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, Ruble Nedumkunnez. EDITOR: Kenneth H. Walley, ACG, CL; PUBLISHER and ORLANDO TOASTMASTERS CLUB #28 PRESIDENT: Deepti Dhiman, CC.

 

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

PAST ARTICLES:

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)

MAY IS LEADERSHIP MONTH By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (May 2009)

 

MY TOASTMASTERS HEROES! By Kenneth H. Walley (April 2009)

 

O! WHAT A NIGHT! Club #28's "Young Guns" make big noise at the club International Speech and Table Topis contests! By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (March 2009)

WHAT TOASTMASTERS MEANS TO ME By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (February 2009)

2009 WILL BE A GREAT YEAR FOR OUR COUNTRY AND FOR CLUB #28 (That's right, you heard me.) By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (January 2009)

MAY YOUR HOLIDAYS BE FILLED WITH JOY! By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (December 2008)

PAST OFFICERS AND CONTEST WINNERS

PRESIDENT'S DISTINGUISHED CLUB RECORDS, 1999 to Present 

 

 

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 ot 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 vary 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 acting 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 in 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!

 

MAY IS LEADERSHIP MONTH

By Kenneth H. Walley  (May 2009 Edition)

The Month of May is here and it is time to look to our future. Like most Toastmasters Clubs this is the month when club officers are selected for the next Toastmasters term: July through December. It is the responsibility of all Toastmasters to take part in the leadership of the club and to help the club succeed!

This club has been truly blessed with some incredibly hardworking officers over the past six months. President Barbara Cusack, CC; Vice President of Education Deepti Dhiman; Vice President of Membership Ed Dimayuga, Treasurer Jose Lopez, CC; Secretary Monica Walley and Sgt. at Arms Michael Machata have all been great examples of club leadership!

By the end of the month these large shoes must be filled with dedicated Toastmasters willing to learn leadership with a "hands on" spproach so that our club can continue the great success that we have enjoyed over the past six months.

Here is a brief description of our officer positions: President: Oversees the other officers and brings together all of the elements of the club to achieve success. The president presides over officer meetings and organizes club projects. The president is responsible for dealing with Toastmasters International, voting for district officers and representing the club with any issues outside of the club at the Area, Division and District levels. Most of all the President is like a band director who gets everyone playing the same song and making beautiful music. The Vice President of Education is in charge of overseeing the club progress with the Distinguished Club program, as well as helping to organize the club contests and other special events. The VPE is in charge of weekly meeting planning and the Mentoring program. The Vice President of Membership is in charge, of course, with growing membership. He or she sees that the process of "Guest to member" is made effortless. The Vice President of Public Relations is in charge of "getting the word out" about what a great thing that we have going here! The job might include working with the press, creating publications, fliers, brochures, business cards, dealing with the business community and working closely with the VP of Membership to help fill those seats! The Treasurer is the "money person" who reminds us of when dues are due and has them sent into Toastmasters International on time. The treasurer also helps to order supplies for the club and keeps track of all of the financial accounts. The Secretary is in charge of general correspondence, keeping of club files and researching club history as well as the recording of past club minutes and attendance. The secretary also helps the Web Master to update the "past meetings" page of this web site as well! The Sgt. at Arms is in charge of our equipment and setting up the meeting room before each meeting. The SAA is more importantly, the "ambassador" of the club. It is the SAA who make all who enter the room welcomed and comfortable.

I have served as an officer in all of these positions at least one and some of them many times. I have always learned something and have gained leadership skills every time that I have had the experience of taking on the responsibility to serve. There has been nothing more full-filling to me in my Toastmaster journey than to have had the pleasure of serving my club as an officer.

A club cannot run itself. One person cannot fill all of these roles. If you are asked to serve as a club officer for this upcoming term, please accept your club duty. You will be doing yourself, as well as the club, a great favor.

If you are interested in a position of leadership in Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 please contact Club president Barbara Cusack, CC during the Month of May.

I'll see everyone at the Orlando Public Library at 7:00pm (3rd floor) every Thursday evening!

MY TOASTMASTERS HEROES

(This Article is dedicated to the late Gabi Mercier. It is adapted from the October 2002 article titled "Fill Your Heart With Joy!")

By Kenneth H. Walley (April 2009 edition)

I have been to many Toastmasters meetings and I have heard a lot of speeches. I have found that at each meeting, in almost every speech that I hear, I will find a new way of seeing my world. These small jewels of wisdom, snapshots of courage and pockets of friendship that make up the Toastmaster meetings of my past have changed me greatly. I am a better person because of Toastmasters and it is in no small part because Toastmasters challenges me to constantly change.

I have many heroes in Toastmasters. They have taught me not only with the techniques of enhanced communication skills, but by example.

My original Club #28 mentor, a man named Ralph Cowell, ACB, CL is retired now but along with his wonderful wife, Nancy Cowell, CC, they still keep up with Club #28 by e-mail and on our website. During my early years in Toastmasters, Ralph and Nancy "showed me the ropes". They answered a phyethora of questions that I had, but most of all, they gave me unwavering encouragement. During that time as well, the Cowells endured some truly difficult financial blows. As life sometimes does, they were, thanks to the Enron Co., unfairly tossed a financial "bean ball" that shook up their world.

I learned from them how a person overcomes adversary with class and dignity. I did not find this lesson in a Toastmasters manual. I learned how important it is to believe in yourself from watching Ralph and Nancy. These lessons are even more important to me as I look at the uncertain time that we are experiencing now. 

Ralph may have been my "official" mentor but I can learn from all of the members of this club, past and present. Dennis Gola, ACS, CL; Ken Blake, ACS, CL; Michael and Helen Joseph, DTMs, Tseganesh Gudeta, ACB, CL; Debbe Ryan, ACG, CL, Diana Walley, ACG, CC; Ed Carmona, ACB, CL; Barbara Cusack, CC; Jose Lopez, CC; Paul Hagge, CC; Bob Blaydes, CC... It is a long, long list... and so many others. ALL have inspired me to be a better person than I was. They still do. I learn from new members and old members alike in Toastmasters. Just last week the Ice Breaker speeches of two of our newer members, Michael Vance and William Watson, opened my eyes and inspired me. I go out of every meeting a better person than when I came in!

And one more hero if you please, the late Gabi Mercier, ACS was the heart and soul of Orange County Toastmasters Club #129. Her love of Toastmasters, only eclipsed by her love of God, country and family, was evident as she nurtured and mentored many young Toastmasters over the years, including myself. She once wrote:

"The Toastmasters who show up at the meeting are there because they want to be. They will perform, they will conduct a meeting regardless of how many other do not show up. A leader learns that regardless of what other people say, or do and/or do not do, we will perform to the best of our ability... they always give it their best shot. Have faith, believe in our Lord. He will never let you down. He will be walking, talking to you, encouraging you, supporting you, no matter what. We all have choices, you just need to make your choice. Toastmasters is fun, it is a great learning laboratory and it brings out the best in all of us. Let your heart be filled with joy and happiness, walk besides still waters."

I have found that some of the "still waters" is knowing that there are people here that support and love you. Club #28 is a safe haven where you can go to improve not only communication and leadership skills, but also a place to change within yourself, to take on challenges you would have avoided in the past and feel the joy of becoming a more, positive, complete person.

Be inspired to find out what you can accomplish in Toastmasters. Remember the lessons that you learn and share them with others. In every chair, at every meeting sits a potential hero.

Have a seat!

O! WHAT A NIGHT!

Club #28' "Young Guns" make some big noise at the club International Speech and Table Topics Contests

By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (March 2009 edition)

When Club #28 Vice President of Education Deepti Dhiman announced the date for the Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 International Speech and Table Topics Contests for Thursday March, 5th, 2009 she could not have had any idea that that date would go down in club history as one of the most successful and entertaining evening in its 76 year history! Club #28 was able to showcase some of it's well-known speakers and introduce to the Central Florida scene some upcoming orator super-talent.

The Magnolia Room at the Downtown Public Library was packed with club members, guests and dignitaries. Some of the most recognizable local Toastmaster elite graced the room including Area 32 Governor Richard Arden, Central Florida Toastmaster legend Helen Joseph, DTM, Area 33 Governor Gloria Esteban, DTM and long time Club #28 supporter Orange County Toastmasters Club #129's VP of Education, Luvenia Hart. No one, from the 1st time visitor to the Distinguished Toastmaster, would be disappointed by the performances of this evening.

Ken Walley ACG, CL started off the evening with an Invocation that focused appropriately on "talent and discipline". Our hostess for this evening was Contest Master and Club #28 President Barbara Cusack, CC. Barbara not only kept the contests (including four speeches and five Table Topics speakers) on task and on time, she also greatly enhanced the evening with her charm and her well known sense of humor.

The Table Topics contest was a highly impressive display of extemporaneous speech. Contest Sgt. at Arms Ed Carmona, ACB, CL led all of the contestants out of the room except for the first speaker Dennis Gola, ACS, CL who was the first to answer the question: "What makes a perfect day?" Dennis spoke of having not to worry about getting from one place to another and for things to simply "fall into place". Ed brought in Jamie Waters as the next speaker who spoke with a perspective of one who was looking for employment. His optimistic view was that until he gets hired, "everyday is the weekend". Michael Machata spoke of spending time with his wife and surfing at the beach. Ken Blake, ACS, CL spoke about getting away from the responsibilities of his job and "running barefoot through the wet grass" Susan Deichen, a last minute entry in the contest, spoke about waking up to the alarm clock and finding out that she still had hours to sleep and then later, as a teacher, making a difference in the life of a child. They were all excellent answers. The answers were at times funny, thoughtful, witty and even moving. Dennis added to his already impressive hoard of trophies by coming in 2nd place and Ken Blake another Club #28 icon, look the first place prize with his Table Topics answer.

The International Speech Contest included past winner Ken Blake and three contest newcomers: Deepti Dhiman, Ed Dimayuga and Jose Lopez, CC. Ken's speech titled "I Can't Breathe" was a speech that he had given before to the club a number of times but it always captures the imagination of the audience. He told of the time that he was left in charge of some divers during a deep sea dive and when the boat got back to shore, those divers were not on board! Jose's speech was about the boxing champion Muhammad Ali titled "The Greatest of All Time!". Jose even reenacted some of Ali's boxing matches as part of the speech! Ed Dimayuga's speech was about the types of personalities that can "kill a meeting". Titled "Bad Apples" these included "the jerk", "the pessimist" and "the guy who argues with everything". Deepti Dhiman's highly upbeat speech "How to Develop Enthusiasm", gave us advice such as "Speak in a strong voice!" and "Give yourself a pep talk!" Everyone was enthusiastic with all of the speeches! Coming in second place was Deepti and Jose Lopez took the 1st place trophy in his first ever International Speech contest!

Congratulations to Jose, Deepti, Ken B. and Dennis! All of them will now go to the Area 32 Contest March 29th at the Mayflower Retirement Resort in Winter Park. I hope that Club #28 can send a big crowd to represent us at Area and cheer on our winners!

At the end of the evening, Club #28 received some truly positive comments from our guests Brian McCormick, Amber Gudenkauf, Jade Kimmeth and Cynthia DeJesus.

Everyone who took part in this contest was a winner! There was as much talent behind the scenes as there was at the lectern. A special thanks to our judges who hailed from different clubs. Sgt. at Arms Michael Machata, Contest Sgt. at Arms Ed Carmonia, ACB, CL; Timer Tseganesh Gudeta, ACB, CL; Vote Counters Ken Walley and Justin Gay; Chief Judge Gloria Esteban and of course, our Contest Master Barbara Cusack, CC. Everyone did a superb job!

Again congratulations to our winners and to Club #28!

WHAT TOASTMASTERS MEANS TO ME

By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (February 2009 edition)

I have been one lucky guy! The last 10 years of my life have been spent with some of the greatest people on earth. Little did I know how much my world would change when   started my new Toastmasters journey in June of 1996. I remembed mostly that I was nervous about going to my first meeting. No, I was terrified about going to the meeting! I found out however that I had nothing to fear. I was met by people who once had a fear of public speaking but they had overcome that dread and had improved their lives immeasurably. They knew how I felt when they saw me at the door. and they were inviting, warm and friendly. Sadly, due to my job at Walt Disney World, I was unable to attend Toastmasters for almost 3 more years. I returned to Club #28 on June 24th of 1999.

The Club had moved from the Downtown YMCA to the Orlando Public Library when I returned to Toastmasters on that June evening. The same warm welcome awaited me and even some familiar faces were there from the past but there was also a lot of people I had never met before. That night I helped take part in the meeting and I keep coming back and, after a few weeks, I got up the courage to give my Ice Breaker speech. I was amazed to find that I had hidden skills and I was encouraged to expand on them. Soon, I was trying out my new wings. In no time at all I was controlling my fears and enjoying a new found personal power in the art of public speaking!

I learned leadership skills in Toastmasters. I served first as the club's Sergeant-at-Arms, then later as the club Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President of Membership, Vice President of Public Relations, Vice President of Education and finally as Club President! I joined another Toastmaster Club as well and became president of that club. I also served outside of our club as an Area Governor. These positions of responsibility gave me skills in organization and management that have truly helped in the "real world".

The friends that I have made in Toastmasters have helped me to be a more positive, supportive and understanding person because they were positive, supportive and understanding towards me. I have made wonderful, lifelong friends that I will always cherish  having the good fortune of knowing. I have also learned how to mentor others by the first hand experience of being guided by some of the most thoughtful and caring individuals that I have ever known.

I have said this many times: Toastmasters has improved my life on almost every important level, be it professional, social or personal. It has greatly boosted my self-esteem, improved my skills in communication and leadership and has provided me with a million wonderful memories that have enriched my life and brightened my future.

What Toastmasters means to me is not only being in a highly successful program that works to improve lives but also to have the thrill of being in a place where I belong, where I am accepted and I can help others to reach their goals and dreams. Toastmasters may not be a "way of life" but it is a way to make your life a whole lot better.

I truly hope your Toastmasters journey is as rewarding as mine has been.

Editor's note: We have set the date for the 2009 Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 International Speech and Table Topics contest for March 5th, 2009. Watch this website for an article coming soon!

See you on Thursday night!

 

2009 WILL BE A GREAT YEAR FOR OUR COUNTRY AND FOR CLUB #28 (That's right, you heard me.)

By Kenneth H. Walley ACG, CL (January 2009 edition)

As I sit in front of the TV set on New Years Day, surrounded by unhealthy snacks and only marginally more healthy leftovers and watching college football games, I am reminded that each year starts off with a great amount of hopeful anticipation and a wary suspicion of yet unforeseen but trying circumstances. For this brand new year, according to me anyway, the "hope factor" seems to be outweighing the "fear factor".

I believe 2009 will be A GREAT YEAR for our nation and for Orlando Toastmasters Club #28!

First, our nation:

"How can you say that?" I hear so many of you reply! "We have this horrible recession, this mortgage crisis, this job market, terrorism and war... Things are not looking very positive anywhere for 2009!" I hear you. But consider that things might not be as bad as they appear:

Mortgage rates are falling. Housing affordability is up. The Federal Reserve is going to purchase mortgage securities... so... 30 year fixed rate mortgages, when you take into account the Treasury Department's plan to push for a bailout, might drop rates as low as 4.5%... maybe even 4.0%! That's good news for new and CURRENT homeowners looking to refinance. How's them apples for HOPE in 2009?

Most of the financial information in this article comes from an MSN / NBC report titled "Why The Economy Might Bounce Back in 2009" where I found this little tidbit: According to investment strategist Edward Yardeni, a 2 percentage-point drop in the mortgage rate would amount to a 200 Billion annual tax cut for the 45 million American households with mortgages.

Did you notice that the gas prices seem to be dropping? Humm? Instead of the beating that the oil prices were taking on the economy just last year, all of a sudden oil prices dropping to $1.80 a gallon have become a big positive in our economy. Even more so as we gear down as a nation to save energy costs!

A stimulus bill is on the way to congress. I believe I heard President-elect Barack Obama say that. Well yes, yes I did. You can expect it to start having an impact by March. according to some financial reports. I'm a positive type of guy so I think we might even see progress before then. Congress knows it has to end this crisis as soon as possible and another middle class friendly "jump start" to the economy just might do the trick. there is a "payroll tax holiday" also being considered by President-elect Obama. President Obama. by the way, has surrounded himself with a strong economic team that by all accounts is focused on finding solutions rather than playing politics.

New jobs, especially in Energy and Health Care are in the works! Plans are for millions of new jobs that will open up within five years. In the meantime the Fed is NOT letting the money supply collapse. By the adding of liquidity to the system by the Fed, the creation of new jobs and the dropping of mortgage rates, along with other programs in Obama's stimulus plan... There is an honest-to-God chance that we may be out of this economic crisis sooner than anyone thinks. A lot sooner. 

Obama has pledged to find a solution to the question of troop withdrawal from Iraq that would leave that country stable but would not prolong our military involvement. Resources now being used in Iraq can be used in other places, such as in fighting terrorism, strengthening our borders, reinforcing Afghanistan, and at home, in education, space programs, job training and environmental research, etc.

There! You should feel better about 2009! Soon, possibly, and it is POSSIBLE that there will be no recession, less war and a weakening base of terrorism! Heck, we might even catch Osama Bin Laden in 2009!

But what about Club #28?

The good news about 2009 gets even better! With our new staff of officers, led by President Barbara Cusack, and our fast growing membership, with some of the best meeting that could be found in Toastmaster clubs anywhere, why shouldn't we be super-confident about the future of Club #28?  This club just get better every year! I AM SO PROUD of our new officers! This group has so much leadership potential that it is possible our club can reach even new heights! I have never been more optimistic about the future of Club #28!

This club has a great membership, a great attitude and the desire to succeed. 

I see great things for Club #28... and our country! Just ahead in 2009, a brighter future awaits if we work at it... and believe in it!

Happy New Year!

MAY YOUR HOLIDAYS BE FILLED WITH JOY!

By Kenneth H. Walley, ACG, CL (December, 2008 edition)

WOW! It seems hard to believe that the year is almost over and Toastmaster Club #28 has added another great chapter to its long history. Looking back on our 75th year, 2008 was filled with great challenges and even greater successes. This club once again exceeded expectations! Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 is enjoying a renaissance that can only guarantee that 2009, our 76th year, will be our very best year ever!

Looking back: We had a meeting on stage in the Orlando Public Library 1st floor lobby with the appropriate theme of "That's Entertainment!" Entertain we did and we added some new members as well! We hosted our Division Governor and Area Governor for a special meeting in August which focused on Leadership. Our International Speech Contest and Table Topics Contest in February hosted some incredibly brilliant speeches by Ken Blake, Bob Blaydes, Barbara Cusack and Dennis Gola. Winning his first contest title was Bob Blaydes with a masterful speech titled "Connections". Out Table Topics Contestants were Ken Blake, Susan Deichen, Ben Jackson, and our winner, Dennis Gola. Our Humorous Speech and Evaluations Contests were every bit as excellent featuring speeches by Ken Walley Dennis Gola, Jamie Waters and our Humorous Speech winner Barbara Cusack who had everyone laughing with a speech titled "Queen of Clean!" Stephen Bentley, Ken Walley and contest winner Dennis Gola also delivered stellar evaluations of an astonishing "test" speech by Luvenia Hart. Division "C" International Speech contest winner Andrew Greenstein visited the club in April and presented his award winning speech titled "The Magic Is..." to our club. Andrew was looking for some ideas to take to the District Contest. What a great performance we saw on that evening! 

Some of the best meetings that Club #28 has ever had (75 years is a lot of great meetings!) were produced in 2008! Some of my favorites were the May 8th "Mothers" themed meeting with Toastmaster Ken Blake; The June 12th "Get Rich Quick" Themed meeting featuring Stephen Bentley; The "Getting Your House in Order"  July 10th meeting with Barbara Cusack; the August 7th 2008 "Hurricanes: Don't Get Blown Away!" themed meeting by Dr. Michael Deichen; The excellent August 20th 2008 "The Olympics!" meeting with Jose Lopez; also Deepti Dhiman's "Going Green" meeting on September 25th; The "Presidential Elections" meeting hosted by Jesus Serrano on November 6th and Monica Walley's 1st time as Toastmaster for the "1970's" themed meeting... just to name a few great meetings we had in 2008. It is hard to remember a year in which the quality of our meetings have been so high and each week seemed to improve upon the last.

If the meetings were awesome... the speeches were amazing! Who can forget Dennis Gola's speech "An Interesting Thing About July"? It was based upon the true story of July Perry who faced horrible racial persecution. "Positively Beautiful" by Barbara Cusack was a powerful statement about the AIDS virus; Jamie Waters VERY humorous speech "The Biggest Waste of Land"; Paul Hagge's semi-travelogue "Cheeseburger with Extra Onions" as well as his statement of Jury Duty titled "Lemons"; Susan Deichen's brilliant "CPR for Club #28" which was the best membership speech that I have ever heard anywhere; Monica Walley's "Where I Was / Where I Am" her recollections on 9/11; Deepti Dhiman's "Culture Shock" comparing India to America and on the same night was Jose Lopez's "Muhammad Ali"; Jesus Serrano's "A Super Bowl Night Like No Other"... This is just a small sampling of the great speeches I heard at Club #28, the list of fantastic speeches seems to go on forever. 

The Ice Breakers were truly exceptional! We started off with our first Ice breaker by Louis Cianfrogna who would prove to be an entertaining speaker throughout the rest of the year. Monica Walley, Stephen Bentley, Karolyn Oakley, Jesse Baker, Ed DiMayuga, Deepti Dhiman, Ebony Langston Jesus Serrano and most recently Michael Machata all gave their 1st Toastmaster's speech this year. Everyone has a story to tell and we heard some wonderful stories. We found out that our own Jose Lopez was a true American hero in an Ice Breaker speech that brought the war in Iraq a lot closer to all of us. Jamie Waters gave an Ice Breaker speech to introduce himself to his 3rd Toastmasters club. It told a tale of survival that was very inspiring and it also had a great title: "J.H2O" 

Every Orlando Toastmasters Club #28 meeting of 2008 was a rewarding experience.

It would be a great mistake to over look those who served as club officers over the last year and worked so hard to create a truly positive learning environment such as Club 328. Our two Presidents were club "pillars" Ken Walley and Dennis Gola. Serving as our Vice Presidents of  Education were Susan Deichen and Dr. Michael Deichen. Ken Walley also helped out at that position as well. The Vice Presidents of membership were Dr. Michael Deichen and Barbara Cusack.Filling in as the Vice President of Public Relations were Dennis Gola and Paul Hagge. Handling the money were our Treasurers Joe Cannazaro and Ken Walley.  Barbara Cusack and Susan Deichen held the position of Secretary during the year. We also had two of the best Sergeant at Arms this club has ever had in Ben Jackson and Jose Lopez. From all of us who are members of #28, past and present, we sincerely thank you for your leadership!

2009 will be our BEST YEAR EVER! I know that we have some challenges ahead, like we did in the past, but overcoming challenges and becoming even better because of them, is what this club does best. I know that 2009 will be a tremendous year of learning, friendship and fun!

I wish everyone at Orlando Toastmasters Club #28, its members, past members, guest, friends and family, along with all of those of the Orange County Library System Staff, a very merry and happy holidays and the most wonderful and joyous of new years!

 

PAST OFFICERS & CONTEST WINNERS

 

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:; Chief Judge:; 1st Pl. Intl. Sp.:; 2nd Pl. Intl. Sp.:; 1st Pl. T.T.:; 2nd Pl. T.T.:.

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.

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, ATMS

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:

Goal #2:

Goal #3:

Goal #4:

Goal #5:

Goal #6:

Goal #7:

Goal #8:

Goal #9:

Goal #10: