Category: Toastmasters

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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Unexpected Benefits of Toastmasters

A question that I love to ask fellow Toastmasters is, “What are the unexpected benefits you have gotten by being a member?” All of us joined to improve our communication skills with a focus on making speeches. The Toastmasters program does offer great and low cost training on how to present in front of an audience but the program offers so much more! The additional benefits are the reason that I have been a member for 20+ plus years.

Some of the unexpected benefits I have received are:

  1. Self Confidence
  2. The ability to give and to accept and receive constructive criticism
  3. Networking opportunities and new friends from diverse backgrounds

As a child I was shy and awkward. I also do not have an athletic bone in my body and I still remember the awful feeling of always being picked last for a team—the player that no one wanted!

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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/

How Successful Clubs Earn President’s Distinguished

Successful clubs often earn the coveted President’s Distinguished Award multiple years in a row. Some of these clubs have several things in  common.

The club has all seven officer positions filled with most or all of the officers attending club officer training twice a year. The club officers meet regularly and train their successors. The officers develop a Club Success Plan and identify candidates likely to earn educational and leadership awards.

The club makes a point of collecting dues for Toastmasters International as well as club dues if applicable well in advance of the deadline so members and officers avoid last-minute scrambling. Some clubs have a policy of requiring their members pay dues for the full year all at once to avoid collecting again for the second dues cycle.

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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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Who Do You Let Influence Your Life?

Would you continue to ride your car despite having a flat in your car?
 
Would you drive your brand new car with 3 great tires and one flat tire? You’re probably thinking, “Of course not.” But guess what, we all do that figuratively. Not once, not twice, but many times in our life.
 
Let me ask you this: Do you drive with your emergency break on? It’s another way to ask “are you striving to win while you have someone or something pulling you down”?
 
Napoleon Hill constantly reiterates this point and is the source of the aforementioned powerful examples.  He believes we are the average of the 5 people we associate with or are influenced by on a daily basis.
 
Who are your 5 best buddies? How do they influence you? Do you choose your friends or does it happen at random? Do you let others come into your life and make an impact or do you choose who impacts your thoughts?