Our Immediate Past President and current Vice President of Education Sally was recently voted Division Director of the Year for District 56! This is a HUGE honor and might not have been possible if Sally hadn't decided to make the push to achieve the Distinguished Toastmaster educational award. We're very fortunate to count Sally among our leadership (and membership)! Her attitude toward service is both an asset and an inspiration to us all. Thank you and congratulations, Sally!
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend my first TLI -- Toastmasters Leadership Institute -- a three-hour workshop to orient chapter officers within their specific roles. The facilities at MD Anderson were spacious and comfortable, and I was grateful for the coffee and assortment of breakfast options that were provided by TLI. District 56 Director Kathy Kest provided a superb example of acknowledgement versus recognition during her opening statement, wherein she recognized two gentlemen who had gone above and beyond to help resolve an unanticipated issue with parking.
The TLI leadership team ran individual breakout sessions for each role, exemplifying servant leadership by generously sharing their expertise. They each helped attendees understand how we can help our chapters grow by fulfilling our individual officer roles. As the VP of Public Relations for Spirited Speech Masters, I attended the VPPR session lead by Rhonda Reeves, Director of Division M and the VPPR for Exxon-Mobile's Innovators chapter. She presented a clever acronym she uses to represent the aims of a VPPR:
The room of VPPRs was then divided into groups of four, and each group was charged with determining the How, When, Who, and What of our assigned aim. This style of self-generated content and learning was extremely effective, not only because it helped us to think through what we already knew (or could figure out together) but because we were getting to know one another better. I know I made a couple of connections I hope to have the opportunity to develop further.
Overall, I felt like I learned a lot, both about my role as VPPR and about Toastmasters in general (as a new-ish member, I was particularly grateful for the temporary embargo on Toastmasters acronyms). I would recommend TLI to any new officer, and hope to have the opportunity to attend the TLI in the Spring with even more of my fellow Spirited Speech Masters!
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Spirited Speech Masters is excited to invite you to attend an open house on Thursday, June 13th at 12 noon to 1 PM in 1MC16.3312 (one of the central conference rooms, badge access required).
Dawn will be delivering a speech entitled "The Kitchen Sink." Dawn enjoys backpacking over long distances and, through years of experience, has fine-tuned the contents of her backpack for the greatest efficiency and lowest weight. Come benefit from her extensive, field-tested knowledge and see the benefits that Toastmasters can offer!
Light refreshments will be served.
The event on May 2, 2019 honoring Shibu Varghese and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center was a resounding success with great turn-out and several inspired speeches. Thanks to all of those in attendance, including Dan Rex, CEO of Toastmasters International, and Sheryle Warren, District Director for District 56. Thank you also to members of the Destined for Excellence and Spirited Speech Masters who contributed to the event's success and smooth operation.
Congratulations again to Shibu Varghese, Senior VP of People and Business and Chief HR Officer to M.D. Anderson. Your continued support of the employee education and development provided by Toastmasters is greatly appreciated!
Here are a few of the photographs that were taken at the event:
Toastmasters International Chief Executive Officer Dan Rex will present the Toastmasters Corporate Award to Shibu Varghese, Senior Vice President of People and Business Operations and Chief HR Officer here at MD Anderson. We hope you will join us for this special occasion!
Light refreshments will be served.
Click here to RSVP!
