The Sunshiner - July 2020 Edition

THE SUNSHINER

DISTRICT 47'S OFFICIAL NEWS DESK

END OF A FANTASTIC 2019-2020 YEAR

I S S U E

N O .

1

2020-2021 DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

A TOASTMASTER LOVE STORY

J U L Y

2 0 2 0

TABLE OF

CONTENTS “Understanding comes through communication, and through understanding we find the way to peace.” Ralph C Smedley 2 End of Year Farewell 3-6 2020-2021 District Executive Council District 47 Events, Holidays and Celebrations 7 "Virtual Meetings...To Embrace or not" Lifestyle Lobby - A Toastmasters Wedding 8 Healthy Eat & Treat for the Everyday Toastmaster & Community Outreach 9 Virtual Empowerment Weekend Poetic Submission:RAVE 10 How is Toastmasters Beneficial Tips and Hints: Preparing for the 2020-2021 Humorous and Evaluation Speech Competitions 11 THE SUNSHINER TEAM

District 47 ends 2019-2020 Year in a BIG WAY!

by The Sunshiner Team

Whether winds blow, waves crash, or animals run, Toastmasters in South Florida & The Bahamas will stand no matter what! Where’s the proof you ask? In the face of calamity, circumstance, or setback, District 47 – inthe 2019-2020 year – weathered an unprecedented 180mph Category 5 Hurricane that took out 2 Bahamian clubs while emotionally and economically raving countless others, navigated its first ever global pandemic, and worked together to successfully host its meetings, events, and conferences completely on virtual platforms.

Led by DTM Leonardo C. Burrows as District Director, DTM Ivan Thompson as Program Quality Director, DTM Andy Bern as Club Growth Director, DTM Andre Kelly as Public Relations Manager, DTM Shakira Taylor as Administration Manager, DTM Barbara Strasdas as Finance Manager, TM Antoine Rolle as Logistics Manager, and DTM Maurice Fuller as Immediate Past District Director, District 47 ended the 2019-2020 Toastmasters Year as a Distinguished District! As of June 30th, 2020, here are the statistics: District 47 placed 2nd in membership payments, 2nd in distinguished clubs, and 2nd in paid clubs out of the eight Districts in all of Region VIII! District 47 scored an 85.8% percentile in the world for its membership payments and paid clubs (18th globally), and reaped a 94.2% percentile in the world for its distinguished clubs (8th globally).

The top Division in District 47 is The Bahamas’ Division F under the leadership of DTM Garth G. Jackson Jr. – the youngest elected Division Director for the 2019-2020 D47 Year! 2nd Place went to the Bahamas’ Division I under the leadership of DTM Deandra Dorsette. South Florida’s Division A and Division C under the leadership of DTM Clint Conliffe and DTM Austen Canonica placed 3rd and 4th respectively.

The top Area in District 47 is The Bahamas’ Area 60 under the leadership of DTM Ernesto G. Williams – an Area under the jurisdiction of Division F! 2nd place went to Division D’s Area 41 which was led by TM Valerie Johnson; 3rd place went to Division B’s Area 20 which was led by TM Janeille Calnick; and Division F’s Area 61, which was led by TM Gerard Rolle, secured 4th place.

The club with the highest education awards per 7/1 base membership ratio is Area 60’s own Chickcharney Toastmasters Club #971904 in Andros, The Bahamas under the leadership of TM Juliett Gaitor as President & TM Adrian Cox as VPE! 2nd place went to Area 61’s own New Providence Branch of Toastmasters Club #3596 under the leadership of TM Rodney Bain as President & TM Carl Culmer as VPE too. Also, 69 Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM) were owned and 20 new clubs were formed in District 47 for the 2019-2020 year.

Not a bad year at all! Actually, it was a stellar year of resilience & determination for the District!

2 | THE SUNSHINER

Meet the 2020-2021 District Executive Council

DTM BARBARA STRADAS DISTRICT 47 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM ANN MCLAUGHLIN FINANCE MANAGER #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

DTM SHAKIRA TAYLOR PROGRAM QUALITY DIRECTOR

"DISTRICT 47, TOGETHER WE CAN EDUCATE, ELEVATE & ENERGIZE OUR TOASTMASTERS EXPERIENCE THIS YEAR! IT WON’T ALWAYS BE EASY BUT CELEBRATING OUR SUCCESS WILL BE THE REWARD.'

DTM AUSTEN CANONICA CLUB GROWTH DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

DTM ANDRE KELLY PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER " E L E VAT I NG T HE ME MB E R E XP E R I E NCE T HR OUGH B R AND CONS I S T E NCY , P R OMOT I ON AND E F F E CT I VE COMMUNI CAT I ON. # CR E AT E # P R OMOT E # MAI NT AI N"

DTM PATRICIA STEVENSON DTM ROOSEVELT JEAN-FRANCOIS DTM LEONARDO BURROWS IMMEDIATE PAST DISTRICT DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER LOGISTICS MANAGER "AS A PERSONAL TRAINER, I HELP #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 CLIENTS GET OVER MOMENTARY #WERISE #WERISE MUSCLE PAIN AND FATIGUE BY SAYING

"IT'S ONLY MOMENTARY! FORGE AHEAD, YOU CAN DO IT!" I SAY THE SAME OF TOASTMASTERS."

DTM PAMELA ROLLE PDG- DISTRICT ADVISOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM SRIMATHI SRINIVASAN AREA 11 DIRECTOR

I BELIEVE IN A POSITIVE GROWTH MINDSET: “NOTHING IS THE END OF THE WORLD, IF IT IS WHY WORRY?” I AM COMMITTED TO SERVE AS AREA 11 DIRECTOR AND GROW TOGETHER IN THIS JOURNEY.

DTM KRISTINA KIHLBERG PDG- PID-DISTRICT ADVISOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM GUILLERMO PEREIRA AREA 12 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM PRICE POLYNICE DIVISION A DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM VALDA ADEYIGA AREA 13 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM PAULINE ESTY AREA 10 DIRECTOR

I AM A POSITIVE, SELF-MOTIVATED AND HELPFUL, 5-YEAR TM WHO CHOOSES TO BE EXTRAORDINARY: “THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY IS THAT LITTLE EXTRA”, JIMMY JOHNSON.

TM AURA BENCOSME AREA 14 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

3

| THE SUNSHINER

Meet the 2020-2021 District Executive Council

TM JONATHAN JEAN- FRANCIOS TM DIANA RODRIGUEZ AREA 21 DIRECTOR AREA 20 DIRECTOR "FELLOW TOASTMASTERS! ONE OF THE "THANK YOU TO DIVISION B AREA #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 MAIN TRUTHS I HAVE LEARNED AND DIRECTORS FOR EMBRACING THEIR CLUBS #WERISE WANT TO IMPART TO MY AREA IS THE AND GIVING IT THEIR ALL. BIG SHOUT

TM ARUN KRISHNAMOORTHY AREA 15 DIRECTOR

DTM LOIS MARGOLIN DIVISION B DIRECTOR

"I WANT TO EMPOWER DISTRICT 47 THROUGH EI, SINCE ITS PRACTICAL APPLICATION IS ESSENTIAL TO US. I WANT TO COACH MEMBERS IN EFFECTIVE NETWORKING AND BUSINESS SERVICES THROUGH EI."

TM SAMANTHA JONES AREA 22 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

DTM ANTHONY ELLIE DIVISION C DIRECTOR

"DURING UNCERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES EMERGE, EXCEPTIONAL LEADERS; BELIEVE YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! “DO NOT LET WHAT YOU CANNOT DO INTERFERE WITH WHAT YOU CAN DO.” JOHN WOODEN."

TM BERNARD CAMPBELL AREA 23 DIRECTOR

"AS A RELAXED, SYMPATHETIC, CARING AND EASY-GOING TOASTMASTER, I TAKE SYSTEMATIC APPROACHES WITH A CRYSTAL-CLEAR FOCUS TO GENERATE RESULTS. I AM COMMITTED TO BRING OUT THE BEST IN AREA 23."

"WE HAVE MEANINGFUL WORK AHEAD OF US, BUT WE WILL EMBRACE IT WITH ALACRITY. AS MARK TWAIN PONTIFICATED, “AGAINST THE ASSAULT OF LAUGHTER, NOTHING CAN STAND.” LET’S MOSEY, CONFRÈRES!"

TM ANDRE NOUDJO AREA 33 DIRECTOR

ABILITY TO EMPOWER OTHERS IN THIS PROGRAM AND BEYOND."

OUT TO THE DTMS WHO ARE HELPING MAKE US BLAZE NEW TRAILS - I APPRECIATE YOU!'

TM ROMINA GOTZMANN AREA 30 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

DTM VALERIE JOHNSON DIVISION D DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM JUSTIN MARGURIET AREA 24 DIRECTOR "DISCOMFORT IS THE PRICE OF ADMISSION TO LIVING A MEANINGFUL LIFE" -SUSAN DAVID

TM CONNIE FINKELMAN AREA 31 DIRECTOR

"I'M MAKING THE MOST OF SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH LOTS OF VIRTUAL TOASTMASTERS MEETINGS AND STAYING STRONG FOR WHEN WE MEET AGAIN IN PERSON. SO MUCH TO DO THIS YEAR!"

TM PENNY KIMBRELL AREA 40 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM NARDIA ALDRIDGE AREA 25 DIRECTOR

'AS A JAMAICAN, I AM A PROFESSOR" OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AT NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY. I SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY FOR 9 YEARS, AND HAVE A PASSION FOR HELPING OTHERS ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS."

TM AMBER LYNN KELLEY AREA 32 DIRECTOR

"AS A RUNNER, I HAVE OVERCOME MANY CHALLENGES. IN TOASTMASTERS AND AS AN AREA DIRECTOR, THIS IS AREA 32’S OPPORTUNITY TO RUN HEAD-ON TOWARDS THOSE OBSTACLES AND SUCCEED OVER THEM."

TM LINDA ELIE AREA 41 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

4 | THE SUNSHINER

Meet the 2020-2021 District Executive Council

TM JONATHAN KNAUS AREA 42 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM HYON GREEN AREA 43 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM JOAN DALIE AREA 44 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

DTM SARAH CHERRES DIVISION E DIRECTOR

TM LORI BAILEY AREA 50 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

DTM EUGENIO JARAMILLO AREA 51 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM EDUARDO LANDRON AREA 53 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM SEBASTIAN PINCETTI AREA 54 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM SANDI HUFFMAN-HANSEN DTM JULIANNA CLARKE AREA 55 DIRECTOR DIVISION F DIRECTOR ""BEFORE YOU ARE A LEADER, SUCCESS # D 4 7 T O A S T M A S T E R S 2 0 2 0 IS ALL ABOUT GROWING #WERISE

TM DEREK GARCIA AREA 60 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM KYLE THOMPSON AREA 61 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM LAPEEDRA DAMIANOS AREA 62 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

"TOASTMASTERS CHANGED MY LIFE. IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM IMPROVING THEIR COMMUNICATION OR LEADERSHIP SKILLS, SHARE WITH THEM THE GIFT OF THIS COMMUNITY!"

TM SHERRY MELTZER AREA 45 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM RICHARD CRUSAN AREA 52 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

YOURSELF. WHEN YOU BECOME A LEADER, SUCCESS IS ALL ABOUT GROWING OTHERS." – JACK WELCH"

TM EUVANKA PAUL AREA 63 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

5

| THE SUNSHINER

DTM VERNA BONABY DIVISION I DIRECTOR

"I STRIVE TO ALWAYS BE THAT RELENTLESS LEADER WHO DOES NOT GIVE IN TO OBSTACLES, CHALLENGES OR SETBACKS, BUT WHO RISES TO THE OCCASION TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE TEAM!"

TM JECHOLIAH BRAYNENBARNETT AREA 90 DIRECTOR

"MY ALTRUISTIC LEADERSHIP STYLE ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO INCORPORATE THE 4 C’S – COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION, COORDINATION, AND COOPERATION – AS A GUIDELINE TO THEIR SUCCESS."

TM BETHSHAN JULES AREA 91 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

TM HUBERT EDWARDS AREA 92 DIRECTOR #D47TOASTMASTERS2020 #WERISE

DTM ANCIN MUNNINGS AREA 92 DIRECTOR

"I JOINED THIS PROGRAM TO FIND A PATH IN LIFE. MY MANTRA IS THAT “WITH ANY OBSTACLE, DON’T MAKE EXCUSES – ONLY ADJUSTMENTS”. I AM ECSTATIC TO BE A MEMBER OF THIS GREAT TEAM! #TMD47"

District 47 Events, Holidays & Celebrations

Club Level Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contests: August 15th – September 30th Virtual District 47 Toastmasters Leadership Institute: August 15th Submission of Area Director Visit Reports: July 31st – September 30th Emancipation Holiday of The Bahamas: August 3rd Smedley Award Membership Building Exercise: August 1st – September 30th Division F Council Meeting: August 8th 10am via Zoom – contact divisionf@toastmastersd47.org for login info Division C Council Meeting: August 29th 10am 11am via Zoom – contact divisionctoastmastersd47.org for login info High Impact Speakers Virtual Open House Event: August 12th 6pm – 7:15pm via Zoom | contact Linda Elie @ 772-210-4672 for login info Club Officer Training – Round 1 Deadline to count towards DCP: August 31st Toastmasters International Virtual Convention: August 24th – August 29th free registration is now open at https://bit.ly/TICon2020_Register Labor Day Holiday of The United States of America: September 7th 6 | THE SUNSHINER

Lifestyle Lobby

A Toastmaster Wedding

BY DTM ERNESTO G. WILLIAMS

It goes without question that the leading educational nonprofit organization in the world – Toastmasters – uses “respect” in its nationwide motto to also admire and deeply regard the love that can blossom between its members. Yes – in the name of love and Toastmasters, District 47 salutes the newly-wed couple of TM Ashan & Owenique Culmer! Saturday June 13th, 2020 saw these two join hands in holy matrimony at Church of God of Prophecy on Carmichael Road in The Bahamas, loving titled “God’s Lighthouse.”

Photo taken by Clayton Smith. same Church of God of Prophecy – and became friends, but who knew They meet in 2009 at a church youth event – the that that friendship would blossom into something more once these two randomly collided in the halls of Luminaries Toastmasters Club #1510789 between 2014-2015 at the then College of The Bahamas Main Campus in Nassau, New Providence? Though TM Owenique S. R. Palmer at that time played hard to get, TM Ashan S. U. Culmer remained consistent and committed to one day fostering a relationship. In fact, a major reason for him staying and joining the club was because she already did!

In January 2017, that goal of his became a reality, and three years later, the two became one. And boy, what a wedding ceremony it was! You must know that two growing leaders and communicators in the program would assemble a proficient, true-blue, Toastmasters Wedding right? Emergency Lockdown orders limited attendance, so they orchestrated friends and other relatives to view via Zoom. Funds were limited, so they wisely called on their fellow Toastmasters from Luminaries Toastmasters Club and Visionaries Toastmasters Club #7548881 to usher, stand in the wedding, sing, read the scripture, and coordinate the proceedings. A reception couldn’t be held, so food was neatly packaged and provided via curb-side to all present.

Through it all, these two Bahamian Toastmasters enjoyed a beautiful joining, and saw Toastmasters as an integral element in the development of their love. If you desire, feel free to send best wishes to the couple through The Sunshiner at sunshiner@toastmastersd47.org.

Virtual Meetings

TO EMBRACE OR NOT TO EMBRACE?

THAT IS THE QUESTION!

BY TM SHVETA KUMAR

Room full of Thumbnails

A month into my joining Toastmasters, lockdown ensued and we moved to virtual meetings.

They are convenient and fun, you log in from the comfort of your home, it matters what top you are wearing, bottom who cares? You can mess around with your background, share screen, record, mute yourself, switch off video, be out and about and join from anywhere, any device.

And the reach is worldwide!

Members from different Clubs have engaged in international Club meetings. Even virtual training was conveniently organized.

Onscreen meetings are easy on the nerves, you are not facing a roomful of people but thumbnails on a screen. BUT, in person meetings have a wider scope of improving the skills Toastmasters is known for. You have to stand in front of people and present. That makes you work on your body language, voice volume, memory and nerves.

In person meetings also form firmer bonds, friendships and promote camaraderie. I can’t wait to get back to a real room full of people, not thumbnails.

7 | THE SUNSHINER

HEALTHY EATS & TREATS FOR THE EVERYDAY TOASTMASTER TM MARLENE WOLF, MD, FAAFP HEALTHCARE EDUCATOR

PUNDIT PIECE Eats and treats—are yours healthy or unhealthy? First, let’s call what we eat and drink what it really is: not a diet, but a food plan. Now the twist: let’s plan to eat food that’s actually good for our bodies, just as we plan for the edifying substance to a great Toastmasters meeting. Let’s have eats and treats that are nutritious as well as simple, easy, and delicious (the chaser, naturally, being water or unsweetened green tea).

Just remember to stop eating when you’re full. Listen intently and mindfully to your body’s needs as you would listen to a fellow Toastmaster’s speech. Then proceed accordingly.

This type of food plan is detailed by the U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the ChooseMyPlate initiative.

Community Outreach

This type of food plan is detailed by the U. S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the ChooseMyPlate initiative. The free new app developed by the USDA, “Start Simple With My Plate,” prescribes a winning regimen: More fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins such as hummus or lentils should be part of our food plan. We should eat to include a rainbow of colorful vegetables.

Fruit and nuts should be on our agenda as treats.

And though grocery stores can lay a snare, reading the food labels and serving size helps you choose wisely and to avoid foods with added sugars and ultra-processed snacks, chock-full of chemicals (indeed, you might consider this an ah-counter list of “do-not-eat” food).

So add the Toastmasters core value of excellence to your choice of eats and treats every day. After all, you are what you eat!

TM Arun Krishnamoorthy has began conducting a 8 week Youth Leadership Program which occurs every Monday 78.30 pm. He is participating in community outreach: you should too!

8 | THE SUNSHINER

RAVE Poem written

by SAUNDRA SACKS, ATM, CL Presented as a Rave

2020 Virtual Empowerment Weekend

BY TM ABBY MARTINEZ

This is a success story of a team that recreated the annual conference because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, District 47 members were still recovering from Hurricane Dorian, when the leadership team needed to immediately support and move clubs, areas, and divisions online. The annual conference went virtual to keep members safe but still engaged. Led by Jeanine Kinsey, DTM, PDD, this savvy and quick-minded Toastmaster became our Virtual Empowerment Weekend Chair. The original theme changed to: “Thriving Through Adversity” and was pushed to June 12-14. The interactive conference featured presenters, social time, story slam, and karaoke.

Event Statistics · The main room was open over 34 hours and 754 people joined an average of 4.9 hours each.

There was 21 hours of officer training and 829 members joined at least one session.

1258 individuals attended some portion of the weekend.

Trainers and facilitators Leonardo Burrows, Shakira Taylor, Antoine Rolle, Kristina Kihlberg, Brandon Kinsey, Maurice Fuller, Ivan Thompson, Barbara Strasdas, Antoinette Fox, Lois Margolin, Juliana Clarke, Euvunka Paul, Andrew Bern, Andre Kelly, Austen Canonica, Jeanine Kinsey, and Ancin Munnings.

Meetings are a play with characters, In common we are all Toastmasters.

Maybe you have something to teach?

So why not write a speech.

Get up & talk, there’s no need to balk, Soon Table Topics will be a walk in the park.

Discovering your voice modulation, Is a cause for celebration.

Accept a job as General Evaluator, You’ll soon become a great moderator.

When you speak and use your eyes, A good evaluation should be no surprise.

Control your ahs, errs, wells, you knows, You’ll soon become a master of prose.

Come to Toastmasters and give a speech At John Knox Village or on Zoom in Pompano Beach.

Help me please, I can’t stop this rhyming.

I’m afraid I’m going over timing.

I’m having fun but my tongue is getting numb.

My brain is going faster, faster Rescue me Hurry please Mr. Toastmaster!

Presenters Anthony J. Longley, International Director and Darren LaCroix, 2001 Toastmaster International Worldwide Champion.

Bill Kirby, Erin Coley, Lois Margolin, Samantha Inguanzo, Kip Barkley, Nina Obier, Dorrette Keen, Luis Bravim, Amibka Devi, Ernesto G. Williams, Marlene Smith, and Jim Barber.

“I encourage every opportunity to connect and learn with your fellow Toastmasters. On behalf of the entire District 47 leadership team, thank you for being part of this incredible experience,” writes Kinsey.

As we navigate this health crisis and the challenges it brings, Toastmasters inspires and connects leaders across the district and world. May we indeed continue “thriving through adversity”.

9 | THE SUNSHINER

How Beneficial is Toastmasters?

BY TM LUIZ BRAVIM

TIPS AND HINTS

Preparing for the 2020-2021 Humorous and Evaluation Speech Competitions

BY TM DUDLEY TURNQUEST

Marijke Adams joined Toastmasters after a verbal faux pas in her workplace turned the room stone-cold silent. Unintentionally hurting the feelings of a good friend in front of their bosses, she knew there was a way to elevate her speech game to greater focus, clarity, and control. Dr. Adams is a pharmaceutical scientist who works in research and development of new drugs.

Justin Margaruet, a licensed banker, read a book about sales in which the author wrote “if you can talk to 100 people, you can talk to anyone.”

Margaruet joined Sawgrass Toastmasters in December 2018 and recently championed the District 47 Humorous Speech Contest with “Me Hungry,” among the most dynamic speeches in recent memory.

Toluleke Famuyiwa, a Ph.D. student of integrated biology, was on the train and met Toastmaster Adi Devendra. FAU scholar, Famuyiwa, later parlayed his Toastmasters experience to a faculty position at Broward College and networking with professionals who have already helped grow his career.

Toastmasters’ benefits come regardless of age, industry, or nationality.

District 47, perhaps the most diverse in the world, has done more to develop public speaking and leadership skills in South Florida and the Bahamas than any other organization. Professor Famuyiwa notes, “I stay with Toastmasters because I’m continuing to develop leadership skills and communication skills. You cannot say that you achieved. You can always become a better speaker. I’m not a world champion.”

Dr. Adams, a leader in clinical pharmacology, recalls fondly her Toastmaster mentors over the years: Jacira Paolino; Joan Lewis, DTM; Barbara Riley; and Terry Spencer. A self-proclaimed workaholic, Dr. Adams credits the push to excel as well as surprisingly rich friendships to her sticking with Davie Toastmasters for the past fifteen years.

The best advice from Area Director Margaruet is “Just to speak. The only way to get better is by doing it. To take it to the next level, use all the resources around you.” In preparation for his success at the first Districtlevel speech contest held entirely over Zoom, Margaruet shared a video of his humorous speech with officers of Sawgrass Toastmasters. His mantra, always adjusting, proved especially valuable this year in a brand-new format due to the pandemic .

Indubitably, Covid-19 altered the way of life for billions around the world.

But it stands no match for the enduring value of a Toastmasters membership.

In my tenure as a toastmaster, I have been able to pick up on a few tools that help me when it comes to preparing for speech competitions. What follows is a few tips that will help you be better for both upcoming competitions.

When it comes to the humorous competition, please remember this is not a stand-up comedy session, but a speaking competition. You still need an introduction, body and conclusion.

Another thing worth remembering is that everyday life is funny once you word it properly, especially by using exaggeration. Yes, everyone has ran away from a roach, but no one dodge a kamikaze dive-bombing roach like you did.

The evaluation competition is not the typical evaluation that you may see in your club. This speech requires quick thinking as you choose how to present your critique. You can use the sandwich method: the process of starting with the good from the speech, mentioning areas of improvement in the middle, and ending with something amazing from the speech. Please make it beautiful though. Take the sandwich method and talk about how the speaker made a triple decker BLT sandwich.

Always remember that the judging resources are online. Print a few copies and use them to aid you as you follow my final bit of advice: Practice, Practice, Practice.

10 | THE SUNSHINER

THE SUNSHINER TEAM

Newsletter Editions are published every 3rd day of the incoming month

Newswcast

Tidbits News Casts are published every 12th day of the incoming month

DTM Ernesto G. Williams – Editor-In-Chief DTM Glenisha Albury – Design Editor TM Ryan S. Kelly II – Copy Editor TM Abby Martinez – Writer TM Luiz Bravim – Writer TM Shveta Kumar – Columnist TM Dudley O. A. Turnquest – Columnist TM Taimak Saunders – Production Editor TM L. Robert Knowles – Video Editor DTM Elbert C. Thompson – News Anchor DTM Antionette Fox – News Cast Writer

Send all submissions, thoughts and suggestions to sunshiner@toastmastersd47.org

11

| THE SUNSHINER