Speakers Bureau Spotlight: Colette Butler

by Ellen Little, Public Relations Officer

Colette Butler

Spring Conference - 2012, I was “involved” in the planning and the conference in ways that I had never been before. And then another wonderful thing happened. I got to meet one of our powerful Toastmasters that is a part of the speakers bureau. She was just as energetic as she could be; anxiously waiting for the time when she would be on stage to perform. I was getting energized just being around her.

I didn't get a chance to “know” Colette very well in the limited time that we had together, but her message was loud and clear. Her true gifts were evident. Her love, gift and passion is SPEAKING and assisting fellow human beings, from every advantage and disadvantage.

After finding out more about Colette, (I have to be honest, I stalked her a little ) her extensive background in the field of homelessness, poverty, recovery, community service, and social service has allowed her to speak on economic empowerment, and saving, employment, living within one's means, motivation, enlightenment, and other areas of enrichment to prosper in life. Her knowledge of public speaking, business organization, and collaborative ventures has allowed her to assist many in activating new avenues for their enrichment and betterment. What a wonderful role model for all Humans! Not to mention a role model in Toastmasters; giving back is truly one of the gifts we give and receive.

Thankfully, I was appointed as the Public Relations Officer for District 84. I felt like this was a divine intervention, in getting me closer and more involved with individuals like Colette. After seeing her perform in her first District Conference International Speech Contest, I knew this was someone that I needed to get to know better.

I was intrigued about her televised talk show that she co-hosts in Jacksonville, FL. She wrote in her bio “I was selected as a co-host because they liked my posture, verbiage, confidence, and vocal variety. These are things that Toastmaster taught and helped me with”. I thought well, gee, she must have been in Toastmasters forever in order to obtain those skills, practice and obviously “knock it out of the park”, so to speak. As I read further in our correspondence, she replied to my offer of help,”I'm enjoying being a part of a distinguished and motivating organization, and I've had a privilege and honor to represent Toastmaster. My 1st year has been a GREAT success”.

First Year??!!?? First Year… really? Here is someone that knows what she wants. She went on to explain her accomplishments in just her first year of Toastmasters, and how it has affected her life and her business. Colette had a plan! One encounter with Colette and you'll know what a great role model she is for Toastmasters and her communities alike.

My goal this year is to really showcase our great speakers and role models throughout our organization; to provide access for great individuals like Colette to receive the wonderful gifts that Toastmasters provides; and to let the world know what Toastmasters can do for individuals, corporations and communities. If you are interested in meeting Colette, she is right there in Jacksonville, and is on all the social media channels for you to explore. Of course, you can always find her and many others on the Speakers Bureau Page. In the months to come I hope to showcase all the powerful individuals on the speakers bureau; if nothing else you'll get to know some really awesome people!

Club Ambassador Program Chair Interviews George Casey Jr.

by Donna Lazarek, CAP Chair 2012-2013

George Casey, Jr. & Donna Lazarek

On Saturday, July 28, 2012, at one month into the 2012-2013 Toastmaster year I took a few moments to talk to Ambassador George Casey Jr., of CSX Toastmasters at Southpoint, Club #1910515, and Area Governor for Area 10, Division A. George Casey Jr. is the current leader in the rankings for Ambassador of the Year in the District 84 Club Ambassador Program (CAP).

CAP Chair: Why are you interested in the Club Ambassador Program?

GC: I'm interested in what it offers. I've had a chance to visit about 20 clubs now (give or take) over the last couple years. It's something I've grown to love. It's added to my Toastmasters experience … but more than that I see it as an opportunity. When I go to a club I'm always promoting it. This is why I'm here, I'm here for the ambassador program. I'm amazed by the people who don't know about the ambassador program. I think it has really given our club the opportunity to grow…

CAP Chair: You've visited 5 clubs so far this year do you have any goals beyond just the Ambassador designation?

GC: In Jacksonville we have about 38-40 clubs. My initial goal is to go out and visit all the clubs in the Jacksonville area but beyond that I want to go out and visit some clubs in Orlando and the Gainesville area and possibly as far as Tallahassee and Miami. I'm looking forward to the challenge…

CAP Chair: What kind of benefits did you bring back to your club?

GC: A better understanding of what Toastmasters has to offer for one. It gave us a chance to get out of our club setting. …We get comfortable in our home setting. As our speeches go they're only going to be developed as much as the most developed member in that group but when you get outside of that group you get a whole array of speakers and talent levels that you can compete on.

…We were able to steal some ideas from other innovative clubs and bring those innovative ideas back to our club and it makes it more exciting because once you get into that mundane routine it gets boring, so it keeps it exciting.

CAP Chair: What is the funniest thing you've seen at another club?

GC: I can't recall anything funny but more fun. One of the membership drives I saw at one of the clubs was during football season and they incorporated that into the contest. You bring in one member to your club you get a point for that and your goal is to score as many points within the football theme.

CAP Chair: There is a new award this year in the Club Ambassador Program called the Embassy Award. The Embassy Awards are given to the club and area with the most ambassadors. Do you think your club is a contender to win that?

GC: Absolutely! I have a club in mind that is going to win it but beyond that I believe Area 10 is going to win it.

CAP Chair: You're saying Area 10 is going to win the Area Embassy award?

GC: Absolutely, that's my prediction.

Thank you Ambassador George Casey Jr. for taking the time to speak with me. It was a pleasure meeting with you and I wish you success in the Club Ambassador Program.

Club Ambassador's Torch

by Susan Shulz, ACS

Table Topics Torch

Werner Schulz joined Toastmasters in August of 2011, one month before his 83rd Birthday. He accompanied his wife Susan to Toastmasters meetings for over 16 years in NY and Florida. One evening while visiting the Advanced Toastmasters Club in Brevard County, he was asked to participate in table topics. DTM Pim Love asked Werner “Why haven't you ever joined Toastmasters?”. Werner's response indicated that no one ever asked him to join. Pim quickly provided him an application for membership before the end of that evenings meeting.

As Werner was not eligible to join the Advanced Communicators Club, Susan promptly signed him up to join Toast-Stars club 9269 when she began the new Membership year as VPM.

Werner continued to visit clubs in Division B and qualified as a Club Ambassador within weeks of becoming a Toastmaster.

Werner enjoys using his creativity for table topics. When visiting the Advanced Communicator club with his wife Susan the immediate past president, Werner volunteered to be the Table Topic master for the July meeting. Werner chose to capitalize on the Olympics theme, so he created an Olympic Torch using paper “flames” for the table topics participants to select their table topic. The first speaker Pim Love was asked to carry the torch in Melbourne, Florida and tell about the frog jumping contest at the Olympics.

Pim's response included reflections of a Toastmasters Club in Fellsmere, recalling the Frogs Leg Festival held each year in that town. Lot's of laughter followed as Pim continued her response. The next participant was a guest, who had never been to a Toastmasters meeting before. His topic was to share his thoughts about the Olympic event of turtle races. The guest provided lessons learned from the fable of the tortoise and the hare, that slow and steady wins the race. The guest did a superb job with table topics and was invited to visit several other local Toastmasters Clubs Division B to select a club to join.

Werner also treated his home club of Toast-Stars with a round of table topics using the Olympics Torch the following week including topics of Elephant duet figure skating competitions and Kangaroo tennis matches. These topics offered the participants an opportunity for some creative and humorous responses. Werner reminded everyone that Table Topics can be a wonderful way to exercise your quick thinking and creative imagination and have fun!