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.

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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Club Spotlight: Germinators

Club: Germinators (00927494)

Charter Date: June 27, 2006

Recent Awards: President’s Distinguished – Perfect 10 (DCP Points), Distinguished Toastmasters, 3 Triple Crowns, and more!

Club members in their own words:

“Being a part of the Germinators has opened my eyes to how a passionate group of people can work together to lift each other up and outperform as a team. My favorite part of being in the club is when an international colleague says, ‘Hey, aren’t you one of those Toastmasters?’ It brings me so much joy to get e-mails from all over the global organization asking what we do and how they can be a part of this thriving community.” – Danielle Mazza, ACB, ALB

“Before I joined the Germinators, I thought I was a decent public speaker. I quickly realized that Toastmasters is a lot more than a public speaking club. Germinators has taught me so much about leadership through my roles as VPE and now President of the club. I even had the opportunity to compete in a speech contest at division level last fall” – Sabrina Behnke, CC, ALB

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Club Spotlight: Impact 21

Club: Impact 21

Charter Date: March 29, 2002

2016-2017 Officers: Left to Right: Area 51 Director Oscar Ocasio, ACG, ALB, President Marjorie Nazaire, CC; VP of Education Manny Reyes, ACG, ALB, VP Membership; and Treasurer Cyndi Wilson DTM, VP PR Margarita Estrada, ACS, ALS; and Sgt. at Arms & Secretary Mario Lewis, ACG, CL

 

 

Club Members In Their Own Words:

I was painfully shy and could not even present my final graduate paper to my peers.  English as a second language also pushed me back to a dark corner.  My best friend told me about Toastmasters.  I visited Impact 21 in January 2016 and felt at home.  The club has given me my voice back and I realized that my accent should not be an handicap.  I shared my story with my fellow toastmasters and they gave me a confidence that I did not know existed in me.  Little by little I left my comfort zone, and volunteering for table topics allowed me to start and be part of any conversation. – President Marjorie Nazaire, CC

I joined Toastmasters because I wanted to be a better speaker and presenter. But I never thought I would find joy, friendship, camaraderie and passion for growth and personal development.  I started in Toastmasters by locating the Club that was closest to my house, where I have been a member for some time now. I have learned in turn that more than convenience you have to look for the Club that is the closest to your heart. Where you find that you can grow and help others in their own journey. A Club where you can see the type of leaders and speakers that you feel the closest to your own likes and needs. Where you learn and help others learn. Where every meeting is an adventure and a documentary of things that happened, things that are happening and things one hope will happen. Putting these goals and treasures together is how I ended up coming to Impact 21. – Manny Reyes, VP of Education, ACG, ALB

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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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Meet the District Officers: Willie Markert

Name: William Markert        

Willie’s always busy. Here he is setting up timing lights for a district conference.

Position: Finance Manager

Club(s): Open Door Toastmasters, #681602

Other positions: Treasurer (4X), Area Governor, Division Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Club extension chair

How long have you been in Toastmasters? About 13 years

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Meet the Newsletter Team: Janette Alexander

Name: Janette Alexander           

Position: District Newsletter Editor

Club(s): Solix Toastmasters

Other positions: Area 22 Governor, Division A Director

How long have you been in Toastmasters? 7 years

What are your plans for the district/area/division?

I’m looking forward to another exciting year and my aim is to publish informative and interesting stories in the newsletter!

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Register for the Fall Conference

Are you ready for the Fall Conference? If you haven’t registered yet, click here to do so. Currently, the price for early registration is 65 dollars, but act fast because the price goes up 5 dollars on September 1st. 

Why You Should Participate in Contests

Print out this flyer and hand it out at your next meeting!

When your Vice President of Education asks whether you want to participate in the club contest this August, resist the impulse to turn away. Instead, say “yes.”  You’ll thank yourself for doing it! I’ll tell you why you should participate in your club’s Table Topics and Tall Tales contests.  


Table Topics is tailor made for busy people. No speech preparation necessary. You are asked a question and you answer it in 1 to 2 minutes.  Simple, right?  The question is designed to be open ended, so every answer is the correct answer because it is just your opinion. The response needs to be at least one minute in length and no more than 2 minutes 30 seconds.  You can speak for a minute or use all your time. Every member in good standing is eligible to participate, whether they have 2 months experience as a Toastmaster or 2 years. By the way, “good standing” means the member has paid his or her dues. So what’s the catch?  
 

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Club Spotlight: What Exit?

Club: What Exit? (5124091)

Charter Date: September 20, 2016

Recent Awards: For 2016-2017, What Exit? achieved a rare thing for a brand new club, we became a Select Distinguished Club in less than a year of being chartered!

Club members in their own words:

“Swathi (Karamcheti) and I founded the club because we realized that as involved as we both were, we didn’t share a club and we thought that was a shame. Very soon, our club, meeting on Saturday afternoons, was drawing people from Bergen County to Monmouth County and we knew were were onto something.”-Susan Chrusciel

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