Orlando Toastmasters Club 28
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THE PHOENIX Club28

Toastmasters International




 THE OLDEST CLUB EAST OF THE ROCKIES

 The Historic Record of Orlando Toastmasters Club #28

January - June 2010 Edition, Produced by the office of the VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC RELATIONS, Mark Gumula II. EDITOR: Kenneth H. Walley, ACG, CL; PUBLISHER and ORLANDO TOASTMASTERS CLUB #28 PRESIDENT: Wilner Luders CC.

 


 

CLUB HISTORY & UPCOMING EVENTS (To the right of your screen)

PAST ARTICLES:

CLUB #28 WINS 8TH PRESIDENT'S DISTINGUISHED AWARD! By Kenneth H. Walley (June 2010)

WHY JOIN TOASTMASTERS? (And how can this help me in the "real world?")

By Kenneth H. Walley (May 2010)

KEEP YOUR PROMISES! (Adapted from the Toastmasters Competent Leadership Manual) By Kenneth H. Walley (April 2010)

CLUB #28 NEWS: INTERNATIONAL SPEECH AND AND TABLE TOPICS CONTESTS ARE A GREAT SUCCESS...also...MOCK SMPS/UCF TOASTMASTERS MEETING HOSTED BY CLUB #28...and...DUE ARE DUE! By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (March 2010)

A PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE By Deepti Dhiman, CC, CL (February 2010)

2010 WILL BE THE BEST YEAR EVER FOR ORLANDO TOASTMASTERS CLUB #28... ABSOLUTELY AND NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (January 2010)

REMEMBERING DENNIS GOLA By Kenneth H. Walley (December 2009)

MAKE A NEW MEMBER FEEL WELCOME! By Kenneth H. Walley (November 2009)

CLUB #28 IS ON THE MOVE By Kenneth H. Walley (October 2009)

SEPTEMBER NEWS By Kenneth H. Walley (September 2009)

 WHAT'S GOING ON?!!! By Kenneth H. Walley (August 2009)

CLUB #28 IN 7TH HEAVEN!!! By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (July 2009)

CONFESSIONS OF A TOASTMASTER an Interview by Alison Briggs of Jason Davis, ACB (June 2009)

  • PAST OFFICERS AND CONTEST WINNERS

  • PRESIDENT'S DISTINGUISHED CLUB RECORDS, 1999 to Present 

  •  

    CLUB #28 WINS 8TH PRESIDENT'S DISTINGUISHED AWARD!

    By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (June 2010 edition)

    ORLANDO Toastmasters Club #28 has reached it's "Great Eight" President's Distinguished Award! This is an amazing accomplishment as it is the 8th time in ten year that Club #28 has received Toastmaster's highest club honor. To achieve this award it takes the efforts of the entire club. Congratulations to all of our Club #28 members for they are well deserving of this award due to the hard work and perseverance that goes into capturing such a club honor.

    From the year 1999 to 2005, Orlando Club #28 won six consecutive President's Distinguished Awards. After 2005, Club #28 had to over come some tough challenges, but they were able to return back to the top of the Toastmasters world during the 2008-2009 term. Throughout all of this time the aim of the club has been to produce quality meetings and the creation of a super-supportive environment for its members, giving them the very best chance to succeed with the Toastmaster's program.

    HERE IS HOW Club #28 won it's "Great #8 for the Great Twenty-Eight!":

    Between July 2009 and the end of June 2010, earning competent Communicators Awards were William Watson, Deepti Dhiman, Ed Dimayuga and Ruble Nedumkunnel. A fifth CC award was earned by Wilner Luders in May. Earning their Competent Leader Awards were Ed Dimayuga and Deepti Dhiman. The club also had officer's trained at the Toastmaster's Leadership Institute, sent in the pre-caps dues on time to Toastmasters International and added an incredible 20 new members. The club also selected its officers and sent in its officer lists as required. During the January officer training, all six officers attended the leadership Institute!

    Ken Blake earned his Advanced Communicator Gold award last October to give us another goal and Toastmaster Tai Johnson, raised our official club membership over the 20 member mark to qualify for the club for the award. This club now stands at 22 members... and growing.

    JOINING THE PRESIDENT'S HONOR ROLL Still, it took a good deal of effort by club Presidents Ed Dimayuga CC, CL (July -December 2009) and Deepti Dhiman (January-June 2009) to achieve this award. Ed had to take over the President's role only a month into the new term when he was the club's Vice president of education! He served in both roles for the remainder of the term. Deepti led the club through a change in location, its success in the International Speech and Table Topics Contests, and a membership resurgence. Ed and Deepti now join a growing list of Distinguished Club #28 Presidents:

    Ralph Cowell ACB and Dorothy Day (Otis) Fogel DTM (1999-2000); Helen Joseph DTM and Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (2000-2001); Michael Joseph, DTM and Adam Scoggins CC, CL (2001-2002); Adam Scoggins CC, CL and Deborah Ryan ACG, CL (2002-2003); Deborah Ryan ACG, CL and Diana Walley ACG, CL (2003-2004); Ed Carmona ACB, CL and Dr. Ross Thomson ACB, CL (2004-2005); Dennis Gola ACG, CL and Barbara Cusack CC, CL; (2008-2009); Edward Dimayuga CC, CL and Deepti Dhiman CC, CL (2009-2010).

    Also... the news just keeps getting better for Orlando Toastmasters Club #28! The new officers for the Club were selected as President Wilner Luders, CC; Vice President of Education Ken Walley ACG, CL; Vice President of Membership Carolyn Stapleton, Vice President of Public Relations Mark Gumula II, Secretary Malita Clarke; Treasurer Barbara Cusack CC, CL and Sgt. at Arms Monica Walley! This is a strong and capable group of new officers! Already an number of members are marching towards their Competent Communicator Awards and Competent leader Awards. Ken Walley ACG, CL is poised to earn his DTM  and Ruble Nedumkunnel is about to earn his Advanced Communicator Bronze... Indeed, the club has a very good start on its 9th President's Distinguished Award!

    It will be the "Sublime #9!"

    WHY JOIN TOASTMASTERS? (And how can this help me in the "real world?")

    By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (May 2010 edition)

    "Yesterday I was a witness to an accident and I got interviewed for the 6:00 News!"

    "My boss wants ME to make the big presentation!"

    "She told me to come to the front of the class to answer that question in Chapter 2!"

    "Mr. Williams has your work application and he is ready to see you now."

    "Right out of the blue, the commissioner asked my opinion of the new sales tax!"

    It is only a matter of time before the spotlight will find you. Almost everyday a situation arrives where communication skills are not only handy, but necessary. In today's world it is important to be able to communicate effectively and be ready when opportunity presents itself for success.

    In Club #28 we call those occasions "Toastmaster opportunities." It is at these times where Toastmasters members actually look forward to showcasing our skills and living up to our highest potential!

    Toastmasters is the perfect place to learn the skills of communication. Here is a positive, open and friendly atmosphere where you are encouraged to go beyond what you ever thought possible. While you earn awards (and applause) you also follow a "tried & true" program that has helped millions of people all over the world. There is NO failure here. Your audience is there to help you improve your speaking skills. Better yet, they have already been where you are now. Everyone started out nervous, unsure of themselves and battling a stomach full of butterflies.

    We'll make those butterflies fly in formation!

    Toastmasters is more than just learning about vocal inflection, eye contact, gestures and the nuts and bolts of good speaking skills, it is about gaining self-confidence, self-esteem and making the most of your natural abilities. It is about learning to think quickly on your feet and giving constructive evaluations. It is also about mentoring others, it is about organizational skills. It is about leadership. It is about achieving goals and improving your life and the lives of those around you.

    Toastmasters does require effort, even work, but the payoff is well worth it. You progress at your own pace and you can see your own progress as you reach each goal. You also see your progress in the workplace, in social situations and even in expressing yourself to those who are closest to you.

    Did I mention that Toastmasters is fun? You will meet new friends and improve social skills as well. The Toastmasters experience will benefit almost every aspect of your life and there is something here for almost everyone! This is one program that you can take to the "real world" and put to good use!

    See what we are all about. We meet at the Herndon Branch Library off Colonial Drive (about a quarter mile past the Fashion Square Mall going east) at 7:00pm every Thursday night.

    I'll see you there!

    KEEP YOUR PROMISES!

    (Adapted from the Toastmasters Competent Leadership Manual: A Personal Guide to Becoming a Better Leader. [Copyright, Toastmasters International, 2005]) By Kenneth H. Walley, ACG, CL (April 2010 edition)

    Being a Toastmaster means more than simply making a commitment to self-development. Everyone who joins a Toastmasters club is making a commitment to the club, to its members and to the organization as a whole. Here, listed below is the official "A TOASTMASTERS PROMISE"

    "A TOASTMASTER'S PROMISE"

    1. To attend meetings regularly.

    2. To prepare all of my speeches and leadership assignments to the best of my ability, basing them on projects in the Competent Communication manual, the Advanced Communication manuals or the Competent Leadership manuals.

    3. To prepare for and fulfill all meeting assignments.

    4. To provide fellow members with helpful, constructive evaluations.

    5. To help the club maintain the positive, friendly, environment necessary for all member to learn and grow.

    6. To serve my club as an officer when called upon to do so.

    7. To treat my fellow club members with respect and courtesy.

    8. To bring guests to club meeting so that they can see the benefits Toastmasters membership offers.

    9. To adhere to the guidelines and rules for all Toastmasters educational and recognition programs.

    10. To maintain honest and highly ethical standards during the conduct of all Toastmasters activities.

    We are proud to be Toastmasters of Orlando Toastmasters Club 328 and we welcome all to join us every Thursday night at 7:00pm at the Herndon Branch Library on Colonial Drive. We will always welcome guests and we are open to the public. Come see what a great Toastmasters Club is all about.

    OTHER NEWS: Congratulations to Barbara Cusack CC, CL who won the Area 32 International Speech contest! Ken Walley ACG, CL came in second place in both the International Speech Contest and the Table Topics Contest. Also a winner of the Area 33 International Speech Contest and Table Topics Contest was our own Ken Blake, ACG, CL, who was representing the Let's Talk Toastmasters Club #4413!

    They will be competing at the Division 'C' Contest on April 25th 2010 at the Mayflower Retirement Resort in Winter Park, Fl. (1620 Mayflower Court, Winter Park, Fl. 32792) which starts at 3:00pm. Come cheer on our winners and hear some fantastic speeches!

    Club #28 added four new members in two weeks! Welcome Dana Davis, Mark Gumula II, Ebony Langston and Jose E. Lopez! Also joining our club as a dual member is Carolyn Stapleton! Fantastic! A hearty welcome to all of our new members!

     

    CLUB #28 NEWS: INTERNATIONAL SPEECH AND TABLE TOPICS CONTESTS A GREAT SUCCESS...also...MOCK SMP/UCF TOASTMASTERS MEETING HOSTED BY CLUB #28...and...DUES ARE DUE!

    By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (March 2010 edition)

    The International Speech and Table Topics Contests were held on two separate dates because of the large group of Toastmasters willing to take part in the contests! The Table Topics Contest was held on March 4th and featured Club #28 contestants Ken Blake ACG, CL; John Hines, Wilner Luders, Jamie Waters, CC; Monica Walley, Christopher Berns and Ken Walley ACG, CL. The question of them by Contest Master Deborah Ryan, ACG, CL was "What is your biggest regret?" Many regrets were mentioned including a past marriage, joining the Navy and not going to Toastmasters earlier in life, but the winning answer was by Ken Walley ACG, CL. Ken spoke about not applying himself to his studies when in college. "There was too much partying, booze and women... but I don't regret the women all that much." said Ken. Coming in 2nd Place was Wilner Luders who spoke about not spending more time with his Grandmother while he had the chance.

    The International Contest was held on March 11th and was also hosted by Deborah Ryan, ACG, CL. The 2010 Club #28 contest featured some of the strongest orators in the club's history with a great mix of newer and more experienced presenters. Ken Walley ACG, CL; Ken Blake ACG, CL; Barbara Cusack, CC, CL were all past contest winners who competed against club President Deepti Dhiman, CC, CL and Vice President of Education John Hines. John spoke first and gave the crowd a powerful speech that impressed everyone which was titled "Defiance Street". He spoke of his daughter overcoming a severe illness which inspired him to be able to make important changes in his life. Deepti Dhiman, CC, CL spoke next with a captivating speech about the culture differences between the United States and her native India called "Culture Shock". Speaking third was Barbara Cusack, CC, CL who gave another of her highly motivating speeches titled "The Echo" which featured the story of a boy and his father who learned a life lesson from an echo. Looking into a crystal ball,  Ken Walley ACG, CL  gave a speech about two very different paths that the world might follow. His speech was titled "Our Future". Speaking last, Ken Blake, ACG, CL also delivered one of the best speeches in memory with a speech about an Olympic Gold medal winner who brought a car to him to repair and ended up inspiring him to face his challenges. These truly were five of the best speeches ever highlighted by an Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 International Speech Contest! All of the speakers are to be highly commended for their brilliant presentations. Ken Walley ACG, CL took the first place trophy and Barbara Cusack, CC, CL was the runner up.

    Many local Toastmaster dignitaries attended our contest including Area 34 Governor Luvenia Hart, ACS, The District 84 Lt. Governor of Education Scott Hoehn, DTM; The President of the Castaways Toastmasters Club #618581, Nancy Humberton, CC, CL; Past District Governor and Club #28 President Helen Joseph, DTM; The Vice President of Education for the "Let's Talk" Toastmasters Club #4413 Linda Ramey, ACB and the "Let's Talk" Club #4413 President and a member of Club #28 Jamie Waters, CC. Along with a number of visitors and returning past members, the contests were very well attended again this year!

    Congratulations to our winners! They will be competing at the Area 32 Contest on March 15th at the Crown Plaza Hotel at 304 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando at 6:30pm.

    On February 9th 2010 Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 and the Castaways Toastmasters Club #618581 co-sponsored a "Mock Toastmasters meeting at the University of Central Florida for the Society for Professional Services (SMPS) at the request of Club #28 member Justin Gay. The meeting was another great accomplishment for both Toastmasters and SMPS at UCF. With Ken Walley ACG, CL acting as the Toastmaster, the students were introduced to all of the essential elements of a Toastmasters meeting including Table Topics with the Castaways Club President Nancy Humberton, CC, CL as the Table Topics Master, prepared speeches (including one by Justin Gay) and evaluations. Past Club #28 President Barbara Cusack, CC, CL helped train the SMPS members in how to do the functionary positions and the District #84 Lt. Governor of Education Scott Hoehn, DTM was on hand to give an introduction to the meeting. Many of the students showed an immense interest in Toastmasters after the meeting! It was great to have a part in building Toastmasters International's future!

    Reminder: This is the time of year to pay dues! For the incredible low price of only $37.00 twice a year, you get so much from being a part of Toastmasters. We are hoping to have our best year ever since 2010, so do not forget to see the club treasurer Ken Walley ACG, CL and get those dues paid early!

    A PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

    By Deepti Dhiman, CC, CL (February 2010 edition)

    I never believed that I could stand in front of a group of people and give a memorable speech. Toastmasters gave me that opportunity to enhance my communication and leadership skills. Like singing and dancing, public speaking is also a skill. To horn any skill, what is need is "practice, practice, practice..." It is well said that "Practice makes a man perfect"; therefore, the more you practice any skill, the better you become at it. Toastmasters International provides you with a platform to practice public speaking. Every speech given in Toastmasters is followed by a constructive evaluation that helps a speaker to improve.

    I joined Toastmasters International two years ago and I have seen my confidence grow from a caterpillar to a butterfly! I have never attended any meeting at my club where I have not learned something new. Now, here I am serving as the President of Club #28. I really feel honored and privileged to be able to serve the Club. As a President, I am responsible to lead the club and promote excellence. In cooperation with the other officers, i have established long-term and short-term goals for the Club. Here are some of the things i would like to accomplish:

    1. Achieve the President's Distinguished Club Award. our club has won six consecutive President's Distinguished Club Awards from 1999 to 2006. In 2009 we won the 7th President's Distinguished Award! Achieving a top club goal such as this is not an easy accomplishment as it take the efforts of the entire club to achieve the award. My goal is to continue working towards that goal for this year.

    2. Ensure the Club has an ongoing Membership-building program. Members are the pillars of a club.

    3. Add creativity to our meetings such as reverse and theme meetings. Changes will give challenges to our toastmasters.

    I am confident in achieving my goal as I have a great team of officers to help me. With that, I would like to thank all of my club members who gave me this opportunity to serve as President of Club #28. I wish a happy New Year to all. Good Luck!

    Sincerely, Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 President Deepti Dhiman.

    2010 WILL BE THE BEST YEAR EVER FOR ORLANDO TOASTMASTERS CLUB #28... ABSOLUTELY AND NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!

    By Kenneth H. Walley, ACG, CL (January 2010 Edition)

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Wow! Another year has past and the new year has already started. Last year, in this same place, I remember saying something along the lines of : "2009 will be a Great Year for our country and Club #28!" Well, maybe 2009 wasn't exactly the best year for our county (it could have been a whole lot worse and things are improving by the day...) but Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 did indeed have a Great Year!

    We gained a whole lot of fantastic new members, we found a wonderful new home at the Herndon Library Branch and we also had some of our best meetings in the history of the club. We also achieved the highest award that Toastmasters International can bestow upon a club: The President's Distinguished Award!

    Really it is hard to imagine a better year for a Toastmasters club. Unless, of course, you are a member of Orlando Toastmasters Club #28! Imagination is in no small supply in this club!

    First of all we are entering into the new year with a truly dynamic and inspiring leadership team. Deepti Dhiman, CC is our new President and she has some great ideas for improving the club as well as enough enthusiasm to bring out the very best in our membership. John Hines has stepped up to be our Vice President of Education and if there is anyone who can motivate a club to succeed, it's John!

    Other new toastmasters took on the responsibility of Leadership: Secretary Christopher Berns, Vice President of Public Relations Ruble Nedumkunnel and Vice President of Membership Wilner Luders. Club #28 also has some experienced Toastmasters returning as officers. Past Presidents Ken Walley ACG, CL as the club Treasurer and Barbara Cusack, CC, CL as the club Sgt. at Arms as well as our Immediate Past President Ed Dimayuga, CC, CL. It is hard to imagine a better team to guide this club through the next six months.

    Club #28 is quickly closing in on yet another President Distinguished Award! This would be the club's 8th in ten years! Only a few more goals stand in the way of the club's success.

    Each meeting seems to get better than the last meeting and this club has found a whole new universe of talent. As the International Speech and Table Topics contests appear on the club's horizon, many new Club #28 members appear ready to make a spectacular splash on the Central Florida contest scene. Of course many of its established members have already made a name for themselves in the club, area and division contests. This could be the year that Club #28 sends another one of it's members to the World's International Speech competition! We just might have another James Webb just waiting to shine!

    Most encouraging of all is the incredible improvement of our members. Those who came in as shy and worried about their communication skills, now astound their bosses and impress their fellow employees with newfound abilities. others are taking advantage of opportunities they might have passed up only a short time ago... thanks to the Toastmasters program! Our members are reaching their goals and accomplishing their dreams. That is what Toastmasters is all about.

    That is why Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 will absolutely and positively, and without any fear of contradiction... have 28's best year EVER in 2010!

    No doubt about it.

    REMEMBERING DENNIS GOLA

    By Kenneth H. Walley, ACG, CL (December 2009 Edition)

    There are times when it is hard for even a Toastmaster to find the right words. This is one of those times. On November 25, 2009 all Toastmasters in the Central Florida area lost a truly wonderful speaker, supporter and friend.

    I am deeply saddened to report that Dennis Gola passed away from complications following open heart surgery. He was 56.

    Dennis was a fixture in the local Toastmasters scene for the past decade as a member of Orlando Toastmasters Club #28, Orange County Club #129 and the Let's Talk Club #4413. He served as the President of Club #28 and #129 and was the winner of numerous contests while achieving his Advanced Toastmasters Gold and Competent Leader Awards. He was the ultimate example of a dedicated Toastmaster.

    Much more than these accomplishments however, Dennis will be remembered as a man who was always willing to take time out of his own schedule to help others, give advice to anyone who asked, fight a battle to right a wrong or help out in any way that he could. That was Dennis. If you were short on ideas, Dennis was the person to turn to. He would always come up with a solution even if he had to research it on his own! Dennis had a great sense of humor and the ability to put others at ease. Dennis often put his own problems, no matter how over-whelming, to the side to see if he could help make the lives of others a little better. If there was a better example of a great friend, I cannot think of one.

    Dennis had a life that was full of adventure and meaning. For those who were blessed to be a part of Orlando Toastmasters Club #28, you got to hear him tell about his life as it provided the material for a seemingly endless number of great speeches.

    Dennis grew up in Florida. He was a professional Baseball Umpire; worked in radio and was a long time vacation cruise salesman among many other varied careers. He was a Buddhist who also had a life-long interest in world news and politics. Indeed, even to the very end of his life, Dennis was dedicated to learning and expanding his knowledge. I also believe he enjoyed being a thorn in the side of the Lynx Bus Company.

    May God Bless you and may you Rest in Peace,

    Dennis Gola

     (September 27, 1953 - November 25, 2009)

    [Editor Note: This article was accompanied by notes and thoughts from Ed Carmona, Kenneth M. Blake, Laurie Heiniz, Dr. Ross Thomson, Helen Joseph, Jose Lopez, Ed Dimayuga, Barbara Cusack, Bob Blaydes, Paul Meunier, Diana Walley, Jim Stitt, Eddie Selover, Tseganish Gudeta and Diana Estremera.]

     

    MAKE A NEW MEMBER FEEL WELCOME!

    By Kenneth H. Walley (November 2009 Edition)

    We have been blessed. Club #28 has been adding new members at a record rate, even after we moved to our new location at the Herndon Branch Library! Almost every week we seem to add a new member or two. There are many reasons this is happening. People are discovering that not only is toastmasters a wonderful educational opportunity to learn communication skills, but it is also a lot of fun. When people come to our meeting and see what we are doing, they end up wanting to join our club! At Club #28 our meetings are our best advertisement! I hope that we can keep adding new members because we have a lot more room to grow!

    With this blessing comes a responsibility that must be shared by every member of the club. Simply put: "Make every guest feel welcome and make every new member feel wanted!" If you are an established member of #28, here is an opportunity to put your knowledge to work. Many new members and visitors have a lot of questions and we can help them by simply saying:

    "Welcome I'm _______. I have been in this club for a while and I'll be glad to answer any questions that you might have!"

    It's a perfect way to break the ice and make a friend in the process.

    Of course our  President and VP of Education, Ed Dimayuga and our VP of Membership Deepti Dhiman are there to help guide our new members but with all of the new members we have, they are going to need help from the rest of the club as well. This is a "problem" that any Toastmasters club would love to have!

    Our club puts a giant emphasis on our Mentoring Program because we feel that all newcomers to our club should never have to feel like they are alone, or "left to fend for themselves". Therefore it is important that if you are assigned a "mentee"; that you take your mentoring duties seriously. The great thing about being a mentor is that nor only is the new member learning from you, but you can learn a lot from being a mentor. It's a win-win situation.

    I remember how I felt when i first joined Toastmasters. It was a wonderful feeling of being accepted into a great group of people. Because the more established members took good care of me when I first started, I myself learned how i was expected to treat new members. Now, one of the biggest rewards that I can gain form Toastmasters is watching another member achieve his or her goal because I was there to help them at the start. It's a great feeling! Helping others always is. By helping out our visitors and making new members feel welcome is a great reflection on not only our club, but on ourselves as individuals as well!

    WELCOME to Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 Wilner Luders, Ruble Nedumkunnel, Christopher Berns, Sue Park and John Hines!!

    Also Club #28 has even more to celebrate as Deepti Dhiman earned her Competent Communicator Award at the October 29th 2009 meeting. Read more about it in the "Awards Abound!" article. Just click on the Club Articles section above. Congratulations Deepti!

     

    CLUB #28 IS ON THE MOVE

    By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (October 2009 Edition )

    Good News / Bad News...

    The Bad News first: Due to changes in the Orange County Library System operating hours, Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 will be unable to continue meeting at the Orlando Downtown Library, where it has been meeting for over a decade. The downtown library changed its closing time from 9:00pm to the new closing time of 8:00pm in order to cut cost during a time of financial cutbacks. Because our meetings last from 7:00pm until 8:30pm the Club #28 Board of Officers elected to move to a location where we could keep the same hours and avoid losing any of the high quality of our meetings because of the shorter meeting time available.

    The Good News...

    We found a really great place to meet! The Herndon Library Branch meeting room is a beautiful, spacious and well managed meeting area with free parking and with all of the materials that we need to continue having the excellent meetings that Club #28 has grow accustomed to! The Herndon Library Branch is located at 4324 E. Colonial Drive only a few blocks east from the Orlando Fashion Square Mall, less than ten minutes from the Downtown Library. The club is excited about our new location, having had some very successful meetings at the Herndon Branch in the past. The Herndon Branch Library was our backup meeting place when the meeting rooms were unavailable at the downtown library.

    Because there is only one room at the Herndon Library as opposed to four meeting rooms at the main downtown library, if the room is not available on our regular Thursday night, we will meet on Wednesday night instead for that week. This situation came up for the second week in October so the club will be meeting on Wednesday October 14th, instead of our regular Thursday night. We will be informing our members and friends by both this website and by e-mail on any occasion we have to switch days.

    Club #28 is turning an adventurous new page in our long and glorious history. We have met at many places before, from different restaurants, to the local YMCA and even once the club met at a bowling alley! Our time at the Orlando Public Library included eight President's Distinguished Awards, many contest winners, including one that went to the International Speech competition and many more Toastmasters who found a place for fellowship and a safe haven to grow and learn. It is my hope that the "Herndon Era" will leaven an ever greater legacy.

    Other news: At the joint Area 32 and Area 33 Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests that were held on September 24th at the Florida Hospital, Congratulations go out to Club member Barbara Cusack, CC, CL who came in 2nd place at the Area 32 Humorous Speech Contest! Our Club #28 contest winner, Jamie Waters, ACB was competing in the Area 33 Contest and came in 1st place representing the Let's Talk Toastmasters Club #4416. Also representing that same club was Ken Blake, ACG, CL who also took first place in the Evaluations Contest. Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 members Ed Dimayuga and Monica Walley represented our club extremely well in the Area 32 Evaluations Contest. You can cheer on on Barbara, Ken and Jamie at the October 11th Division 'C' Contests to be held at the Mayflower Retirement Resort in Winter Park from 2:30pm to 4:30pm.

    I'll see you there!

    SEPTEMBER NEWS

     By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (September 2009 Edition)

    The month of September started out with a fantastic Humorous Speech and an awesome Evaluation Contest! Hosting the evening as the Contest Master was Ken Walley ACG, CL and he introduced some truly excellent speakers throughout the evening. Barbara Cusack, CC, CL; Jason Davis, ACB; Ken Blake, ACG, CL and Jamie Waters ACB all gave hilarious speeches in the Humorous Speech Contest. The Evaluation Contest featured Ken Blake, ACG, CL; Edward Dimayuga, Dennis Gola ACG, CL and Monica Walley. Every evaluator gave insightful advice and strong encouragement. The room was packed with club members, guests and dignitaries.... we even had to bring in extra chairs to get everyone seated! Congratulations to Jamie and Jason who finished 1st and 2nd in the Speech Contest and to Dennis and Ed who took the top two spots in the Evaluation Contest! They will be going to the Area 32 Contests later in the month. See the article "Club #28 Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests Another Giant Success!!"

    Speaking of the Area 32 Contest... It will be held at the Florida Hospital Ginsberg Tower at 601 East Rollins Street in Orlando. The date and time is Thursday evening, September 24th 2009 from 6:30 to 9:00pm. Because the Area 32 Contest is being held on the same night that Club #28 has it's regular meeting, we will not be meeting at the library that night but instead will meet at the Area 32 Contest so we can cheer on our winners! This is a great way to hear excellent speakers from all over Central Florida as well as enjoy some very funny stories. it should be a great night for everyone!

    Dues are due and our Treasurer Ken Walley ACG, CL will be collecting them during the month of September. We have to have all of the dues collected by the end of the month and sent out to Toastmasters International! Please pay promptly as for such a small amount you get so much from Toastmasters! Make checks out to "Orlando Toastmasters Club #28" or you can Ken directly in cash. Our Membership goal for the 2009 Toastmaster term is 35 members.. let's see if we can even beat that!.

    Our president Jose Lopez, CC is taking a short Leave of Absence from the club and should return to us at the end of the month. Until then, the club will be in the capable hands of Vice President of Education Ed Dimayuga.

    Congratulations to William Watson, CC who accomplished his 10th speech and earned his Competent Communicator Award! Also nearing that goal are Michael Machata, Deepti Dhiman and Ed Dimayuga. September and October look to be a couple of months where Club #28 has a lot of honors coming it's way!

    The battle to get the library to reconsider it's recent policy on closing the building earlier at 8:00 pm instead of the 9:00pm closing time, goes on. How you can help is to write Dennis Gola ACG, CL at Cruiseguy075@aol.com for more information. There is also a County Commissioner's meeting on September 15th where we can make our voice heard.

    That's what is going on for now but all kinds of wonderful things are always happening at Club #28...

    I'll see everyone Thursday night at 7:00 pm. !

    WHAT'S GOING ON?!!!

    By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (August 2009 Edition)

     For most Toastmasters clubs the month of July is a "down" month because many members are out of town on vacation or have added office responsibilities that often require changes in schedules for the summer... and Toastmaster club meeting attendance is often "less than ideal". Club #28 however had excellent attendance throughout the month of July and was able to produce some of our best meetings ever! Here is a brief recap of some of our July meetings:

    The July 9rh meeting featured Dennis Gola ACG, CL as the Toastmaster with the theme of "DO YOU THINK YOU KNOW JULY?' By the time that we left that meeting we knew more about the month of July than we ever had thought possible! Also at that meeting Michael Machata gave a wonderful speech on how to plan for retirement and the Rev. William Watson uplifted us with a speech about how the small changes that people make in their life are often the most rewarding ones. 

    Monica Walley led the July 16th meeting and picked the fascinating theme of "SHARKS!" She told us many interesting facts about on one of the most misunderstood creatures of the deep. Still... a few of us might be a little more wary of going back into the water. This meeting featured two great speeches: Jason Davis, ACB gave a performance from a Neil Simon play where he took on the role of both characters playing a daughter who had locked herself in a bathroom on her wedding day and her father who was attempting to talk her out of her suddenly cold feet. The second speech was by Steve Wood who explained what happened in the "Big Bang" explosion at the start of the universe in a speech titled "Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation".

    The July 23rd meeting was toastmastered by Ken Walley ACG, CL with the theme of 'BABY BOOMERS, GENERATION X AND MILLENIALS'. The entire meeting was both a look backwards and a look forward for the three generations who have already made lasting accomplishments in history and have still yet to finish shaping the future for generations to come. Dennis Gola ACG, CL gave a speech about how to save a home from foreclosure in these tough economic times. Deepti Dhiman gave a stunning speech on the beautiful Indian clothing from her homeland. She showed us remarkably beautiful Saris, Salwar Kameez and Lehnga among other traditional wear from India. Toastmaster Rajiv Bhatia gave a speech on the median income trends in America and what the average family can expect in the future.

    All of these meetings were interesting, fun, educational and well prepared! With great meetings like these, it is of little wonder why Club #28's attendance is still high?! I really hate to miss a single meeting myself.

    OTHER NOTES: Did you know that there is a program in which you, and your club can receive credit for visiting other Toastmaster clubs? The District 84 Club Ambassador Program encourages toastmasters to go beyond the club and see what other clubs are doing. Even better, it encourages members to bring back successful ideas that they learn to their own club! You also get to meet toastmasters from all over the district and earn awards that go towards achieving communication and leadership goals. It's fun and it is a great way to make new toastmaster friends and learn from other clubs as well! For more information on the District 84 Club Ambassador Program, visit the web site at www.toatmastersd84.org ...and... hit the road!

    We are delighted to learn that long time friend of Club #28 and member of our sister club Orange County Toastmasters Club #129 Luvenia Hart, ACS, CL is our new Area 32 Governor! Gov. Hart has attended many of our contests in the past and has served as our Chief Judge on occasion as well. She will be visiting our club again soon and we look forward to welcoming her back! Congratulations Luvenia!

    The date for the Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 Humorous Speech and Evaluations Contests is tentatively set for September 3rd, 2009... Vice President of Education Ed Dimayuga will be releasing more information as well as a sign up sheet for the different positions, hopefully by the first week of August.

    That's what's going on for now, but all kinds of wonderful things are always happening at Club #28....

    CLUB #28 IN 7TH HEAVEN!!!

    By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (July 2009 Edition)

    Orlando Toastmaster Club #28 reached the highest level that a Toastmasters Club can claim by earning it's 7th President Distinguished Award! Achieving a top club goal such as this is not an easy accomplishment and it took the efforts of the entire club to return Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 back to the top of the Toastmasters world. Congratulations are in order for all of our Club #28 members. They are well deserved for the incredible hard work that goes into winning an award such as this.

    From the years 1999 to 2005 Orlando Club #28 won six consecutive President's Distinguished Awards. After 2005, Club #28 had to overcome some tough challenges but they never once took their aims away from producing quality meetings and the creation of a super-supportive environment for its members. At last, those efforts paid off.

    Here is how it was accomplished:

    Earning Competent Communicator Awards were Paul Hagge, Barbara Cusack, Jose Lopez and Susan Deichen! Earning their Competent Leader Awards were Barbara Cusack and Dr. Michael Deichen. The club also had its officers trained at the Toastmaster leadership Institute, sent in the per-cap dues on time to Toastmasters International, added a club record 25 new members who joined over the past year and elected its officers and sent in its officer lists on time.

    On the last Saturday in June, Dennis Gola achieved his Advanced Communicator Gold Award which gave the club its 9th goal. Whew! That is a whole lot of great success for one year!

    Still, it took a good deal of effort  by club Presidents Dennis Gola ACG, CL (July- December 2008) and Barbara Cusack, CC, CL (January- June 2009) to bring this award back to the club. Dennis and Barbara now join Ralph Cowell, ACB, CL; Dorothy Day (Otis) Fogel, DTM; Helen Joseph, DTM; Ken Walley ACG, CL; Michael Joseph, DTM; Adam Scoggins, CC; Deborah Ryan, ACG, CL; Diana Walley, ACG, CL; Ed Carmona, ACB, CL and Dr. Ross Thomson ACB, CL as Club #28's Distinguished Presidents.

    Also...

    The news just keeps getting better for Orlando Toastmasters Club #28! New President Jose Lopez, CC is in a great position to catapult the club towards its 8th President's Distinguished Award. Deepti Dhiman, Ed Dimayuga, Michael Vance, Monica Walley, William Watson and Michael Machata are all within a few speeches of earning their CC awards! Many of them should also earn CL awards as well. Jason Davis is close to his Advanced Communicator Silver Award and Ken Blake is also ready to claim is AC Gold award as well! 

    Orlando Toastmasters might be in "7th Heaven" right now but "The Great #8 for 28" is on the way! 

    CONFESSIONS OF A TOASTMASTER: Jason Davis Opens Up About His Fears and What He Did To Overcome Them (As well as his dreams for the future!)

    An Interview by Alison Briggs of Jason Davis, ACB (June 2009 Edition)

    [Editor's Note: Jason Davis ACB, Joined Club #28 only four short months ago but he has already made a large and positive impact upon Club #28. He has recently put together our 1st E-mail Club #28 Newsletter that went out on June 1st, as well as taking over as Club #28's Sgt. at Arms officer position for the upcoming July through December 2009 term. This Article is reprinted from the TOASTMASTERS CLUB 28 NEWSLETTER. -khw]

    WHY DID YOU JOIN TOASTMASTERS?

    I had a stuttering problem and a fear of public speaking. I spoke far to fast and people could not understand me.

    HOW DID YOUR FIRST SPEECH GO?

    My first speech was terrible! I had butterflies in my stomach, my hands were shaking, my heart was beating 100 beats per minute... I used note cards and I was scared to look at the audience. But I came back and gave my 2nd...4th... and 8th speeches. [and many more!]

    HOW HAS YOUR PUBLIC SPEAKING IMPROVED?

    I have given 28 speeches in the last four months! I don't get nervous anymore and the butterflies are gone. I am more confident and I look forward to speaking in front of an audience of people!

    WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE A FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING?

    I would teel them to join Toastmasters! This is a great environment where everybody wants you to be great!! The only way to get over your fear is to keep doing it over and over again.

    WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS IN TOASTMASTERS?

    I want to serve as President in Toastmasters Club #28 and I would like to become world champion of speaking in Toastmasters within the next 5 years!

     

    PAST OFFICERS & CONTEST WINNERS

     

    July - December 2010 President: Wilner Luders; VPE: Ken Walley; VPM: Carolyn Stapleton; VPPR: Mark Gumula II; Secretary: Maltia Clarke; Treasurer: Barbara Cusack; Sgt. at Arms: Monica Walley. Humorous Speech & Eval. Contest: Contest Master:;Chief Judge:;  1st Pl. Hum. Sp.: ;2nd Pl. Hum. Sp.:; 1st Pl. Eval.: ;  2nd Pl. Eval.:.

    January- June 2010 President: Deepti Dhiman*; VPE: John Hines; VPM: Wilner Luders; VPPR: Ruble Nedumkunnel; Secretary: Christopher Berns; Treasurer: Ken Walley; SAA: Barbara Cusack. International Speech & T.T. Contest: Contest Master: Deborah Ryan; Chief Judge: Helen Joseph (TT) & Scott Hoehn (Intl.); 1st Pl. Intl. Sp.:Ken Walley; 2nd Pl. Intl. Sp.: Barbara Cusack; 1st Pl. T.T.:Ken Walley; 2nd Pl. T.T.: Wilner Luders.

    July- December 2009 President: Jose Lopez /Ed Dimayuga*; VPE; Ed Dimayuga/ Ken Walley; VPM: Deepti Dhiman; Secretary: Amber Gudenkauft / Michael Machata; Treasurer: Ken Walley; SAA: Jason Davis/ Steve Wood. Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contests: Contest Master: Ken Walley ; Chief Judge: Linda Ramey / Helen Joseph; 1st Pl. Hum. Sp.: Jamie Waters; 2nd Pl. Hum. Sp.: Jason Davis; 1st Pl. Eval.: Dennis Gola ; 2nd Pl. Eval.: Ed Dimayuga. (Jose Lopez served one month of term)

    January-June 2009 President: Barbara Cusack*; VPE: Deepti Dhiman; VPM: Ed Dimayuga; VPPR: Ebony Langston (Jason Davis); Secretary: Monica Walley; Treasurer: Jose Lopez; SAA: A. Michael Machata. International Speech & T.T. Contest: Contest Master: Barbara Cusack Chief Judge: Gloria Esteban; 1st Pl Speech: Jose Lopez; 2nd Pl. Speech: Deepti Dhiman. 1st Pl. T.T.: Ken Blake; 2nd Pl. T.T.:Dennis Gola. 

    July-Dec. 2008 President Dennis Gola*; VPE: Mike Deichen (Ken Walley) ; VPM : Barbara Cusack; VPPR: Paul Hagge (Stephen Bentley); Secretary: Susan Deichen; Treasurer: Ken Walley; SAA: Jose Lopez. Humorous Speech & Eval. Contests: Contest Master: Bob Blaydes ; Chief Judge: Helen Joseph ; 1st Pl. Hum. Speech: Barbara Cusack ; 2nd Pl. Hum. Speech: Ken Walley ; 1st Pl. Eval.: Dennis Gola ; 2nd Pl. Eval.: Ken Walley. 

    January-June 2008 President: Ken Walley; VPE: Susan Deichen; VPM: Mike Deichen; VPPR: Dennis Gola; Secretary: Barbara Cusack; Treasurer: Joe Cannazzaro; SAA: Ben Jackson. International Speech & T.T. Contest: Contest Master: Ken Walley; Chief Judge: Roxie Steadman 1st Pl. Speech: Bob Blaydes; 2nd Pl. Speech: Ken Blake; 1st Pl. T.T.: Dennis Gola; 2nd Pl. T.T.: Ken Blake.

    July-Dec. 2007 President: Dennis Gola; VPE: Cathy Goonen/ Ken Walley; VPM: Ken Blake; VPPR: Sarah Stack; Secretary: Eddie Selover; Treasurer: Bob Blaydes; SAA: Ken Walley. Humorous Speech & Eval. Contest: Contest Master: Sarah Stack ; Chief Judge: Luvina Hart; 1st Pl. Hum. Speech: Ken Blake 2nd Pl. Hum. Speech Eddie Selover; 1st Pl. Eval.: Dennis Gola; 2nd Pl. Eval.: Ken Blake.

    January-June 2007 President: Angela Abreu; VPE: Andrea McManus; VPM: Ken Blake; VPPR: Sarah Stack; Sec.: Ken Walley; Treasurer: Bob Blaydes; SAA: Scott Waechter. International Speech & T.T. Contest: Contest Master: Ken Walley Chief Judge: Diana Estremera 1st Pl. Speech: Scott Waechter; 2nd Pl. Speech: Ken Blake; 1st Pl. TT: Venkey Allenky:; 2nd Pl. TT: Andrea McManus;

    July-Dec. 2006  President: Ken Walley; VPE: Angela Abreu; VPM: Ken Blake VPPR: Darryl Stephens; Sec.: Bruce Wigel; Treasurer: Brian Lewis; SAA: Andrea McManus Humorous Speech & Eval. Contest: Contest Master: Warren Lakhan Chief Judge: Roxie Steadman 1st Pl. Hum. Speech: Ken Walley 2nd Pl. Hum. Speech: Brian Lewis 1st Pl. Eval.: Ken Walley 2nd Pl. Eval.: Andrea McManus.

    Jan.-June 2006 President: Laurie Heinitz; VPE: Ken Walley; VPM: Dr. Ross Thomson; VPPR: Ed Carmona; Sec.: Mark Cox/ Ed Morris; Treasurer: Ed Morris; SAA: Angela Abreu. International Speech & T.T. Contest: Contest Master: Ken Walley Chief Judge: Lani Wynne-Hampton 1st Pl. Speech: Brian Wheeler 2nd Pl. Speech: Ed Morris 1st.Pl. T.T.: Dennis Gola 2nd Pl. T.T.: Russell Russ.

    July-Dec. 2005 President: Barbara Lott; VPE: Laurie Heinitz; VPM: Joe Bowie Jr,; VPPR: Ken Walley; Sec.: Mark Cox; Treasurer: Dr. Ross Thomson; SAA: J.P. Grace. Humorous Speech & Eval. Contest: Contest Master: Laurie Heinitz Chief Judge: Delsa Deihl-Banks 1st Pl. Hum. Speech: Ed Carmona 2nd Pl. Hum Speech: Ross Thomson 1st Pl. Eval.: Ken Walley 2ns Pl. Eval.: Barbara Lott.

    January-June, 2005 President: Ed Carmona*; VPE: Russell Russ; VPM: Joe Bowie, Jr.; VPPR: Barbara Lott; Sec.: Laurie Heinitz; Treasurer: Dr. Ross Thomson; SAA: Mark Cox. International Speech & T.T. Contest Master: Ed Carmona, Chief Judge: Helen Joseph,  1st Pl. Speech: Ken Walley, 2nd Pl. Speech: Phil Sumanpow, T.T. 1st Pl.:Ken Walley,  T.T. 2nd Pl.:Steve Litt.

    July-Dec. 2004President: Dr. Ross Thomson*; VPE: Edward Carmona; VPM: Dr. Paul Layman / Joe Bowie, Jr.; VPPR: Diana J. Walley; Secretary: Laurie Heinitz; Treasurer: Barbara Lott SAA: John Walker/Ken Walley. Humorous Speech & Eval. Contest: Contest Master: Dr. Ross Thomson. Chief Judge: Brenda DeArmond. 1st Pl. Hum. Speech: Ed Carmona. 2nd Pl. Hum. Speech: Joe Bowie Jr.  1st Pl. Eval.: Barbara Lott. 2nd Pl. Eval: Steve Litt.

    Jan.-June 2004  President: Adam Scoggins*; VPE: Tony Betts; VPM: Brian Wheeler; VPPR: Diana Walley; Secretary: Ed Carmona; Treasuer: Dr. Ross Thomson; SAA: Chris Moore / (Assistant: Ken Walley); International Speech & T.T. Contest Master: Diana Walley  Chief Judge: Ann Kelly 1st Place Speech: James Webb. 2nd Place Speech: Joe Bowie Jr. 1st Place T.T.: Dennis Gola. 2nd Place T.T.: Sam Ryan.

    July-Dec. 2003: President: Adam Scoggins* VPE: James Webb / Tony Betts VPM: Brian Wheeler VPPR: Ken Walley / Diana Walley Secretary: Tseganesh Gudeta Treasurer: Debbe Ryan SAA: Mark Cox Humorous Speech & Eval. Contest Master: Ken Walley; Chief Judge: Jeanine Stroud ; 1st Place Speech: Tony Betts 2nd Place Speech: Joe Bowie Jr. 1st Place Eval.: Dennis Gola 2nd Place Eval.: Steve Litt

    Jan-June 2003: President: Diana Walley*; VPE: Adam Scoggins; VPM: Brian Wheeler; VPPR: Ken Walley; Secretary: Tseganesh Gudeta; Treasurer: Debbe Ryan; SAA: Mike Hare; Editor: Ken Walley. International Speech & T.T. Contest  Master: Debbe Ryan; Chief Judge: Richard Gump; 1st Place Speech: Ken Walley, 2nd Place Speech: Adam Scoggins, 1st Place T.T.: Ken Walley, 2nd Place T.T: Dennis Gola. 

    July-Dec. 2002: President: Deborah Ryan*; VPE: Diana J. Walley; VPM & VPPR: Kenneth H. Walley; Secretary: Tseganesh Gudeta; Treasurer: Robert Murphy ( Assistant: Paul Hagge); SAA:  Tony Betts Editor: Ken Walley. Humorous Sp. & Eval. Contest Master: Diana Walley; Chief Judge: Ed Goddard; 1st Place Speech: Ken Blake; 2nd Place Speech Ken Walley; 1st Place Eval. Ken Walley; 2nd Place Eval. Debbe Ryan.

    Jan- June 2002: President: Deborah Ryan*; VPE: Kenneth H. Walley; VPM: Michael Joseph; VPPR: Diana J. Walley; Sec.: Tseganesh Gudeta; Trea: Helen Joseph; SAA: Robert Murphy; Editor: Diana Walley. International Sp & TT Contest Master: Ken Blake; Chief Judge: Carree Jewell; 1st Place Sp.: Robert Murphy; 2nd Place Speech: Ken Walley; 1st TT: Dennis Gola; 2nd TT: Ken Walley.

    July-Dec. 2001: Pres: Michael Joseph*; VPE: Doug Baggett (Ken Walley); VPM: Dennis Gola (Helen Joseph); VPPR: Ralph Cowell; Sec: Ken Walley; Trea: Helen Joseph; SAA: Dennis Rookwood (Diana Eve Rosenberg); Editor/Web: Diana Walley. Hum Sp. & Eval. Contest Master: Gabrielle "Gabi" Mercier; Chief Judge: Alie Weber; 1st Pl. Sp: Ralph Cowell; 2nd Pl Sp: Diana Eve Rosenberg. Eval. 1st : Ken Walley; Eval. 2nd: Deborah Ryan.

    Jan-June 2001: Pres: Ken Walley*; VPE: Michael Joseph; VPM: Ralph Cowell; VPPR: Nancy Cowell; Sec. & Trea.: Helen Joseph; SAA: Robin Knight; Ed: Diana Walley. Int. & TT. Contest Master: Kenneth H. Walley; Chief Judge: Anne Marie Burns; 1st Pl. Sp.: Ralph Cowell; 2nd Pl. Sp: Ken Blake; 1st TT: Michael Joseph; 2nd TT: Dennis Gola.

    June-Dec. 2000: Pres: Helen Joseph*; VPE: Ken Walley; VPM: Michael Joseph; VPPR: Nancy Cowell; Sec. & Trea.: Linda Buttery; SAA: Dwayne Black (Ken Walley). Hum. Sp & Eval. Contest Master: Ralph Cowell or Michael Joseph; Chief Judge:Gabi Mercier; 1st Pl Sp.: Ken Walley, 2nd Pl. Sp.: Ken Blake; Eval 1st Pl. : Michael Joseph; Eval. 2nd Pl.: Ken Walley.

    Jan.-July 2000: Pres. Dorothy Day Otis* / Linda Buttery ( Helen Joseph) VPE: Scott Greenwood (Ken Walley); VPM: Helen Joseph; VPPR & Sec.: Linda Buttery; Trea.: Wayne Fogel (Helen Joseph); SAA: Ken Walley. Intn. Sp & TT Contest Master: Dorothy Day Otis; Chief Judge: Ali'e Weber; Sp 1st Pl.: Ken Blake; Sp. 2nd Pl: Ash Mahavir; 1st TT: Ken Walley; 2nd TT: Wayne Fogel.

    July-Dec. 1999: Pres: Ralph Cowell*; VPE: Helen Joseph; VPM: Michael Joseph; VPPR: Kristen Vennum; Sec: Dorothy Day Otis; Trea.: Nancy Cowell /Wayne Fogel; SAA: Scott Greewood. Hum. Sp. & Eval. Contest Master: Ralph Cowell; Chief Judge; Alie Weber; 1st Pl. Sp: Ralph Cowell; 2nd Pl: Diane Shaheen; Eval. 1st: Michael Joseph; Eval. 2nd: Dorothy Day Otis.

    Jan.-June. 1999: Pres. Helen Joseph; VPE: Jeff Shetterly; VPPR: Sandi Alexander; VPM: Michael Joseph. Sec.: Kristen Vennum. Trea.: Hazel Wright.  SAA: Marc Joseph / Ken Blake.

    1997: Pres. Maytee Amador (?)

     

    July-Dec. 1996: Pres. Sandi Alexander; VPE: Diana Walley; VPM: Judy Holsclaw; VPPR: Tom Permar; Sec & Trea. : Mark Capermeyer; SAA: Steve Wilmarth. Toastmaster of Year 1996: Diana Walley**

     

    Jan.-June 1996: Pres. Mary MacNeil; SAA: Steve Wilmarth.

     

    July-Dec. 1995: Pres. Tom Permar; VPE: Mike Shamp; VPM: Judy Holsclaw; VPPR: Gloria Kemp; Sec.: Hubert Warner; Trea.: Kaye Robinson; SAA: Steve Wilmarth.

     

    * President's Distinguished Club. **Only Year (so far) Awarded.

    ANY INFORMATION ON OUR HISTORY & PAST OFFICERS, PLEASE CONTACT KEN WALLEY at kwalley@cfl.rr.com IF YOU HAVE ANY PRE-JULY 1999 CLUB #28 AGENDAS OR LITERATURE PLEASE CONTACT ME SO WE CAN "FILL IN THE BLANKS" THANK YOU!

     

     

    PRESIDENT'S DISTINGUISHED AWARDS

     July 1999 to JUNE 2000 Presidents: Ralph Cowell, Dorothy Day Otis.

    Goal #1 Two CTMs: Scott Greenwood, Kristen Vennum.

    Goal #2: Two More CTMs: Ken Walley, Ken Blake, Wayne Fogel

    Goal #3: One ATM: Diana Walley, ATMB

    Goal #4: One More ATM: Dorothy Day Otis, ATMG

    Goal #5: One CL, AL or DTM: Helen Joseph, CL

    Goal #6: One More CL, AL or DTM: Dorothy Day Otis, CL

    Goal #7: Four New Members: Ken Walley, Monica Rowskevitz, Rebecca Ballentine, Mary Fitzgibbons

    Goal #8: Four More New Members: Mark McDevitt, Tisha Rumph, Roland Ramkassoon, Barbara Armstrong, Shinita Carter, Tom Hereford, Chris Turner, Anne Burns, Dwayne Black, Christy Sanchez

    Goal #9: Minimum of Four Officers Trained for Each Period: (7/1-12/31 and 1/1-6/30): COMPLETED

    Goal #10: One Semi Annual Membership Report and One Club Officer List Submitted on Time: COMPLETED

     

    JULY 2000 through JUNE 2001: Presidents Helen Joseph and Ken Walley

    Goal #1: Two CTMs: Linda Buttery, Alex Logiou

    Goal #2: Two More CTMs: Nancy Cowell, Robin Knight, Dennis Gola

    Goal #3: One ATM: Ken Walley, ATMB

    Goal #4: One More ATM: Diana Walley, ATMS, Ken Walley ATMS, Diana Walley, ATMG

    Goal #5: One CL, AL, or DTM: Ken Walley, CL

    Goal #6: One More CL, AL, or DTM: Ralph Cowell, CL

    Goal #7: Four New Members: Michael Joseph, Alex Logiou, Edmond Solomon, Barbara Maynard

    Goal #8: Four More New Members: Farooq Akram, Joe Ferra, Joan Durant-Bryan, Jocelyn Clarke, Mark Cox, Jackson Young, Robin Knight, Steve Ashkenaz, Doug Baggett, Juan Tito, Dennis Rookwood, Dennis Gola, Robert Murphy

    Goal # 9: Minimum of Four Club Officers Trained for Each Period (7/1-12/31 and 1/1-6/30): COMPLETED.

    Goal #10: One Semiannual Membership Report and One Club Officer List Submitted on Time: COMPLETED..

     

    JULY 2001 through JUNE 2002: Presidents Michael Joseph and Debbe Ryan

    Goal #1: Two CTMs: Michael Joseph (3rd), Tseganesh Gudeta

    Goal #2: Two More CTMs: Helen Joseph and Michael Hare

    Goal #3: One ATM: Ken Walley, ATMG

    Goal #4: One More ATM: Ken Blake, ATMB

    Goal #5: One CL, AL, or DTM: Ken Blake, CL

    Goal #6: One More CL, AL, or DTM: Debbe Ryan, CL

    Goal #8: Four New Members: Debbe Ryan, Diana Rosenberg, Melissa Torres, Steve Jackson

    Goal #9: Four More New Members: Tseganesh Gudeta, Michael Hare, Linda Dabney, James Liebl, Robin Knight (Rejoin), Sam Ryan, Paul Hagee, Judith Martin, Richard Gump, Pete Carrion

    Goal # 9: Minimum of Four Club Officers Trained for Each Period: (7/1-12/31 and 1/1 - 6/30): COMPLETE

    One Semiannual Membership Report and One Club Officer List Submitted on Time: COMPLETE

     

    JULY 2002 through JUNE 2003 Presidents: Debbe Ryan and Diana Walley

    Goal #1: Two CTMs: Diana Walley (2nd), Adam Scoggins

    Goal #2: Two More CTMs: Goal not reached.

    Goal #3: One ATM: Mike Hare, ATMB

    Goal #4: One More ATM: Ken Walley, ATMB (2nd)

    Goal #5: One CL, AL or DTM: Sam Ryan, CL

    Goal #6: One More CL, AL, or DTM: Tseganesh Gudeta, CL

    Goal #7: Four New Members: Caprice Martin, Vernonika Alexander, Brian Wheeler, Tony Betts

    Goal #8: Four More New Members: Adam Scoggins, Mark Cox (Rejoin), Joe Griggs, Joe Bowie, Steve Litt, Hector Amezquita, Ed Carmona, Ross Thomson, Nancy Dunn, Tim Kennedy, Jim Stitt

    Goal #9: Minimum of Four Club Officers Trained for Each Period (7/1-12/31 and 1/1- 6/30): COMPLETED

    Goal #10: One Semiannual Membership Report and One Club Officer List Submitted on time: COMPLETED.

     

    JULY 2003-JUNE 2004 Presidents: Adam Scoggins (Two Terms)

    Goal #1: Two CTMs: Brian Wheeler, Tony Betts

    Goal #2: Two More CTMs: Dr. Ross Thomson, Mark Cox, James Webb

    Goal #3: One ATM: Tseganesh Gudeta, ATMB

    Goal #4: One More ATM: Ken Walley (2nd) ATMS 

    Goal #5: One CL, AL or DTM: Steve Litt

    Goal #6: One More CL, AL or DTM: 

    Goal #7: Four New Members: Greg Seibert, Laurie Heinitz, Jannine Ynchaustegul, Earl K. Wood (Rejoin), Barbara Lott. 

    Goal #8:  Four More New Members: Chris Moore, Darren Koltow, Eva Garrick, Russell Russ, Dr. Paul Layman, Monique Egelhoff, Darlissa Grifith, Jordan Ellington, Arthur Layman, David Dyrek, Ed Layman. Paul Hagge

    Goal #9: Four Club Officers Trained for Each Period (7/1-12/31 and 1/1-6/30): 1ST PERIOD COMPLETED/ 2ND PERIOD COMPLETED .

    Goal #10: One Semiannual Membership Report and One Club Officer List Submitted on Time: COMPLETED. 

     

    JULY 2004 through JUNE 2005 Presidents: Dr. Ross Thomson and Ed Carmona

    Goal #1: Two CTM: Barbara Lott, Russell Russ

    Goal #2: Two More CTM: Laurie Heinitz 

    Goal #3: One ATM: Brian Wheeler ATMB, Ross Thomson, ATMB

    Goal #4: One More ATM: Ed Carmona, ATMB, Ken Blake, ATMS

    Goal #5: One CL, AL, or DTM: Ed Carmona, CL

    Goal #6; One More CL, AL or DTM: Dr. Ross Thomson, CL

    Goal #7: Four New Members: Andy Schrader, Robert Guerrero, John Loblack, John Walker

    Goal #8: Four More New Members: Melissa Baldauf, Michelle Crane, Phil Sumampow, David Landers, Dr. Lisa Palmer, Wanda Diaz, Jennifer Mattison, Tamara Blaze, J. P. Grace, Ed Morris, Janet Rodriquez, Serita Morgan

    Goal #9: Four Club officers Trained: for each period: (7/1-12/31) and 1/1-6/30): 1ST PERIOD: Pres. VPE, VPPR, Sec., Trea, SAA (Make Up Training 7/31/04)2ND PERIOD: Pres. VPE, VPPR, VPM, Sec., (Planet TM) 

    2ND PERIOD:

    Goal #10: One Semiannual Membership Report and one Officer List Submitted on Time:   

     

    JULY 2008 Through June 2009 Presidents: Dennis Gola and Barbara Cusack

    Goal #1: Two CC: Paul Hagge, Barbara Cusack

    Goal #2: Two more CC: Jose Lopez, Susan Deichen

    Goal #3: One ACB, ACS OR ACG: Dennis Gola, ACG

    Goal #4: One more ACB, ACS or ACG:

    Goal #5: One CL, AL or DTM: Dr. Michael Dichen, CL

    Goal #6: One more CL, AL or DTM: Barbara Cusack, CL

    Goal #7: Four New members: Monica Walley, John Bonowitz-Coffey, Stephne Bentley (transfer), Jesse Baker

    Goal #8: Four More New Members Ed Dimayuga, Deepti Dhiman, Ebony Langston, Jesus Serrano, Michael Vance, Herman Chahal, Debbe Ryan, Jim Stitt, William Watson, Justin Gay, A. Michael Machatta, Dionne Aiken, Tseganesh Gudeta, Erin Hoaglen, Alison Brooke Briggs, Bori Um, Amber Gudenkauf, Brian Wheeler, Steve Wood. :

    Goal #9: Four Club officers Trained for each period: Pres. VPE, Secy. Trea. and SAA (7/08) and Pres. VPE, VPM, Secy. (1/09)

    Goal #10: Officer lists reported to TI  for 6/08 and 12/08. Dues reports submitted on time for both periods.

     

    JULY 2009 THROUGH JUNE 2010 Presidents: Ed Dimayuga and Deepti Dhiman

    Goal #1:Two CC: William Watson, Deepti Dhiman,

    Goal #2:Ed Dimayuga, Ruble Nedumkunnel

    Goal #3:ON ACB, ACS, or ACG: Ken Blake ACG

    Goal #4: One More ACG, ACS or ACG:

    Goal #5: Once CL, AL or DTM: Ed Dimayuga, CL

    Goal #6: One More CL, AL or DTM: Deepti Dhiman, CL

    Goal #7: Four New members: Patrice Hatcher, Kami Shahid, Jennifer Barrett, Rob Streeter

    Goal #8: Four More new members: Christopher Berns, Sue Park, Ruble Nedumkunnel, Wilner Luders, John Hines, Ron Silva, Ebony Langston, Deborah Ryan, Dana Davis, Jose E> Lopez, Mark Gumula II, Carolyn Stapleton, George DeJesus, Malita Clarke, Tai Johnson.

    Goal #9: Four Club officers trained for each period: 1st July/August 09: Pres. VPE, VPM, Treasurer and SAA. 2nd Jan/Feb. 2010: Pres. VPE, VPM, VPPR, Secertary, Treasurer & SAA!

    Goal #10: One semi annual percaps & 2 officer lists submitted: Officer lists:6/09 & 12/09 Per Caps: 9/09 & 3/10.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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    Orlando Club #28 was founded in the year 1933, as far as we can tell. The Club itself was probably created even BEFORE that year. It is the year we mark our birth because it is the date on a plaque, that still exits, honoring Orlando Toastmaster Club, #28: "The Club of the Year 1933." Although our Toastmaster International Charter has us listed in the year "1947", Our club was well established before that year and it is obvious that the charter was re-issued long after the establishment of Club #28. We are, at any rate, the "Oldest Club East of the Rockies". Dr. Ralph Smedley, DTM the Founder of Toastmasters International himself was known to have been in contact, and interested in the welfare of Club #28 during his lifetime. Sadly, the correspondence has been lost between Dr. Smedley and the club. Those letters were last known to exit as late as sometime in the late 1980's or early 90's.

     

    During and after WWII, Club #28 became known as the "Howard Rybolt, (DTM) Club" in honor of an Orlando War hero. Toastmaster Gloria Kemp, DTM modernized the club and helped open it up for women and minorities. Like all Toastmasters Clubs, we take pride in, and gain strength from, the diversity of our members.

     

    Included in our claimed membership are President Franklin D. Roosevelt (honorary), Long time Orange County Tax Collector Earl K. Wood, DTM, Dana Green, ATM , Club #28's first woman President and long time member Judy Holsclaw, CTM who helped save the club during a membership crisis in the 1990's. Central Division Governor Michael Joseph, DTM and Area 49 Governor Helen Joseph, DTM both are credited with helping to save Club #28 as well during this time.

     

    Former International Director Paul Meunier, DTM was also a member of Club #28. Another Central Division Governor that later served as Club #28's President was Debbe Ryan, ACG, CL.

     

    In 2004, Club member James Webb, CC started his quest to win the International Toastmasters  Speech contest at the Club #28 contest and ended up 3rd in the World at the International convention! James became director of a successful communications program of his own.  Toastmaster Club #28 legend Diana Walley ACG, CL won the only "Orlando Club #28 Toastmaster of the Year Award" (presented in 1996) for her dedication towards the club. She also created one of the first websites for Toastmasters at Club #28.

     

    Other notable members include former President Ralph Cowell, ACB, CL, a renowned professional speaker, Kenneth Blake ACS, a popular area businessman and Toastmaster ambassador, Brian Wheeler ACB, CL the founder and CEO of the Tijuana Flats Restaurant chain.

     

    Over the years the club has met in various places including a Picadilly Restaurant, The Orlando Presbyterian Church, The Downtown Orlando YMCA, The Center for Spiritual Living and even a Bowling Alley was used at one time! In 1998 the Club moved to the Orlando Public Library where it has found its permanent home. One of the largest Orlando Toastmaster Clubs, The highly recognized Orlando Conquerors Club #1066 (Club #28's "Little Sister") was a spin off of Club #28. Orlando's oldest club is indeed, as Toastmaster Michael Joseph DTM called it, "The Mother of all Orlando Toastmaster Clubs" since so many clubs have been sponsored by Club #28. Club #28 has won many awards over the years and won six consecutive President's Distinguished Club Awards from 1999 to 2006. The award is the highest award bestowed upon a club by Toastmasters International.

    In 2009, Club earned it's 7th President's Distinguished Award.

     

    We light the path to success and we are proud of who we are and what we do..