Toastmasters
Region Vii Conference - Thursday-Saturday, June 4-5-6, 2009
Crowne Plaza Moncton Downtown - 1005 Main Street, Moncton, NB, Canada
http://www.cpmoncton.com/
Greater Moncton is the geographical hub of the Canadian Maritime provinces. It offers a variety of attractions for visitors. The Tidal Bore demonstrates the wonder of natural science and Magnetic Hill the power of illusion. Don't forget to visit Crystal Palace, Magnetic Hill Zoo and Magic Mountain for family fun. If you head east from Moncton you'll soon find yourself in Alberty county, the home of the world famous Hopewell Rocks where you can see some of the highest tides in the world. Bring the family and enjoy our vibrant city with arts & entertainment, theatre, movies, shopping, dining and everything else that you'd expect for a getaway to the Maritimes.
I am packing up to fly out to the TM Region Vii Conference 2moro - Wednesday June 3rd until Sunday June 7th. I will be training for my new leadership position as the District 31 District Governor. I am excited to have finally made my way up the leadership chain to the highest ranking office in the district. More posts as things unfold at the conference!
And look who the Keynote is! YUP Darren LaCroix who was also District 31's Keynote this year!
Since I will be in training all day as the District 31 Governor - I will miss Darren's Keynote Address - but I bet it will be incredible!
Darren LaCroix, 2001 World Championof Public Speaking
Keynote Address http://www.r7tm.org/presenter_lacroix
2001 World Champion of Public SpeakingKeynote Speaker • Author • Speaker Coach
In 2001, Darren LaCroix, The World Champion of Public Speaking, outspoke 25,000 contestants from 14 countries to win that title. That was just a benchmark. Since that victory, Darren has traveled the world demystifying the process of creating a powerful speech. He has roused audiences in faraway places like Saudi Arabia, China, Oman, Malaysia, and Taiwan with his inspirational journey from first-rate chump to first-class champ, proving anything is possible if you are willing to work for it.
Darren may have been “born without a funny bone in my body,” but he possessed the desire to learn and the willingness to fail necessary to achieve his dream. The self-proclaimed “student of comedy” is living proof that humor is a skill that can be learned.
As a keynote speaker since 1994, he brings his incredible story to conferences around the world. He is consistently the top rated speaker at conferences. He changes the way people think about challenges, humor, and presentations … forever. His clients include IBM, Fidelity investments, and numerous associations too long to list!
He is known as the person who helps speakers launch their careers in professional speaking. His trademarked program Get Paid to Speak by Next Week® has helped many speakers launch their very first checks. He also supports speakers doing business coaching through his internet program: Get Paid to Speak TV.
Now Darren is in high demand as a speaker coach. The new standard for advanced presentation skills was created when he co-created How Professional Presenters Can Own the Stage. There is no other program on the market that even comes close to this transformational program. Viewers witness exactly how coaches can create lasting significant improvement in just two days.His successful book, Laugh & Get Rich: How to Profit from Humor in Any Business (6th printing), contains interviews with corporate executives who share his philosophy. Now translated into three languages, it is a mainstay on business bookshelves.
As co-founder of The Humor Institute and a co-creator of The Humor Boot Camp®, Darren directs seminars that help presenters wisely use the power of humor to “lighten up” their presentations. He is also an award-winning producer, his film Healing, Hope, and Humor.
Dr. Dilip Abayasekara - Past President of Toastmasters
Dilip Abayasekara, Ph.D., A.S. is a professional speaker, trainer, and speech coach.
In 2005-2006, he served as President of Toastmasters International, the world's leading volunteer organization that helps people improve their communication and leadership skills. He's twice been a finalist at Toastmasters International’s World Championship of Public Speaking, placing second in 1992. He is among a small number of Toastmasters who have received accreditation by Toastmasters International for professional level speaking skills and outstanding contributions in public speaking.
Dr. Abayasekara also serves as Special Assistant to the President of Central Pennsylvania College. He is also an adjunct faculty member of central Pennsylvania College in Oral Communications and is an adjunct faculty member of Eastern University's School of Professional Studies in the area of Managerial and Interpersonal Communications.
Numbered among Dilip's clients are the Pentagon, The Hershey Corporation, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Government of Sri Lanka- Rural Development Board and the Ministry of Plan Implementation, the United Nations Development Programme in Sri Lanka, Beneficial National Bank, PNC Bank, Household Financial Services, USA, Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union, Consulting Engineers Council of Delaware, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, Central Pennsylvania College, and Delaware Pharmaceutical Society.
He has had a host of private speech coaching clients that have included company presidents, business executives, university professors, scientists, engineers, physicians, elected city officials, members of the clergy, and speech contestants.
Closing Address http://www.r7tm.org/presenter_abayasekara
Kristin Nicholson 2nd Year Region Vii International Director/ConferenceChair
International Director, Region VIIKristin Nicholson, DTM, is an attorney with expertise in corporate contracting, international banking, intellectual property, human resources and risk management. She has also been a business owner and auditor for a CPA firm.
Nicholson, a member of the Maryland Advanced club in Chevy Chase, Maryland, says she has learned patience and perspective from other volunteer leaders in Toastmasters. “This has improved my career, my community activism and my personal relationships,” she says. A big believer in the High Performance Leadership program, Nicholson says she’s a better person because of the service, leadership experiences and friendships she has enjoyed in Toastmasters.
Nicholson lives in Rockville, Maryland, where she enjoys hobbies such as Sudoko, scuba diving and being a “team mom” for several youth sports teams.
Gary Schmidt Senior Vice-President, Toastmasters International
Senior Vice-President, Toastmasters InternationalGary Schmidt, DTM, works in the arena of politics and has served on staff for two United States Senators from Oregon – Mark Hatfield and Gordon Smith. Schmidt worked as a field office manager, speechwriter, constituent service coordinator and field representative. He owns a political and communications consulting firm, Schmidt and Associates.
The longtime Toastmaster is a member of the Clackamas Stepping Stones club in Clackamas, Oregon.
“My Toastmasters experience has transformed me into a better communicator, a stronger leader and a well-developed person,” Schmidt says. “It has taught me that the best way to build organizations is by building people: with confidence, leadership and self-worth.”
Schmidt, chose "Toastmasters: Confidence. Leadership. Service." as the theme for his 2009 - 2010 term in office, asks Toastmasters to take action on these concepts. As a result, he says, "You will improve your life, the lives of your fellow members, and the lives of all those in the world who are touched daily by the power of Toastmasters."
http://www.r7tm.org/
Today is my final day as the Lt. Governor of Education & Training and this weekend at the Hail & Farwell Back Yard B.B.Q. BASH - the outgoing District 31 Governor, Bash Turay, DTM, PID pinned me with the incoming District 31 Governor pin! I pinned my incoming Lts. Bil Lewis, DTM who will serve as the incoming LGET and Ben Lappen with the incoming LGM.
I also earned my SECOND DTM on the final day of the 2009-2010 Toastmasters Year - which runs from June 30, 2008 - July 1, 2010.
This really has been an amazing year! District 31 made the Educational Goals and will be award the 2008-2009 "Excellence in Education & Training" award at the HALL OF FAME during the 2009 Toastmasters International Convention!
