From Author to Toastmaster

I first joined Hunterdon Speak Easy toastmaster club in March of 2016. I had just published my first book and was feeling very shy about speaking to the general public about it, so a few people encouraged me to seek out a Toastmasters club. I went to two other clubs in the district 21 area before deciding on Hunterdon Speak Easy, and I have to confess that it was the warmth and support that quickly encouraged me to become a member. Within a year, I had not only defeated my fear of public speaking but also earned a CC while working to complete a CL simultaneously. I also found myself participating in contests and taking on roles I normally would have been too shy to accept. 

My continued attendance and participation has enhanced both my speaking and leadership skills. Joining Toastmasters was a terrific decision for my professional and personal development. If you’re reading this and not quite sure about becoming a toastmaster, I will simply encourage you to trust the process. It works!! 

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.

 

Teamwork Makes Great Toastmasters

DTM Mike Rutkowski

It’s been said that timing in life is everything. When I first joined Hunterdon Speak Easy Toastmasters club in 2009, I was more interested in networking than public speaking. I soon discovered that I was surrounded by some incredibly talented and high performing people. Our club officers at the time included such well-known names as Pam Winter, Cyndi Wilson and Andrew Smith, all of whom were soon to become Distinguished Toastmasters and hold D83 executive leadership positions. This Toastmasters Dream Team eventually served as my collective mentors and soon invited me to become a club officer as well.

I found that I really enjoyed public speaking and competing in speech contests. After a few years, I had completed my CC and all Advanced Communication awards. Janice Buffalow lived nearby and was a frequent visitor to our club. She encouraged me to work the Toastmasters Leadership track, serve as an Area Director and pursue my DTM.

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Club Spotlight: Hunterdon Speak Easy

It’s easy to think of Toastmasters as one giant homogeneous organization. As any Toastmaster will tell you, that is far from the truth. Each club has a unique personality. Club Spotlight seeks to help current and future members find the right club(s) for their Toastmasters goals.

 

Club: Hunterdon Speak Easy Club

Charter Date: December 7, 2004

Recent Awards: Talk Up Toastmasters Award 2016-2017

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