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.