Jim Birnbaum Named
2008-2009 Toastmaster of the Year
At the District 83 Conference this past
Saturday, November 14, 2009, Immediate Past District Governor Paul Scharf,
DTM, named the District Toastmaster of the Year for 2008-2009. It is none
other than Hackettstown Toastmasters' own VP-Education, Jim "Cap'n Groggy"
Birnbaum!
Jim Birnbaum becomes the
D83 TotY 2008-2009 photo courtesy Robert Bugai
In announcing the award Paul noted that Jim, who was Area 23 Governor last
year, "Ran the Spring Conference like silk. He said 'yes' to become the Spring
Conference chair and Hail & Farewell registration chair in two seconds, and he
did a great job at both. He has never hesitated to help other Toastmasters."
Jim's Area was a President's Distinguished Area and he was instrumental in
chartering (and mentoring) our own Hackettstown Toastmasters club.
Being selected District Toastmaster of the Year out of over 3,000 members is
an incredible honor. When you see Jim, congratulate him on his award and
give him a hearty "Arrrrrrr!"
2009 International
Convention
Toastmasters International Convention was
held in Mahantucket, Connecticut August 12-15th and VP-Education Jim Birnbaum
and Sergeant-at-Arms Steve Lord were there! It was the first convention for
the Hackettstown homeboys so naturally they both attended the First Timers
session.
Hackettstown's SAA, Steve Lord, (left) and
VP-E, Jim Birnbaum, (right) display rapt attentiveness to International
President Jana Barnhill as she welcomes them to the 2009 International
Convention
Four long days later, the tired but happy twosome
drove home having seen a new World Champion of Public Speaking selected, a new
International President elected, half a dozen educational sessions and
speakers, and met fellow Toastmasters from all over the world!
Drat! Foiled Again!
The District 83 Traveling Gavel was wrested
from Hackettstown's control on Thursday, July 30th, a mere 16 days after its
capture from NYLIM Toastmasters. A nasty swarm of Toastmasters from Carpe Diem
Toastmasters in Parsippany assumed roles in the Hackettstown meeting Hackettstown's VP-E, Jim
Birnbaum, and President, Bill Watras (left) begrudgingly
"offer" the Traveling Gavel to Uday Bhoopalam, President,
Raju Nath, Secretary, Hualing Zhong, VP-M and VP-PR, and
Ibrahim Gulam, Sgt-at-Arms and Webmaster, all of Carpe Diem
Toastmasters
and, at its conclusion, glommed onto the gavel and
escaped into the night. The magnificent mallet had once again served its
purpose of bringing two District 83 clubs into contact and fostering (no
relation to Australia's lager) new friendships and new meeting ideas.
Gavel Goes Galloping
The District 83 Traveling Gavel may be 6
inches longer than it was just the other day. At the conclusion of the NYLIM
Toastmasters meeting on July 14th a kerfuffle broke out and the Meandering
Mallet was subjected to a tug-o-war. Stalwart NYLIM members refused to yield
and marauding Hackettstown Toastmasters became physical.
Hackettstown's VP-E, Jim Birnbaum,
and President, Bill Watras (left) dispute possession of the gavel with
NYLIM's President, Don Osmanski, and member John Peterson,
(right). Lois Steward, IPP Hackettstown and VP-E NYLIM is caught in the
middle
Tempers had flared earlier when Hackettstown VP-E Jim
Birnbaum, serving as Topicmaster of the NYLIM meeting, called NYLIM President
Don Osmanski a milksop for going 59 seconds on a Table Topic. Later,
Hackettstown President Bill Watras, serving as Ah-Counter, cited NYLIM member
John Peterson for 137 ahs and the benches cleared. Caught in the middle of the
Great Gavel Grab was Lois Steward, Immediate past President of the
Hackettstown club AND current VP-Education of the NYLIM club. In the melee
Steward was "hammered" senseless and trampled to death underfoot. NYLIM
Toastmasters is accepting applications for VP-Education.
We're Distinguished Just
2½ Months After Charter!
"...it is too much of a stretch for a new
club to make distinguished in its first year..." or so said Mary Neff, DTM,
LGET of District 46 when Hackettstown Toastmasters first announced its
intentions to be a Toastmasters Distinguished club in January, 2008. True
for others perhaps but Hackettstown had a long birthing period and exceptional
grit! Thanks to 5 educational awards and 4 new members since April 16th,
Hackettstown Toastmasters reached Distinguished status on June 29th, 2009 -
just in time! CLCC, CL, ACBCC The Distinguished Club Program
monitors and measures our club’s achievements in educational achievements
and membership. Hackettstown Toastmasters won't be resting. Plans are already
afoot to become a President's Distinguished club in 2009-2010!
Woo Hoo!! We're
Official!
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!
When do we
meet?
First, third & fifth
Thursday of every month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Guests always welcome - no
charge!
WHO KNEW? "The biggest surprise that I have
received as a member of Toastmasters is the friendships. I never expected that
by improving my communication skills I would meet life long friends. The
sharing of our lives, hopes, and dreams in 5-7 minute segments has created
bonds that last a lifetime and beyond."
- Chris Emond
What is
Toastmasters?
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.
