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.