Summer 2015
DOWNTOWN TOASTMASTERS
Club 4350 District 65 Area 17
In the summer I stretch out on the shore And think of you Had I told the sea What I felt for you, It would have left its shores, Its shells, Its fish, And followed me.
~ Nizar Qabbani
D E N I O J I Y H W S R E T S A M T S A TO WHY DID I JOIN TOASTMASTERS? by Tasha
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TOASTMASTER STARTS A YOUTH PROGRAM by Amanda
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A WORD FROM THE BOARD by TM Board Members
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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TOASTMASTER EXCURSIONS
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N I O J I D I D Y H W ? S R E T S A M T S TOA
I am a recent graduate of Houghton College with a Bachelor in Business Management. One trait that sets me apart from other managers is the ability to coach employees to work as leaders regardless of their position. I first learned about Toastmasters at the Buffalo Employment Training Center. My initial thought was a visual of everyone walking around having small conversations with a drink in their hand. Every time they were done with their speech they would raise their glass and say, “Cheers.” This tribute was their conclusion to move on to the next group of people and share something else. After doing some research, I found I was totally incorrect and I laughed at my wild synopsis. As time continued, my knowledge of Toastmasters grew and I became all the more eager to join. Yet, that zeal dwindled when I realized I had no money. I was at the point where my car could be repossessed at any time, where my bills weighed more than I, and where my family was experiencing the same drought. Nearly a year went by and things got a little better. I was still iffy about the payments but I mustered up the courage to be a guest and give myself an opportunity to communicate freely, without tripping over my words while speaking with family, friends, coworkers, and business partners. I would also have the privilege to become an effective leader, for a true leader is one who makes replicas of themselves while allowing the other person’s character to flourish. This establishment is highly supportive of my endeavors and, with the help of a great and true friend, has produced an agreement that compliments the both entities. When that was shared with me, I cried tears of joy, acceptance, and a future. Surely, I will always re-evaluate my visuals but now I can see myself as a Toastmaster cheering myself on. Maybe, somewhere in the future, there will be a ‘Sight-masters.’ ~ by Tasha Hairston
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S T R A T S R E T S TOASTMA M A R G O R P H A YOUT
Here at Toastmasters, we spend an awful lot of time talking about leadership; leadership in our careers, clubs and families. However, I find that sometimes we (myself more than anyone) become so wrapped up in how these leadership skills can benefit us and forget that being a leader is really about benefiting others. Over the past few weeks I have had the honor and privilege of being reminded how important it is to take the skills I have learned at Toastmasters and share them with others, especially those who are not as blessed as I am to afford membership fees and transportation to one of our fantastic Toastmasters meeting. This privileged was awarded to me by the ACCESS Center of WNY in Lackawanna. This is an organization that helps Arab American immigrants and their families become a part of the wider community. The organization offers classes in citizenship, English, Arabic, parenting, as well as runs summer and afterschool programs for the children in their community. After being introduced by fellow Toastmaster Jerry to the wonderful Gamileh (Executive Director of ACCESS WNY), we almost immediately set to work on getting together a Toastmaster Youth Program. When I started, I was not even aware that this program existed, but after a bit of research and a ton of logistical maneuvering we managed to run a successful 8 week program.
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PHOTOS BY DEBBIE HUNT
I have many people to thank for helping me get to the end of the program, but most of all I have to thank the kids; for showing up, for listening (or not listening to me) and for putting my creativity and leadership skills to the ultimate test. There were moments of frustration but these were balanced out by breakthroughs made all the more special because of those rough spots. I was inspired by these kids; who brought in words of the day like thaumaturge (a word which even Microsoft word does not know how to spell) and who gave speeches about the Muslim religion and culture. They just wanted people to know they were not all terrorists. At the end of the day I am not sure who learned more, me or them. Aristotle once said “Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach�. I highly encourage everyone to test their understanding of everything they have learned from their Toastmasters journey by teaching this knowledge we are so fortunate to be able to have. - by Amanda Cullen
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M O R F D R O W A THE BOARD
SERGEANT AT ARMS
Kevin cratsley
As I prepare to step down as your current SAA I take a breath and begin to look back on my year as SAA. The SAA position is not the most notable position but it is just as good of a feeling as another position on the board. It was my honor and duty to setup the room before each meeting and make sure that the speeches that needed technology had it. However, as many of you have seen, even though I am in technology, doesn’t mean it is willing to work properly! Being on the board this year has helped me to understand how the board works and some of the ins and outs of Toastmasters. I sit and try to think of some of the dislikes I have and the only thing that comes to mind is missing meetings due to other obligations. Next year, I plan on running for President. I know it is a big step from SAA to President but, I know of some changes that are coming from Toastmasters International concerning how the leadership and communications tracks will be handled, and I feel that it would be good to get in and help our Downtown Toastmasters get the most of the changes and thrive. Thank you for a great year as your SAA. 8
TREASURER
WENDY Huss
The Treasurer is responsible for Club financial policies, procedures and controls. The treasurer collects dues, deposits cash & checks to the First Niagara account and pays dues to Toastmasters International each March and September while maintaining a record of the dues. Additionally, the Treasurer processes new member applications on Toastmasters International website, which is my favorite part of the role as I am able to help new Toastmasters start their journey. Together with Sargent at Arms, VP of Education, and rest of the Club Executive Board decides what supplies need to be ordered. Finally, the Treasurer makes financial reports to the Board at our monthly meetings.
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SECRETARY
kasia dec.
Two years ago I became a Secretary because I wanted to learn about the inner workings of our Club while helping with the organizational side of the meetings. The obvious “bonus� came in form of honing my listening and writing skills and the not-so-obvious benefits have to do with: a) Learning how to motivate people, so they do what I want them to do = fill in the Agenda before our Friday meetings, b) Composing Monday & Wednesday messages in a manner, that not all the members will automatically discard them (based on the feedback I am receiving, my method works, but I am not sharing the data!). Being a part of the Board brings the joy of meeting on a monthly basis with a group of engaged and enthusiastic professionals who cooperate to make Downtown Toastmasters the best Club in the Region!
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VP OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
jerry theresanathan
I took on a the position of Vice President of Public Relations just a few months after becoming a Toastmaster member. I did not know what I was jumping into, but after a year of serving on the board I am glad I took that leap. Some of my responsibilites include maintaining the social media and website, and creating the seasonal newsletters. I am currently completing my masters at Canisius and I have spoken to several students about becoming a Toastmasters. It is important to keep the website and social media uptodate, this generates a positive image to guests who are interested in attending our meeting. One thing for sure is that the upkeeping of the Downtown Toastmasters club is a combined effort from all the boardmembers. It has been a privilage to be apart of a board with a diverse and competent group of people. I am also proud to be a member of the Downtown club. As I step down from this position, I would be happy to help the new VP of PR transition into the position. I thank everyone who voted for me and thank the boardmembers for a wonderful experience. 11
VP OF MEMBERSHIP
sara jablonski
As the Vice President of Membership for 2014-2015, my main responsibility has been to make guests feel welcome at the club and answer their questions about joining Toastmasters. I respond to online inquiries with information about our meeting locations and times that are sent via the club's website. I also follow up with guests via e-mail thanking them for visiting our club. At meetings, I welcome guests as they come in (when I arrive on time) and other club leaders help with this as well. I also check on guests at the end of meetings to see if they have questions about joining. Debbie and Wendy handle getting new members registered, but I believe that's supposed to be my job as well! I also have my cell phone number up on our website, so I occasionally get calls from people interested in learning more about Downtown Toastmasters. The role does require a little bit of time outside of club times as well as before and/or after meetings, but it's not a huge time commitment. I am happy to help the new VP of Membership transition into this position! 12
VP OF EDUCATION
debbie hunt
Over the years of being a toastmaster, I have to admit that being the VP of Education has been my favorite role. Serving in each other of the officer roles has been rewarding but VP Education has allowed me to fully engage in the heartbeat of our club. DTTM has a rich history of exemplary members as well as an excellent track record for being a strong, thriving club. The foremost part of this role is to encourage and follow each member’s journey through the education and leadership tracks. Encouraging members to take on meeting roles, mentoring, and overseeing club speech contests. Filling an officer role does not mean that you have to do the job alone, being an officer simply means that you are responsible for ensuring the job gets done. At DTTM we have such a strong foundation and many members are always there to pitch in and help. One of the best experiences you will ever have as a Toastmaster is when you decide to become a club officer! You’ll learn so many new things about leadership, motivating others, and group dynamics… and it’ll be FUN, too! 13
PRESIDENT
glenn gordon
As president, I chaired our monthly board meetings. Even more importantly, I scheduled those meetings. When chairing the board meetings, I ensure that we have an agenda, and that we stick to the agenda. As a club, we have an awesome board, and running these meetings is a pleasure! I am always examining the operations of our club. Do we have good retention and good participation in the meetings? Are members able to fill a role without too long a wait? If I see these or any other problems, I put them on the board agenda, and ask the board how to address them, perhaps proposing solutions of my own. Our evening meetings early in the year came out of these discussions. It is important to me, as it is to you, that our club be a warm and welcoming community. When a new face appears at our meeting, I introduce myself and I start a relationship with the guest. This is no more than what many of our members do. It is incumbent upon the board to set a good example in this regard, and our club has excelled in this area. Retention is a particular concern of mine. My experience shows that an active member is one who will stay with club. Please think about taking a role on the board to help the club remain strong. This is not a rule, just my recommendation. Only you can keep this club great. 14
UPCOMING EVENTS DOWNTOWN TOASTMASTERS ELECTIONS Health Now Building June 19 | 7:30 am
ALL STAR CELEBRATION: District 65 Year in Review Waterloo Holiday Inn
June 27 | 5 - 9:30 pm
SUMMER PICNIC Casa De Gordon July 10 | 6 pm (Dinner following the meeting)
OFFICER TRAINING Location TBD
July 18 | 5 - 9:30 pm 15
R E T S A M T S A O T EXCURSIONS
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OUR CLUB N O N IO AT M R O F IN FOR MORE G EVENTS IN M O C P U F O K C A R AND TO KEEP T
S.ORG B U L C S R E T S A M T S A DOWNTOWNTM.TO
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CRAFTED IN BUFFALO, NY | SUMMER 2015
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