Thursday, December 17, 2009 was Jim Birnbaum's last meeting as a member of Hackettstown Toastmasters. Jim is retiring from Mars and will be moving. He and his (in)famous alter ego "Cap'n Groggy" wil be missed!
Toastmasters & Toys
for Tots - Perfect Together
Charlie Brown's restaurant in Hackettstown
might seem an unusual place for a Toastmasters meeting. But that's exactly
where we gathered for our December 3rd meeting.
Jim Birnbaum, VP-Education,
Bill Watras, President, Joe Mathesius, Treasurer, and Julia
Bird, VP-Membership pose with the toys ready for the Toys for Tots drive.
(photo courtesy John Luszcz)
Prepared speeches, impromptu speaking, and feedback were the normal order of
business. The background noise was a challenge for our quieter speakers but
one they may someday need to face. While the theme of the meeting was
"BRRRRRRR!!", there were warm friendships and hot topics of discussion.
Consider giving yourself or someone you love the gift of building
self-confidence this Holiday. Toastmasters is all about human transformation.
Come see what it's all about. A full year of Toastmasters is only $98. The
speaking improvements, self-confidence, and friendships last a lifetime.
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!
If you missed the
Fall Conference, maybe it was because you couldn't find the
"Registeration" table? Well, probably not! Events were well organized and
easy to find. It was like an early Thanksgiving to see
Maybe we kant spel gud but we shur kan
speak!
the District 83 Toastmasters "family" gathered around
the table. In our case, a big, BIG, B-I-G table! Every Toastmaster should
attend a District Conference at least once - how can you know what you're
missing until you try? C'mon! Give it a try! Spring Conference is on May
15th & 16th. Send in your "registeration" form now! Click Here for Form
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.
When do we
meet?
First, third & fifth
Thursday of every month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Guests always welcome - no
charge!
Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010 Click here for a sample
AGENDA Dress is
casual.
Contact Info
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- VP Membership (908) 887-3140 Or contact any club
officer HERE
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.
