District 1 Community Outreach Update ~ Winter Edition

Posted on January 23, 2018January 23, 2018 by District One Marketing

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!

Community Outreach Update Winter Edition

Reverend Joseph “Joe” Lee Love, DTM

Posted on November 26, 2017November 27, 2017 by Webmaster

by Laura Blackwell, DTM

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.

Always a District 1 Member!

Posted on November 16, 2017November 16, 2017 by Webmaster

Hello from Lompoc Valley of Flowers Toastmasters

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.

Saying Goodbye to a True District 1 Leader, Earl Mealins

Posted on November 10, 2017November 13, 2017 by District One Marketing

by Marie Sardinha

Dear Fellow Toastmasters and friends,

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

If you would like to give money the family has asked that donations be made to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation or The American Cancer Society

CDU Enhanced Post Baccalaureate Program and District 1 Launch Speechcraft

Posted on October 27, 2017November 4, 2017 by Webmaster

Tina Tomiyama

Margaret Mitchell addressing scholars

“Post Bacc Program seeking Speechcraft. Let’s start a relationship!” No one knew just what to expect when District 1 Toastmasters and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science’s (CDU) Enhanced Post Baccalaureate (EPB) Program joined forces to provide communication training to 15 scholars. Would the stars align?

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

Scholars work in pairs on their first assignment

Shar McBee is Sharing Her Tips on Leadership

Posted on September 17, 2017October 6, 2017 by District One Marketing

Shar McBee is an active member of Fox Talkz Toastmasters, mentoring many members including our current president Lisa Olivis. And for good reason: Shar turned her volunteer leadership experience into a successful career as a keynote speaker.

Before her very first keynote at an international convention, Shar practiced each piece of the speech in separate 5 – 7 minute Toastmaster speeches. Her first book, To Lead is to Serve, helped her get speaking engagements, and the speeches helped her sell books. President George W. Bush called the book “profound.”

Currently, Shar is launching a new workshop, “Leadership & Yoga” and, again, she’s practicing the workshop material in small pieces at Toastmasters. Kudos Shar! We are proud to have you as a member of Fox Talkz.

Matthew Robinson, VPPR of Fox Talks

Check out Shar in the September Issue of the Toastmasters International Magazine

District One Toastmasters Tristan de Montebello heading to the semifinalist round in the world’s largest speech contest

Posted on July 30, 2017July 30, 2017 by Webmaster

On May 20, 2017 Tristan de Montebello won the District One International Speech Contest and will be advancing to the Toastmaster International semifinal rounds of the contest, vying for one of 10 spots in the World Championship of Public Speaking® to be held at the Toastmasters International Convention Friday, August 25, 2017 in Vancouver, Canada.

Tristan, a member of Del Rey Toastmasters in Marina Del Rey, California, surpassed fierce competition to win over the judges with his speech, “Pull Up Your Pants.” The speech touched on the importance of courage to live a life true to one’s self. “I knew from the beginning that I wanted to speak about courage,” explains Tristan, “but it took me 3 months and 30 drafts to discover a message that I felt was worth sharing. The journey from a single idea to a final draft was an incredible learning experience.”

In preparation for the competition, Tristan worked with Public Speaking Coach Michael Gendler, who initially agreed to mentor him for his first 3 speeches. But after one week, Tristan had given 5 speeches at 5 clubs, and Gendler quickly realized that Tristan wasn’t a typical mentee. “I had never met anyone with a work ethic like Tristan’s,” says Gendler. “He would brainstorm new ideas in the morning, deliver them to a new club in the afternoon, and then study the video footage in the evening. Then he would wake up and do it all over again.”

Tristan’s work ethic stems from a larger passion for ultra-learning, a form of self-education focused on learning hard things in less time. In 2015, he founded AboutTheStart.com to help people get more from life by learning new skills as fast as possible. “I believe learning a new skill is incredible for our overall long-term happiness. The faster we can learn it, the less likely we are to quit and the more fun and fulfillment we experience.”

Tristan’s ultra-learning journey will continue as he sets out to compete against 101 other semifinalists from districts around the world. To learn more about the Toastmasters International Convention or to register, go to https://www.toastmasters.org/events/2017-international-convention. You can also watch his semifinal speech on August 24th on-demand through the Toastmasters International website and follow @Toastmasters on Twitter to track his progress.

Remembering a Distinguished Toastmaster

Posted on July 22, 2017July 22, 2017 by District One Marketing

by Janet Cormier, DTM

Shortly after joining Toastmasters about 10 years ago, an announcement was made that the Area Governor wound be visiting during the next meeting. Being new to Toastmasters I equated the visit to a visit from the Governor of California. When Mr. W. D. McCoy arrived I felt honored that he would take time out of his busy schedule to visit The City of Champions. Mr. McCoy passed away earlier this year and during his funeral services, he received full military honors. I will always remember his warm smile and his camera.

RIP Mr. Area Governor!

Meet Natalie Torres-Haddad

Posted on July 1, 2017July 1, 2017 by Webmaster

When Natalie Torres-Haddad joined Compton Elite Communicators last May, we were initially impressed by her bright smile and warm, friendly manner. After her Ice Breaker speech to the club, we were even more impressed by her presentation skills and the busy, interesting life she lives. Natalie often uses her club speaking time to practice upcoming speeches she plans to give to professional and business organizations. A rising star in our club, she is a skilled speaker and evaluator who serves as a model to us all and a mentor to our newer members.

Margaret Mitchell

Do you want to know more about Natalie?

Read the TM Magazine

Category Archives: Member Spotlight