your team members, the more they will help you.  Such a team effort can achieve astonishing results.

What can we expect in your keynote address?

You will witness the defeats and triumphs, the decisions and discoveries, the mentors and helpers that shaped my journey to World Champion of Public Speaking.  You will also pick up powerful public speaking tools, tactics and techniques that you can apply right away to improve your communication and leadership skills. 

Tell us about your experience winning the World Championship of Public Speaking.  What have you learned?  What surprised you?

The biggest lesson for me was this: Believe in yourself, your story, and your message.  During my journey, there were moments of self-doubt – moments when I wondered, “Will the audience connect with me and my message?”  But the hard work and the help of fellow Toastmasters gave me the confidence I needed to succeed.  My preparation included speaking in more than 50 clubs.  What surprised me was that I learned something new from each club.  You never know where a good idea will come from, and as long as you stay open to feedback and help from others, you will gain tremendous insight.

How has Toastmasters impacted your life?

Toastmasters changed my life.  It built my confidence, sharpened my communication skills, and helped me launch my dream career as a professional speaker and executive speech coach.  Today I do what I love – speaking, teaching, and coaching give great meaning to my life.

Storytelling seems to be the ‘buzz’ word in the media.  What role does storytelling play in your presentations and why is it so important?

Stories help my audience experience my message.  If you give your audience a laundry list of lessons, chances are they won’t remember more than one or two.  But if you weave these lessons into a carefully crafted story, then your lessons will be much more memorable.  Moreover, when you use personal stories to get your message across, your audience will not only learn from you but also connect with you.

What advice do you have for fellow Toastmasters?

Always reach out to others for help and advice.  Seek feedback, take notes, and never stop asking questions.  With the help of others, you can achieve your goals and dreams.  During my journey, I found great mentors and coaches who helped me achieve my goal.  And if I can do it, so can you. 

If you were to define your life in one word, what would it be?

Persistence.  When I look back at my life, I see the willingness to keep going no matter what comes my way.  For me, the key to success is setting high goals and then persistently working towards their achievement. 

This event will truly be a celebration!  We will recognize Toastmasters 25+ years as Club Members!  These are Toastmasters who have been active in our organization for 25+ years.  In addition, we will recognize Pathways Guides and Ambassadors, as well as clubs who have attained the following as of September 30th.

  • Distinguished as of September 30th
  • Smedley Awards 
  • 20 Member Club & Club Strength
  • Friendly Neighbor
  • Traveling Gavel
  • Club Anniversaries (5-yr intervals)
  • New Clubs
  • Area & Div Directors Submission of Success Plan
  • Attendance at Summer TLI

The District 83 Toastmasters Fall Celebration:  Recognizing Success! will be held on Saturday, November 17th, at the APA Woodbridge Hotel, 120 South Wood Avenue, in Iselin, NJ.  Bring your friends!  Bring your family!  Bring your work colleagues!  You don’t want to miss it!  To register go to:  tm83.org!  If you have any questions, please email Co-Chair Emilia Volyand at ebheat@aol.com.

 

District 83 – Youth Leadership Program

The Youth Leadership Program (YLP) is a workshop consisting of eight one- to two-hour sessions that enable young people under the age of 18 to develop their communication and leadership skills through practical experience.

In the workshop, young people learn valuable communication and leadership skills including but not limited to preparing and giving speeches, giving constructive feedback (Evaluation), giving impromptu talks (Table Topics), understanding and controlling various speech features like their voice, vocabulary, gestures, use of speaking area and more.

The YLP workshops are structured for small group learning and are limited to 25 students. A coordinator who attends each meeting facilitates them. Meetings generally follow a format similar to that of a Toastmasters club meeting, with an announced agenda that includes practice in parliamentary procedure, prepared and impromptu speeches and the selection of presiding officers.

If you want to be an YLP Coordinator or want to know more about the program, please contact District 83 YLP Coordinator.

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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What I Learned from Apex Toastmasters, NC

Its not easy to have consistently practice a discipline, but some clubs are great at this mantra. While I was on vacation in Apex, North Carolina, I dropped into Apex Toastmasters. From the moment I stepped in to the room, I felt the energy of positivity and achievement. I can’t explain the energy in words, but I can surely share the observations that stuck in my mind after the meeting.

* Greet everyone like its the first time – No, not just the new members. Everyone greeted each other like they saw each other for the first time. Its safe to say that all members were emulating the role of a VPPR.

 

* Be on time – I am the first culprit as I didn’t practice this fully and completely to this very day in my club as a past club president. We were at least 5 seconds late. Apex Toastmasters started on time. When I say on time, I meant 7.15 pm sharp. The sergeant-at-arms did a marvelous job by saying… 3 minutes more, 2 minutes more, 1 minute more…lets take our seats.”

 

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Toastmasters of Westfield Speech Contest

Toastmasters of Westfield will have a Fall Speech Contest on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 7:45 pm at Sunrise Assisted Living in Westfield, NJ. The purpose of the contest is to allow people to accelerate growth as a speaker, leave one’s comfort zone and challenge our members.

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Toastmasters Fun in the Carpool Lane

Carpooling is smart when people are going to the same place at the same time from the same location, or in some cases coming from different locations. For attending Toastmasters activities, carpooling is not only convenient, but it can also be fun, economical and lead to great ideas.

Years ago, a few of my club members and I decided to attend Club Officer Training together. We live near the southern end of District 83. I volunteered to drive since one member didn’t like to drive at night and another did not like to drive to unfamiliar locations alone. She said, “It is all the way up in Old Bridge.” Personally, I thought that was a bit funny since I do not think of Old Bridge as a distant location from my house, but we carpooled and used the time to brainstorm ideas for our club and enjoyed the time together.

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You’re Invited to the Hunterdon Speak Easy Club Contest

Conference Chair June Kellogg

We are ramping up for our club speaking contest, August 28, 2017 at the auditorium at Hunterdon Medical Center, 7:30 – 9 pm.  All are welcome.

Two categories are Tall Tales and Table Topics.

This is a great opportunity to throwdown in the “speaking gauntlet” and participate or volunteer in the contest for leadership requirements.

Please RSVP to June Kellogg at jkfroghouse@gmail.com.

 

Why Hold a Club Contest?

Joe Plahutnik introduces John Connors at a Freehold Phraser’s speech contest.

For most people, the seasons are Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring. For Toastmasters, the seasons are Officer Training, Contest Season, Officer Training, and Contest Season. For Fall 2017, District 83 is holding two contests: Tall Tales and Table Topics. Club contests are traditionally run in August. Winners move on to Area contests in September and Division contests in October, eventually culminating in the District contest at our Fall Conference on November 18.

But why hold a club contest at all? Here are four great reasons:

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