Hackettstown Toastmasters president Lois
Steward's bold proposal that the newly chartered club will become
Distinguished by June 30 was greeted with huzzahs from the membership. There
were shouts of assent and much pounding on tables. Three cheers erupted for
the club's ideals. Membership was reduced to tears. There were more huzzahs
and pandemonium ensued.
Toastmasters District 83 Governor Paul Scharf,
DTM displays Hackettstown's official charter as chapter President Lois
Steward looks on.
That may not be an exact account of what
actually ocurred but there was a lot of spirit in the room as District 83
Governor, Distinguished Toastmaster Paul Scharf presented Hackettstown
Toastmasters with its charter certificate from Toastmasters International.
Members were inspired by Bill Watras' tenth speech, completing the
requirements for his Competent Communicator award. They also heard new member
Dennis Quirk give his first speech in the program, the Icebreaker. They
were joined in their celebration by former District official Peggy Neubig,
DTM who generously donated a significant amount of Toastmasters program
material to the new club. There were participation and attendance awards and
pizza capped the event. Don't miss the next exciting event! Visit Hackettstown
Toastmasters next meeting!
4/16/09 - We Did
It!!!
At our April 2, 2009 meeting the last of our
needed 23 members were enrolled. As of April 16, 2009 Hackettstown
Toastmasters is chartered!
The hard work of many of our members was needed to pull this off
- and everyone stepped up! We're planning a celebration! District Governor
Paul Scharf will present us with our charter at our
May 7th meeting. It's never too late
to join in the fun - visit Hackettstown Toastmasters and give yourself the
gift of clear communication.
Toastmasters -
We're Not Just Talk!
On Thursday, December 18, members
of Hackettstown Toastmasters enjoyed their regular meeting plus a holiday
party. But instead of exchanging gifts, each member brought a toy to share
with the Hackettstown PBA's Toys for Tots
L to R: Lois Steward -
President; Steve Lord - VP Education; Jim Birnbaum -
Sergeant at Arms; Bill Watras - VP Membership
program. Sgt. Boer of the Hackettstown police met the
club officers plus member Virginia Mills in the parking lot of police
headquarters and "took custody" of the toys. "Toastmasters is not just a
place for learning communications skills but also for practicing leadership
skills," says Lois Steward, club President.
Hackettstown
Table Topics Contest Winners
Thursday, September 4 saw a new
experience for members of Hackettstown Toastmasters...a contest! Members
watched a video of the Fall, 2006 District 46 Table Topics contest and
tried their hands at judging, then compared their conclusions with the
actual results. Lesson? It's not easy being a judge!
L to R: 2nd place Newcomer -
Rich Schweighardt, 1st place Newcomer - Bill Watras, 2nd
place Experienced - Max Diego, 1st place Experienced - Joe
Mathesius photo: Paul Baker
Then the members participated in their own contest with fellow
Toastmasters from other clubs acting as judges. Not so easy under even
"simulated" pressure! But more "learning by doing"
as is the Toastmaster way! Congrats to all who
participated!
Hackettstown
Captures the Traveling Gavel!
On Tuesday, August 12, 2008, a night
that will live in infamy, 3 barbarians from upstart Hackettstown
Toastmasters, prospective club #1140672 in Warren County New Jersey,
assaulted the assembled members and guests of Brunswick Toastmasters of
North Brunswick and made off with the cherished, chiseled tchotchke that
is the District 83 Traveling Gavel. Phew! Try saying that five times
fast! You'll run out of saliva halfway through!
Sergeant-at-Arms Jim Birnbaum (who moonlights as Area 23 Governor),
VP-Membership Bill Watras, and VP-Education Steve Lord made the one hour
scenic drive down to North Brunswick from the boonies of Northwestern NJ
in order to be the first club to "capture" the illustrious icon of
Toastmasters Triumphant. In true Toastmasters fashion, the three
Hackettstownians were made welcome and served as Timer, a Speech
Evaluator and as a walk-on role in one of the speech presentations.
They watched jealously as the Brunswick club enrolled a guest as a
member on the spot (Hackettstown, an open club, needs 10 more members to
charter). During the final moments of the meeting they shared comments
on their learnings, on the best parts of the meeting and, naturally, on
opportunities to improve.
The victory celebration was short-lived! On Thursday, August 21, four
members of Tower & Bridge Toastmasters wrested control of the
meandering mallet from the tender embrace of Hackettstown. Alas! There
is weeping and gnashing of teeth in Hackettstown tonight!
When do we
meet?
First, third & fifth
Thursday of every month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Guests always welcome - no
charge!
Toastmasters is a convenient, cost
effective way to practice speaking in front of a group. You can move as
quickly or as slowly as you like. You work with manuals that give you
step by step pointers on organizing your speaking style, controlling
nervousness, and increasing the impact of your speech. You speak before
a supportive audience and receive immediate, constructive feedback.
Please join us for our next meeting - no cost, no reservation needed!
And no obligation to speak unless you'd like to do so!
The Benefits of
Toastmasters?
Toastmasters helps people with
their communication, speaking and listening skills in a mutually
supportive and positive learning environment. Not everyone is going to
be a company CEO or public orator, but we all communicate everyday in
our lives whether at work, with friends or family, strangers or
customers, as a coach for little league, or at a town meeting. We all
want to be understood when we state our ideas or personal beliefs.
Whatever the case, good communication and speaking skills will help
foster self-confidence and personal growth.
" I've always been a believer in
self-investment. Investing in "your own stock" is one of the best places to
put your money. The stock market may crash. The bottom may fall out from
under your real estate investments. You may discover that some scam artist
made off with your hard earned dollars.
But when you invest in yourself, the assets you buy are yours forever. The
skills you learn become an internalized part of you. As a corporate entity,
your worth increases...for the long haul.
In fact, I'd suggest that the value of your investment increases at a faster
rate during tough times. Your competitors are often investing their money in
big-screen TVs. And they're spending their time watching the latest reality
TV program. You, on the other hand, can be spending your time building a
better you." - John Kinde, author, speaker, humorist
Toastmasters International "Toastmasters" and the
Toastmasters International emblem are trademarks of Toastmasters
International. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
Sergeant-at-Arms Jim Birnbaum (who moonlights as Area 23 Governor),
VP-Membership Bill Watras, and VP-Education Steve Lord made the one hour
scenic drive down to North Brunswick from the boonies of Northwestern NJ
in order to be the first club to "capture" the illustrious icon of
Toastmasters Triumphant. In true Toastmasters fashion, the three
Hackettstownians were made welcome and served as Timer, a Speech
Evaluator and as a walk-on role in one of the speech presentations.
They watched jealously as the Brunswick club enrolled a guest as a
member on the spot (Hackettstown, an open club, needs 10 more members to
charter). During the final moments of the meeting they shared comments
on their learnings, on the best parts of the meeting and, naturally, on
opportunities to improve.
The victory celebration was short-lived! On Thursday, August 21, four
members of Tower & Bridge Toastmasters wrested control of the
meandering mallet from the tender embrace of Hackettstown. Alas! There
is weeping and gnashing of teeth in Hackettstown tonight!
