Latest news with #Toastmasters
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Toastmasters District 126 Launches Jubilance 2025 Conference in Hyderabad
The Toastmasters District 126 Annual Conference, 'Jubilance 2025,' kicked off at ESCI, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, bringing together members from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Nagpur. Distinguished Toastmaster Sujit Sukumaran graced the event as chief guest, while Manoj Vasudevan, 2017 World Champion of Public Speaking, delivered a captivating keynote. The two-day conference featured speech contests in multiple categories, empowering participants to hone communication and leadership skills. Sainadh Gupta emphasised the role of Toastmasters clubs in supporting youth from diverse backgrounds. With thousands of members across college, corporate, and community clubs, Jubilance 2025 fosters personal and professional growth across the region.
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Toastmasters gain insight into Sarawak's legislative process in visit to DUN
Ho (fifth left) and the Toastmasters International District 87 delegation in a group photo with Dr Sim (fourth left) and Kho (left). KUCHING (May 28): A group from the Toastmasters International District 87 club gained firsthand insight into the state's legislative process and the role of public institutions in nation-building during a visit to the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex on Tuesday. According to a statement, the visit was made possible through a special invitation by a political secretary to the Premier, Kho Teck Wan, who shared an overview of the DUN's history, structure and significance. She also explained the state's decision-making process, which sparked meaningful discussion among the attendees. A key highlight of the visit was a dialogue session with Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who shared his perspective on the responsibilities of elected representatives and the far-reaching impact of the laws passed. 'Laws passed here are not merely procedures – they shape development, safeguard our future, and reflect the aspirations of all Sarawakians,' he said. Division D director Dr Lucy Ho Jia Yiing described the visit as inspiring. 'We are grateful for this opportunity. It was more than just a visit – it was a reminder that public speaking is not just about confidence, but also purpose, civic awareness, and the courage to engage with systems that shape our society,' she said. Toastmaster Chua Wei Ling of Azam Toastmasters Club said the visit helped her reconnect with her heritage. 'As an 'Anak Sarawak' returning from overseas, this visit helped me reconnect deeply with my roots. It reminded me that we, as Toastmasters, are not just speakers – we are empowered citizens who can carry the Sarawak spirit forward through leadership, service, and storytelling,' she said. The visit reinforced the importance of civic education, youth involvement, and people-oriented leadership, leaving members inspired to contribute with purpose. Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organisation dedicated to empowering individuals through communication and leadership training.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Meet Luisa Montalvo, the World Champion for Public Speaking 2024
In 2013, Luisa Montalvo says she remembers walking into a Toastmasters meeting in South Texas having seen a flyer put up on the door of a library. 'Everyone there immediately introduced themselves. It was very inviting, and an automatic warm feeling,' she recalled. While she had briefly been a part of a Toastmasters Club for a few years from 1989 at her workplace, the club wound up, and she did not join another club until 2013. 'I realised I should have gone looking for a club then, but once I walked into the library meeting, I knew I should be a part of this again,' she said. Recognised as the World Champion for Public Speaking by Toastmasters International in 2024, Luisa was in Chennai over the weekend to be a part of Toastmasters International District 120's annual conference Discover 2025. Comprising over 4,000 members from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, District 120 spans 175 community, corporate, and college clubs. The people in Chennai, Luisa said, were warm and receptive. 'What Toastmasters often winds up being without you noticing is that you become part of a family. You can go anywhere in the world and meet people, and when you come back the next year, all of you once again catch up and bond,' she said. Stating that the beauty of Toastmasters is how supportive they are as a group, Luisa said that they do not believe in shame, guilt, or embarrassment and instead, thrive in a positive environment. 'The reason most people join is to become a better public speaker and the best way to do that is to be able to practice in front of an audience and get constructive feedback. This is done in the Toastmaster club meetings, where the evaluators tell you about what you did great and where you can improve,' she said. 'While many people do think they will become a good public speaker and then leave, they never do. They end up becoming so much more,' she added. At the conference, several young members took up the stage, to participate in the finale of the district championships speaking contests in different formats. Luisa too emphasised on the positive impact this would have on youngsters, enabling them to build confidence and leadership roles. 'When you go job hunting with Toastmasters on your resume, it sets you apart since it tells the employer you are looking to improve yourself, she says. 'Whether you are a teacher looking to improve your confidence, or someone who wants to do presentations better at work, this will help any kind of fear with regard to public speaking,' she adds. The Hindu was the print media partner for this event
Forbes
22-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
3 Surprising Habits Of The World's Greatest TED Speakers
The road to public-speaking success on a TED stage is paved with small steps and deliberate practice. When you watch a speaker whose TED Talk has attracted millions of views, it's easy to think the person is a 'natural.' In most cases, the opposite is true. Great speakers make it look effortless because they put a lot of effort into making it great. When I interview TED speakers, especially those who are sought-after business speakers, they acknowledge that their confidence on the big stage came after years of practice on smaller stages. For example, famed astronaut Chris Hadfield gave a TED Talk about 'going blind in space' that attracted tens of millions of views. During a spacewalk, a chemical in his suit forced his eyes shut. Hadfield remained completely calm, discovered the source of the problem, and fixed it. When I asked Hadfield during an interview how he developed extreme confidence on stage, he said mastering public speaking wasn't all that different from learning any other skill—including a spacewalk. It takes time and practice…in small steps. Hadfield reminded me that, as one of the few Canadian astronauts, he was popular on the speaking circuit and had accepted speaking invitations for decades. He honed his craft in lower-pressure situations, from classrooms to business luncheons. The same strategy applies to high-stakes and high-pressure speaking opportunities such as giving a TED talk or delivering a presentation to attract investors or customers. Small steps yield big results. Susan Cain, the bestselling author of Quiet, told me in an interview that public speaking did not come naturally to her. In fact, she was terrified of public speaking for much of her career. Before Cain gave an 18-minute talk on 'The Power of Introverts,' one of the most popular TED Talks of all time, she had spent more than a decade as a lawyer and consultant. During the seven years between the time she started researching her book and appearing on TED, she attended Toastmasters meetings and spoke in front of small groups. 'The way to overcome any fear, but particularly public speaking, is to expose yourself to the fear in very small doses,' Cain told me. 'You can't start out by giving TED Talks. If you're a nervous speaker, your brain is acting like you're staring down a saber-toothed tiger. You need to get enough successful experiences in small bites that you retrain your brain, so it sees the stage as more like a daffodil than a tiger.' Cain still finds it remarkable that she doesn't dread public speaking anymore. In fact, she finds it 'enjoyable.' It might be hard to imagine now, but you can enjoy public speaking, too. The secret is taking tiny, consistent steps to build your confidence. Dr. Jill Bolte-Taylor, a Harvard-trained neuroscientist, once told me she rehearsed her TED Talk more than 200 times. 'My Stroke of Insight' has been viewed more than thirty million times, making it one of the most-watched TED Talks ever. Now, you certainly don't need to practice a presentation hundreds of times. I often find that rehearsing a presentation from start to finish at least ten times prepares me to perform my best. But Dr. Jill's experience reinforces the lesson that speakers who look effortless have put in many more reps than you might think. Great speakers don't just practice more than the average person. They practice deliberately by simulating real-world conditions. For example, if your next presentation requires that you stand up in front of a group with a PowerPoint presentation on display behind you, then rehearse like it's the real thing. Don't simply flip through the slides silently to yourself. Instead, stand up, put a clicker in your hand, and speak out loud. If you mess up or forget to make a point, keep going to the end because, in the real setting, you're not going to start over. The more times you can make yourself feel just a little uncomfortable—adding a slight bit of stress to your rehearsals—the more your confidence will grow. When showtime comes along, you'll be ready for it. Public speaking sparks fear in most people because it's a by-product of our evolutionary heritage. It triggers the fight-or-flight response, which makes your palms sweat and your heart beat faster. As Susan Cain said, there's only one proven solution: train your brain to see the audience as a daffodil, not a tiger.
Associated Press
22-05-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Marquis Who's Who Honors Ron Mixer for Lifelong Dedication to Ministry
UNIONDALE, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 21, 2025 / Marquis Who's Who honors Ron Mixer for his lifelong dedication to ministry. As the director of District 16, Toastmasters International, Mr. Mixer received the organization's highest recognition in 2024, with the Distinguished Toastmaster Award. The award marks a significant milestone in his decades-long service, leadership and ministry journey. A Life Called to Ministry Mr. Mixer's ministerial path began at a youth camp. 'I was 16 years old when I knew I had been called into ministry,' he says. However, he initially resisted this calling. 'This isn't for me. I don't want to do this,' he says. Although he did everything he could to escape the call, he realized he couldn't ignore the conviction tugging at his heart. It was a moment of clarity. This insight led Mr. Mixer to Bible college, ordination and a lifetime of spiritual leadership. In 1983, he earned a Master of Ministry in pastoral studies from International Seminary and served as the founding pastor of Triumphant Life Church in Minnesota. Author and Mentor with a Purpose Mr. Mixer also prompts others to think differently about faith. One way he does this is by challenging misinterpretations of Scripture through his writing. His book, " Disturbed Thinking: One Hundred Forty-Two Musings on the Bible,' has sparked thoughtful conversation. What is the motivation behind the title? A desire to stir the pot. The second volume is now 75% complete. In addition to writing books, Mr. Mixer has penned a novel under the pseudonym George C. MacGillacutty. In another capacity, he assists Christian authors in publishing their books. 'I do the technical side of getting these books on Amazon and other places,' he says. These efforts empower first-time writers to share their messages with a broader audience. Leadership with Toastmasters International As the director of District 16 of Toastmasters International, Mr. Mixer's influence now stretches across Oklahoma and beyond. Currently, he trains speakers to enhance vocal modulation skills. 'When you're giving speeches, you must have something that will draw people in,' he says. 'Otherwise, you're just another voice drowning in the wilderness.' In his previous role as program quality director, Mr. Mixer emphasized club excellence and oversaw district training efforts. He also mentors protégés in Moscow and Warsaw through the Toastmasters Odyssey Mentoring program. His work culminated in accolades, including the Toastmasters International District Program Quality Award in 2024 from Toastmasters International and the District Director's Award in 2023. Long Career in Ministry and Business Before Toastmasters, Mr. Mixer owned and operated Ron Mixer Computer Repair for nearly three decades. From 1994 to 2022, he specialized in troubleshooting hardware and software. Between 1988 and 2000, he worked as a representative and then associate director with the American Bible Society. Mr. Mixer is repositioning his book, 'Fruitful Living: A Study of the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5.' The aim is to better serve his business clients. Additionally, he has plans to offer seminars for corporate audiences. No matter the format, the goal remains to encourage people to think critically, act purposefully and remain grounded in faith. A Voice of Impact Throughout his life, perseverance has remained a defining quality. Mr. Mixer has undergone 37 surgeries, an experience that inspired his upcoming book, 'Perseverance.' Other forthcoming publications include 'Nine Principles for a Fruitful Career' and 'Gather That Harvest.' The recognition from Toastmasters reflects more than a list of accolades. It acknowledges a man who continues to ask hard questions and encourages others to do the same. 'What are you going to do that will impact tomorrow?' Mr. Mixer asks. For him, that question isn't rhetorical - it's a lifelong mission. About Marquis Who's Who®: Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms worldwide. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, Marquis Who's Who Uniondale, NY (844) 394 - 6946 [email protected] SOURCE: Marquis Who's Who press release
