Since 2012, Caitlin Chen, ACS, ALB has been an active member of ESL Toastmasters in El Segundo, CA. Over the years she has served as Club President, Secretary, Treasurer and is currently Area C7 Director for District 1.
Caitlin credits her personal and professional development to the communication and leadership skills she learned through Toastmasters because of her consistent participation in club functionary roles as well as learning and delivering different types of speeches. As a Bank Manager, Caitlin believes there is a direct link between the art of leadership and communications to one’s ability to attain financial empowerment.
Hence, one of her first blog post articles on her newly released finance blog is about this connection. Caitlin hopes to inspire her readers to join Toastmasters to build their skills and experience the positive transformation and confidence it can bring to its members.
Community Outreach—What’s That?
One of the realities of being part of a Toastmasters Club is that your membership will change over time and you’ll need to constantly recruit and add new members. At the club level, that’s the responsibility of the VP of Membership and the VP of PR. At the district level, there are many who work toward club growth. With the above in mind, It is my honor, as the District One Community Outreach Chair, to be part of that effort. I’m also blessed to have a team of like-minded Toastmasters. At various times during the week and at various locations we set up a kiosk or table decorated with banners and other District One logos. Next we pass out flyers to passersby We explain what Toastmasters is and, above all, we invite them to visit a nearby Toastmasters Club.
Simple enough, right! That said, the District One Community Outreach team needs your help. First, please send us an updated flyer that shows your club name, day, time and location of your meetings. If you’re having an upcoming Toastmaster event, such as an Open House, please send us a flyer for that, as well. Finally, if you have time, feel free to join the Outreach Team at our next outing.
Upcoming OUTREACH LOCATIONS: Westchester Park Farmers Market ~ Each Wednesday 8:30 – 1 PM Torrance Farmers Market ~ Contact Community Outreach Chair
Feel free to join us at the events above or, if you have an upcoming Toastmasters Club event, mail us your flyer and we’ll pass it out!
Everette William, Community Outreach Chair ~ E4j8will48@aol.com or 323.385.0587
6 Reasons I Became A Toastmaster ~ Patricia Williams, CC/CL
My husband, Everette Williams, had been a Toastmaster for over 14 years before I joined a club. For 12 of those14 years, I had been a “most welcome guest at many club meetings!” But one day I decided to join a club. Here are 6 reasons why!
ONE: Although I had always felt comfortable speaking before an audience, I thought being a Toastmaster would help me organize my thoughts.
TWO: I had helped with the Youth Leadership Program for years, I wanted to make that official.
THREE: In my church, I often take on leadership roles. It occurred to me that being able to better express goals and methodology would make me a better leader.
FOUR: Overtime I had come to enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie. And, again becoming an official member of a club enhanced that enjoyment.
FIVE: I enjoyed the opportunity and challenge found in self-improvement. And, Toastmasters is all about moving forward and improving.
SIX: On your Toastmasters journey, you achieve goals and move up in designations on both the communication and leadership track. With that in mind, I found a sense of pride in adding new designations after my name.
The Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program ~ INSTRUCTORS NEEDED!!! Communication and leadership skills are useful abilities at almost any age. With that in mind, Toast-masters created the Youth Leadership Program.Think of it as a program designed to teach youth from the ages of 12 – 17 the same skills adults learn at a club meeting.
All that’s needed is a room, tables, chairs and five youth from the ages of 12 to 17. Mature younger children may also be included. Then, one or two, experienced Toastmasters bring manuals, agendas, timing cards, lectern, Words of the Day and favorite quotes. They then teach the youth how to run a Toastmasters meeting. This includes Icebreaker Speeches, Speeches to Inform, Speeches to Persuade, Table Topics, and Evaluations. Programs last eight to nine weeks. The last meeting often acts as a culmination with the youth running a Toastmasters meeting and their families and friends acting as the audience.
And, by the way, any Toastmaster can start such a group. All one needs is a suitable location. Let’s not forget, a Toastmaster gets credit toward their ALS plus credit for any model speech they present. With all of the above in mind, if you’d like to be a Youth Leadership program instructor please contact Everette Williams at 323.385.0587 or e4j8will48@aol.com
My thanks to the District One Community Outreach Team: Jerry Cockrell, Yvette Ferrer, Pam Foster, Ann Guintivano, Joanne Masuguchi, Diane Wachi, Patricia Sheppard-Williams & others!
On January 12th, District 1 Toastmasters held “The Ultimate Open House Planning 101”. Led by Open House Chair Yuko Oshimo, DTM participants learned the purpose of and best tips on putting on an Open House.
Yuko Oshimo, DTM – Provided tips on for successful membership building including envisioning your club success, enrolling your club members into your vision and enrolling guests.
Lola! Love, DTM – Gave an inspiring speech about the importance of designing your dreams and a perfect example of what we are offering potential new Toastmasters members.
Sonya Vasquez, DTM – Offered tips on what and how to promote
Tina Tomiyama, DTM – Shared the 5 important things to think about in planning your Open House: 1) agenda, 2) food, 3) guest packets, 4) name badges/table cards & registration, and 5) guest comments
To learn more listen to the recording of the webinar, which can be found here.
We are searching for District 1 Toastmasters members who:
Are Successful in your professional lives:
Public Speakers
Social Media Influencers (bloggers, vloggers, etc)
Entrepreneurs (especially in technology, communications and other emerging fields)
Service Providers
Any other profession that would be of interest to our membership
Can attribute your success to being in Toastmasters
Are willing to tell current and potential Toastmasters how being in Toastmasters has helped in your success through a Facebook live event between February – June 2018
If this sounds like you or someone you know please send the following information by January 27th (deadline extended) to district.one.pro@gmail.com:
Name & Contact information
Length in Toastmasters
Toastmasters club(s) you are a current member of
Brief summary about yourself, the work you want to showcase and how Toastmasters has helped you (no more than 500 word)
A video explaining what you would like to share with other Toastmasters (videos should be no longer than 5 minutes in length and be sent in an MOV format)
Don’t think this sounds like you….send your video anyway! You are more fabulous than you realize!!!
This is an unpaid project. Speakers will be chosen by February 3rd.
Please note that by submitting your video you allow District 1 to use this video for promotional activities regardless if you are chosen to participate in the project. We may contact you for additional information.
Oh, what a man! Everybody who knew Joe can vouch that he was a fun-loving, professional, dedicated, and all-around person. He was a teacher, a scholar, a preacher, a fitness buff and an exceptional person.
As a toastmaster, he served District One well as area and district governor (director), and district photographer. He also was the founder of two Toastmasters club, Dynamic 90s and Ethical Elite. Joe served in all roles in both clubs. He achieved the level of Distinguished Toastmaster and received the Roy D. Graham Award.
Joe and his late wife, Shirley moved to Texas in 2010. Once settled, Joe joined a Toastmasters club in the Dallas area. He also was active in the Dallas branch of the AARP.
Joe made his transition from this earth on July 14, 2017 in Grand Prairie, Texas. He will be remembered as:
A friend to all he met.
The club mentor and member of his toastmaster clubs, Dynamic 90s and Ethical Elite.
A wise man who loved to quote scripture from his favorite biblical character, Solomon.
A great communicator and leader in his toastmaster, private, and public life.
He was a club founder; founder of Toastmasters club Dynamic 90s and Ethical Elite.
He was a counselor. As an ordained minister, he offered free counseling to those experiencing the throes of life.
He was a preacher. He, on occasion, delivered the message at the City of Angeles Science of Mind Center.
He was an athlete. He ran track during his high school days. He was an avid roller skater, bike rider, weightlifter, and all around sports fanatic.
He was an excellent storyteller. At any toastmaster meeting, he shared his life stories from his life as a foster kid, to his many jobs he held, to family, to being a teacher, to his time in the U.S. Air Force, and many more adventures he experienced.
He was a dancer. Toastmaster Edith has a clear memory of him doing the “running man”. Wherever there was a dance floor, you could find Joe, teaching or leading.
He was humorous. His jokes were dry; but, loaded with humor.
He was a salesman and networker. Using the sales skills he learned as a used car salesman, he was good at renewing members 100% and as well as recruiting new members.
He was an entertainer. We have fond memories of him performing as Ray Charles and a member of the Temptations Revue at our Toastmasters’ Christmas Party.
He loved to travel; traveling nationally and internationally.
He was well-dressed. Coming to our 8:00 a.m. Saturday meeting dressed in his suit and tie.
He was ageless. He could outrun, out-perform the best of the best.
He was family oriented. A dedicated husband to his wife, a father figure to his children, grandparent to his grandchildren, brother to his siblings, and friend to his relatives.
He was dependable and trustworthy. Joe was a man of his words, who was always on time.
Joe has been so much for so many, I could write a book on him and continue singing his praises; but as with all things, it must end.
May you forever rest in peace, my friend and fellow Toastmaster.
With Toastmasters new program and Pathways, I recently had to give a brand new icebreaker for my first Pathways Project.
It brought back many memories, especially how and why I started my journey in Toastmasters, where I’ve been, the clubs I’ve belonged to, but especially the friends I made in District One. Although I like living in Lompoc and I belong to a very good club here (Lompoc Valley of Flowers), I still miss my friends in D1.
In my icebreaker I related how I had joined my first TM club in El Cajon CA, but my Toastmaster memories really begin from when I joined Toastmasters in D1. That was where I began my journey as Area Governor, Division Governor, working with the District team as SAA, chairing contests, achieving my DTM, and especially when I helped charter and become a member of Professional Women Toastmasters.
I related how Laura Bayne Jarnat and I became known as the “B” team when we paired up to chair many area, division and district contests; how I had enjoyed the time I was on the committee with Lydia Boyd, Pat Allison and Michael Levinrad, chairing one of the last regional conferences held; but uppermost, the many friends I have made in District One.
This is a letter of thanks to Toastmasters, to all my friends in D1, and especially to the members of Professional Women Toastmasters, for their help, their friendship, for giving me the courage to say “I can do that.”
District One will always be my ‘Toastmaster home.’
Looking forward to seeing you when I visit Los Angeles, and perhaps even seeing some of you up here in wine country.
This Fall Season is the time of abundant blessings for our members. Congratulations on the achievements you are making as you Envision Your Experience (EYE) as a Toastmaster. Can you feel the transformation in your life? Continue to use the skills we gain inside our clubs and apply those skills to our lives outsideof Toastmasters.
On November 4th, we had our last ever Fall Conference. Congratulations to the conference team of leaders that delivered an amazing experience for our members. It was wonderful to see so many of you learning transformative skills to use in your lives. Please share your experience with your club members by asking your VPE to deliver a speech at an upcoming meeting. Share the leadership lessons learned and the team building skills strengthened. Write a blog about your experience and submit it on our District Website.
What is next? This season I invite you to meet with your mentor to examine the next level in your development. Assess your progress for this term and the plans you have for the upcoming new year – which is just on the horizon! If you are in need of a mentor, please feel free to send a message to me so that a wonderful match can be found for you. District One has beautiful mentors all over the district – ask and you shall receive!
I invite our experienced members to become a mentor and/or add more mentees to the relationships you are nurturing. Please let me know if you would like to help a fellow member — Your expertise is valuable!
Let us keep an EYE on each other and encourage one another. Envision Your Experience this season. I look forward to seeing you at the Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) on January 20th.
Believing in You,
Julie Broady, DTM
District Director “Envision Your Experience”
Yesterday our very good friend and Toastmaster, Earl Mealins, passed away. Some of you may not know him but he was instrumental in making Torrance Chamber Toastmasters the strong “President Distinguish” club that it is today. If you would have met him you would have found him stern and principled but a heart of warmth and care. Although that may sound contradictory it was every bit Earl. Earl was a member of several clubs over the years. He served as club mentor chair, District Sergeant at Arms and District Parliamentarian to name a few of the position he filled. But most of all Earl was a good friend. Someone you could count on and gave 100%.
Earl’s funeral service will be:
Sunday, November 12th at 12:30 pm
The First Lutheran Church
2900 W. Carson
Torrance, CA
Have you turned your Toastmasters club into a graveyard for your speeches?
Think about the average lifespan of a speech.
You may spend a lot of time coming up with an idea, planning your content and structure, and rehearsing your material.
Then the day comes when you deliver your speech in front of your club. The audience applauds your achievement. Your evaluator takes careful notes and gives you verbal and written feedback to help you improve your presentation.
Then what happens?
That’s it. It’s time to forget about this speech and move on to the next one.
This is the tragedy of Toastmasters: we put so much time and effort into preparing a speech, only to leave it to die as soon as we’ve presented it to our club.
What if, instead of abandoning your speech, you used the club’s evaluations to make it better?
What if that speech could find its way into a book so you could share it with family, friends, and anyone else you believed could benefit from your content?
The “Rough Writers” Toastmasters club showed this was possible when we launched our book, Speeches to Books: True Stories from the Rough Writers Club.
The Arduous Path to Publication
When we formed our club, most of our members agreed that we could use the Toastmasters program to help increase, improve, and promote our writing. A few of us had written books before, but most of us had only dreamt of becoming published authors.
A year or so after we chartered, we decided to stop dreaming and start working on a book together.
We faced an uphill battle from the beginning. Some people questioned whether a specialty club like ours could even survive, let alone become published.
First, we had to find volunteers to contribute content. After some convincing, nine club members agreed to participate.
Each of us delivered a speech based on our personal experience with a life-changing moment. The feedback we gathered from other members helped us refine our content into written stories.
We collected the stories and our club Editor improved them.
Following this was a long period of confusion while we tried to figure out which copies had been edited and which hadn’t.
Eventually, we got all the final revisions together, contacted a printing service, and were suddenly confronted with a whole new set of questions:
Who’s going to write the introduction, the foreword, and the acknowledgements?
What should we use for cover art?
How many ISBN numbers should we order?
These and other unknowns led to more debate and delays.
Finally, we made our final decisions and placed our order.
A few days later, we were staring inside an open box. For many of us, being able to pull a copy of the book out of that box and hold it in our hands was when it all became real:
We did it! We had just become published authors; some of us for the first time!
Keeping Our Speeches Alive
Now, instead of our speeches dying in our club; they live on bookshelves and coffee tables or travel in cars, bags, and envelopes on their way to new homes.
For the authors, these books will be a constant reminder of the stories we told, the work we put into them, and the support we received along the way.
For our readers, these books will serve as inspiration; not just because of the words inside but because of what they represent: a symbol of what can be accomplished when a group of people work together towards a common goal.
If you’d like to learn more about our process, pick up a copy of our book, or join us on our next project; please contact Brad Jorgensen at gnomedeplume@gmail.com.
Dr. Ngozi Chukwu, Director of the EPB Program, was searching for a way to enrich the communication skills of her pre-medical students and had heard good things about Toastmasters. Moreover, her former program assistant, Taynay Cameron, had previously participated in a Youth Leadership Program. In the spring of 2017, Taynay connected Dr. Chukwu with several Toastmasters, including the eminent Margaret Mitchell, veteran of four Speechcrafts; District 1’s 2016-2017 Speechcraft Chair Janet Cormier; and Karen Persip, who had chaired a Speechcraft at St Francis Medical Center.
Natalie Torres-Haddad works with two scholars on their Icebreaker
The planners met over the spring and summer to tailor the best possible experience for the 15 scholars for their Fall 2017 semester in the EPB Program. As Chair, Margaret enlisted her mentee Natalie Torres-Haddad as Co-Chair and signed up more than a dozen enthusiastic Toastmasters from seven clubs in District 1 to help.
With 15 scholar-participants, it was clear that not every scholar could give a prepared speech at every one of the 8 Speechcraft sessions. Margaret and Dr. Chukwu carefully worked out a syllabus to maximize the communication training that was possible. At each two-hour session, Speechcraft team members offer educational and demonstration speeches addressing one of the first eight projects in the Competent Communicator manual. Meanwhile, half the scholars give a prepared speech at each meeting while the other half practices Table Topics™. And not just any Table Topics™ — these topics are carefully aligned with the scholars’ curriculum.
The Speechcraft team includes Co-Chairs Margaret Mitchell and Natalie Torres-Haddad, Advisors Karen Persip, Martha Pickett-Patterson, Jessica Allen and Tina Tomiyama, and additional team members Daniel Andrade, Laura Brown, Richard Carbajal, Janet Cormier, Mello Desire, Shron and Alvin Hall, Diane Markham, Lydia Martinez, and Alonzo Williams.
Sponsoring and represented clubs are Compton Elite Communicators, Century City Toastmasters, C.I.T.I.E.S. Club, Ethical Elite, Mission Control, Praisemasters, and StoryMasters.
Did the stars align? How is the relationship coming along?
“I don’t know when I’ve been so impressed!” whispered Karen Persip as we listened to an hour of enthralling Icebreaker speeches. “These students are incredible!”
“Speechcraft really works in a college setting,” said Margaret Mitchell. “It dovetails with a semester or trimester system and provides a fine introduction to the Toastmasters program.”
Will CDU continue to include a Speechcraft in the EPB program in future? “I would love to incorporate Speechcraft into the program every year,” said Dr. Chukwu, smiling warmly, “In fact, the reviews thus far have been so positive, we have already begun to discuss ways of introducing it to the faculty and staff.”
Enjoy these 6 pictures of the first session, and stay tuned for the wrap-up in December.
Advisors Tina Tomiyama, Karen Persip, Martha Pickett-Patterson and Laura Brown.
Scholars discuss Icebreaker topics while Dr Chukwu (standing in doorway) takes pictures
Scholars stand and introduce themselves to the Speechcraft team
