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A Witching Hour – Toastmasters Online Open House

Come to the Spirited Speech Masters Online Open House on October 29th to learn how Toastmasters can help you develop public speaking and leadership skills!

Join us online at noon on Thursday, October 29th.

The event is open to all MD Anderson employees and will feature an attention-getting speech by a practiced storyteller and a Table Topics session where we practice impromptu speaking skills.

We'd love to see you at this special fall open house. Come meet our members and get a feel for the value of Toastmasters!

We hope you'll join us on future Thursdays as well. Guests are always welcome. We continue to meet weekly at noon using Jitsi Meet. Click here to learn more!

Virtual Leadership Institute Saturday

Officer and non-officer members are invited to attend the first Leadership Institute of the season via Zoom this Saturday. For those who have not attended a TLI in the past, they are training sessions for those who find themselves in a leadership role ... or for those who might be thinking about volunteering or getting more involved in future. Certain portions of the meeting are conducted with all persons in one place, while each leadership role (VPPR, VPM, Treasurer, etc.) will have a breakout session facilitated by a Toastmaster member with considerable experience in that role.

Here is a video from Lola Pratt -- 2015 Division Director for District 57, Division D -- helping to explain the value of TLI:

One of the requirements for Presidents Distinguished is a minimum level of attendance by a program's leadership within a six-month period. This is a fantastic opportunity to attend a TLI that doesn't require you to drive across town (although the free coffee and donuts will certainly be missed).

You can register here for this event.

2020-2021 Leadership Opportunities

Did you know there is a project in Pathways for taking an officer’s role?  This project is in Level 5 and expects that you have worked through most of your other levels.  However, the requirement is to be an officer in Toastmasters (or another volunteer organization) for at least 6 months.  Toastmasters allows us to look ahead.  Those in leadership might want to look at this project now and understand the requirements to work towards in the coming months.

Those of you just getting started have a wonderful opportunity to work towards this goal.  We will be having officer elections in early May – now is your opportunity!

Officer Nominations/Election

Nominations are now open for all positions, including a new (not for credit) role of Associate VPE. 

  • You may nominate yourself or someone else, though they will have to agree to the nomination.
  • You may continue in an existing role (except for President) if you wish.

We will elect from President to Sergeant-at-Arms, so if you run for a role and do not win, you may run for another office with a floor nomination.

If there are multiple candidates for a role, each candidate may present a 2-minute speech on their qualifications, or why they wish to have that role.

To be on the ballot, please send your nomination to Sally by 4pm, May 6th.  Elections will be held on May 14th.

What is Involved?

Officers manage and direct the functioning of the program and are known collectively as the Executive Committee.  This committee meets at the president’s discretion – usually monthly, though perhaps more often early in the Toastmasters year. 

Expectations for all officers include:

  • Attend the regular Executive Committee meetings
  • Attend two training sessions: one in July-Aug and another in Jan-Feb
  • Fulfill the requirements of their office, or find someone to fill-in in their absence

For more information on Officer Roles, see the Club Leadership Handbook.

Dawn and Sally Take 1st Place at Area

Dawn and Sally competed at the Area Q54 speech contests this weekend, each winning first place in her contest type! Dawn won first place in the International Speech Contest with her heart-warming speech entitled "Pop," while Sally placed first by spinning a yarn entitled "Go Texan Day" in the Tall Tales Speech Contest. Each will now go on to compete at Division Q in April. Congratulations to both members!

Sally and Dawn

The Moth Houston StorySLAM: Challenge


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Tuesday March 10, 2020 5:00 PM
Due to the incidents of Coronavirus in the Houston area, this event has been canceled. You can email info@themoth.org or call 212-742-0551 to request a refund.

If you love Table Topics or spectating it, come join your fellow Spirited Speech Masters for this special storytelling event on a Tuesday night!

Join us for dinner beforehand at Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet at 5:00 PM (8236 Kirby Dr.) or just come for the show.

Houston Public Media Presents
THE MOTH HOUSTON STORYSLAM: CHALLENGE
TUESDAY MARCH 10, 2020

DOORS: 6:30 PM
SHOW: 7:30 PM
TICKETS: $15 GA SEATING, FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. (purchase tickets)
The Ballroom at Warehouse Live
813 Saint Emmanuel Street
Houston, Texas 77003

CHALLENGE: Prepare a five-minute story about a feat that tested your mettle, sanity or patience. Triumph or defeat. Inch-by-inch success or major overhaul. Defeating the cocky know-it-all or walking past the spider web without freaking out. Throwdowns, duels, unbearable ultimatums. Bring us your tales of defying the odds, confronting that fear, or with any luck, rising to the occasion.

Tickets for this event go on sale Tuesday, March 3rd. Any questions, contact Sara Gilheart. Hope to see you there and watch you onstage!

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