Speech Contests, Division G Style

by Greg Wise, DTM, Division G Governor

Well.... Bet you you thought I was going to start with something like... Arrrrrrr we having fun yet? Well... we had fun today and what a "G"REAT day we had.


It all started as contestants and Toastmasters in general, entered the room with Palm trees lining the corners of the room and Steel Drum music and Island visuals displayed on the screen. People were already talking about the fun they were going to have at this event. After all... Division G... Brings "G"REATNESS.

Our Evaluation Test Speaker... Beverly Wise did an awesome job of giving our contestants something to work with. Wait... Did that sound bad. She was very good. Then the Evaluators were presented the awards by Mary Carol Holbert (left) and Beverly Wise (Right)... Fred Weldon from Ocala Noon took home the top prize... Roz Miller from Gainesville gave an excellent evaluation as well. We missed Erika Meinholz also from Gainesville for this photo.

The Humorous Speech contest went awesome. Some Great Contestants. It gave a real challenge to the Judges... (whoever they were). The Winner and ready to represent Division G in the District Conference coming up... was Greg Smith (Gainesville - left) and Second Place was Montel Walker (Traveres - right).
Also competing and did a great job... Ann Weldon from Ocala and Claudia Virga from Leesbug.

But then it happened... Some one turned over the Island Spirit and well... You never know what is going to happen with these Division G folks. Can't wait to see the Hospitality Suite when Division G shows up!

Awesome job today everyone... Ready for the Fall Conference November 1-2...
then start focusing everyone on the International Speech Contest in the Spring.

How Toastmasters helped Paul Noor Realize His Dreams

by Paul Peterzell, ACB

He came to this country without speaking English and having a major speech impediment, stuttering. The odds were stacked against him to realize his dreams.  But, failure was not an option for Paul Noor;  Toastmasters helped him realize his dreams and overcome his obstacles.

Paul Noor

Paul’s book, “Please Marry My Wife,” (self published) details his upbringing in Iran and battling with stuttering beginning at age 3. In high school Paul could barely speak a sentence without stuttering.  A strong work ethic and desire to overcome his obstacles catapulted Paul to a journey in which he grew a successful construction business. Toastmasters played a crucial role in helping Paul practice his speaking skills and develop confidence. His new communication skills allowed his income to grow 50% after being in Toastmasters two years. “People around me noticed changes in my speaking and commented on how much I improved,” he explained.

He approached the idea of joining Toastmasters with some trepidation, visiting his first club five times. “Every time I sat by the exit door; I just wanted to make sure that if it got scary, I could run out,” Noor explains in the book.  His first club in California took him under their wing and provided the feedback to help him get better. ‘In the first year, I even won the speech contest at our club.” Paul states. He went on to join four clubs, including an advanced club.

When the building industry collapsed, Paul had a dream to become a professional speaker.  With the confidence and skills gained from Toastmasters, Paul now speaks to audiences of 1,000 or more, including business owners, Fortune 500 Companies, Rotary Clubs, schools, colleges, prisons and churches.

Paul was told that there was no cure for his level of stuttering, yet he became a professional speaker.  Toastmasters surely helped Paul shape his success, overcome stuttering and realize his dreams.  “When you stand up in front of people and speak eloquently, people will respect you. They will listen to you.  They will love to do business with you and follow you as a leader. And that is priceless!!!”

Always Progressing: Toastmasters and St. Martin/Sint Maartin

by Cindy Abeel, CL Public Relations Officer

Rodney Gray and George Kostopolous

The deep reverberating blasts of twin conch shells, blown by Area Governors
Rodney Gray and George Kostopolous, signaled the beginning of the SS Division D Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest on October 6, 2013. Departing from the port of St. Martin/Sint Maartin, the French/Dutch “Friendly Island”, the Captain (Division D Governor) Gene Kowalski and Visiting Admiral (District 84 Governor) Dee Melvin, kept the ship steady as she goes.

Following an inspiring test speech by Jerome Kalisz, six Evaluation contestants provided clear, concise, and insightful comments. The six Humorous Speech contestants provided laughter all the way from chuckles and snickers to belly laughs.

One contestant commented “This was my first speech contest entered and I had a great time competing. I work in sales management, marketing, and business development and joining Toastmasters has been one of the best professional and personal decisions I have ever made. The ability to tell a compelling story, be it truthful or creatively through parody, is one of the most powerful tools you can use to influence thoughts and effect change."

Close to 100 people strolled the Lido deck at the Deltona Regional Library, enjoying Caribbean-based cuisine and decorations. Contests, like ships, require many hands to run smoothly. Thanks and kudos go to Cruise Buffet Hostesses Gail Hill Smith and Vickiey Colzie, First Officer (Chief Judge) Michele Mingoia, Cruise Director (Contest Master) Christine Langley, who kept the pace brisk, provided an audience participation quiz about the Caribbean and fun facts about our island, and Navigator (Contest Chair) Gina Tyckoson whose weeks of preparation and planning ensured smooth sailing and calm seas. Special thanks goes to Admiral Melvin, who congratulated and presented trophies to the winners.

All Toastmasters, out front and behind the scenes, who participated to make the contest a success, surely embody the motto on the island flag: Semper Pro Grediens, which means “Always Progressing”.

The Person We Become

by Walter Marria, Jr., Division H Governor

Mary Carol Holbert, Debra Osborne, Walter Marria

“Together we aspire. Together we achieve” was the sound echoing throughout the Division H Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest. The contest was held October 5, 2013 in Tallahassee. In attendance were District 84 Lt. Governor of Education & Training DTM Mary Carol Holbert and District 84 Fall Conference Chair DTM Sheila Williams. The theme was Trinidad and Tobago and the atmosphere was all Caribbean.

The winners of the Evaluation Contest were:
1st  Place Debra Osborne
2nd Place Don Thompson
3rd Place Louis Sloan

Mary Carol Holbert, Louis Sloan, Walter Marria

Humorous Speech Contest Winners were:
1st Place Louis Sloan
2nd Place Beth McGrotha
3rd Place Dennis Scarry

First place winners Debra Osborne and Louis Sloan will represent Division H at the District 84 Fall Conference Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest. Speech contests are not all about taking home a trophy. The greatest prize any contestant or attendee can take away from a contest is the person they become through the process of competing or to be inspired by the contestants. Earl Nightingale said, “We all walk in the dark and each of us must learn to turn on his or her own light.” For some of us, our light is turned on when we are competing or when we are attendees at a speech contest. Toastmasters helps us turn on our light or uses us to turn on someone else’s light.

Daytona Beach Toastmasters Celebrate 35th Anniversary

by Cindy Abeel, Public Relations Officer

Daytona Beach Toastmasters

Chartered on August 1, 1978, Daytona Beach Toastmasters is 35 years strong, a certain testimony to teamwork. Club members, along with Toastmasters from other Daytona clubs and beyond, and guests, mingled, celebrated, and exchanged stories on Saturday evening, October 5th. Everyone enjoyed hor d’oeuvres and a special anniversary cake. It was fitting that they celebrated in the sports bar section of Vince Carter’s, an upscale restaurant in Daytona Beach, because doesn’t sports epitomize teamwork?
Club President Diane Kelso explains “We have a diverse group.

Many of our members have decades of knowledge and experience while others are just starting out in life. We are all here to learn and to pass on what we’ve learned to our newest members. My life has been impacted greatly in a very special way by the friends I have made while belonging to the Toastmasters club. Our best meetings include lots of laughter! ”
Area Governor Christine Langley surprised the club with a signed proclamation by the County Council of Volusia County, Florida, declaring October, 2013 as Daytona Beach Toastmasters Month.