Sail Into the Future at the ...

Toastmasters International
District 53 • Fall 2006 Conference

At the District 53 Fall Conference we are offering a host of excellent presenters, each session is guaranteed to unlock your true and full potential.  Come and see some of the most dynamic, creative and inspiring presenters our district has to offer! 
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Want your own printable copy of the Educational Session Abstracts and Bios? If yes, click here. [ Word.doc ] [ Acrobat.pdf ]

Title: "Lessons Of The Lava Fields: An Inspirational Look At Goal Setting vs Goal Achievement."
Three-time Hawaii Ironman Triathlon Finisher Doug "Clydesdale" Comstock will share the humbling and humorous stories he gained in the area of Goal Achievement as a nun, senior citizen and man with only one leg beat him to the Ironman finish line. This session will focus on teaching the “Four Progressive Keys” that we each need to employ in order to overcome monumental challenges on our journey to achieve any goal. Arrive with a goal and a timeline and leave with a proven model to achieve that goal. Come join the fun!

Bio: Doug Comstock is a three-time runner-up at the Regional Competition at the Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking. Despite his best efforts the world stage has eluded him. Doug is a former Alaska commercial fisherman, three time finisher of the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon and represented the United States as a Touring Third Degree Black Belt while competing in the former Soviet Union. He is an entrepreneur and has been self-employed for the previous twenty-five years. Among his greatest accomplishments is staying married for almost eleven years to his beautiful wife Mary and fathering three wonderful daughters.

Title: "How People Change: From Research to Proposed Applications for Toastmasters"
How can Toastmasters motivate and attract members?  One way is to understand how people progress through predictable Stages of Change over time – and how to tailor information based on the person’s readiness for change.  This session reviews a research-based theory of behavioral change called The Transtheoretical Model (TTM).  Suggestions on how to apply the TTM within Toastmasters are presented.

Bio: Lisa M. Frantsve-Little, ATM-S is the President of Nutmeg Toastmasters #764 in Woodbridge, CT.  She first joined a Virginia Toastmasters Club in 1996 and has since remained an active Toastmaster.  She holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Behavioral Medicine and Health Psychology.  Her career includes teaching and research as well as health-related behavioral assessment and interventions.

Title: "Ms. Principal’s Club 101: The ABC’s of Starting a New Club"

This presentation will highlight the benefits of starting a Toastmasters club to potential leaders as well as the step-by-step procedure to start a corporate or community Toastmaster club.  The session will be conducted by a costumed character, Ms. Gertrude Principal, an old-maid school marm created by the presenter.  Note that the required paperwork will NOT be addressed specifically; the session is geared towards putting emphasis on the benefits of starting a club – a "what’s in it for me?" scenario.

Bio: Nancy uses an easy conversational speaking style laced with enthusiasm, which motivates and inspires her audience to unlock their full potential.   She likes people and wants to help them be the best that they can be. A Chattanooga native and a retiree after 34+ years of service with UnumProvident, Nancy’s organizational and management skills are finely honed. Nancy has been a member of Toastmasters International since 1990 when she joined the organization to improve her presentation and speaking skills.  She joined Toastmasters for her own self improvement, but it didn’t take her long to realize that the most rewarding part of Toastmasters is sharing her knowledge of public speaking with others and watching them “bloom”. She is a member of Lancaster Red Rose Toastmasters, Club #1723 in Lancaster, PA.

Title: "Mapping Your Next Speech"
In this presentation, participants will learn how to plan and deliver their next speech using non-linear techniques incorporating lines, symbols and color.  A brief overview of right/left brain functioning will help participants to get the most potential from their speech ideas, and to easily organize ideas, information and details.  Attendees will create a map for their next speech topic.  This session promises to be highly interactive, organic and fun.

Bio: Melinda Burns is the president of the Lunchtime Club in Colonie, NY.  She is the Director of Adult Education at Wildwood Programs, serving individuals with developmental disabilities.  In her spare time, Melinda conducts a local Speaker’s Bureau outside of her club.  She has previously taught a full year course entitled “Mapping the Mind”, based on the non-linear techniques presented in her session. 

Title: "Presenting to non-Americans"

Global communications is improving every day.  With the internet and the world wide web it is possible for businesses to have a global reach. Many businesses use English as their working language. But it is not enough to speak English. This session explores how to speak to non-Americans and offers three rules for effective global communications. Join the session and become part of the global team.

Bio: Mark Lacatena has 20+ years of success in Information Systems, including tenure with HMOs, pharmaceutical, and financial services companies. He has 10 years experience participating in and leading global teams. He has presented on various topics at multiple industry conferences since 1999. Mark is a member of Eagle Toastmasters in Wallingford, CT.

Title: "Panel Discussion: De-mystifying the Leadership Track"
Our panel of experienced Toastmasters will address the new education curriculum with the goal fully explaining new paths and options for leadership development.  We’ll also cover changes to education and leadership award titles and how they apply to all members.  To get the most from your Toastmasters experience, be sure to attend this informative session.

Bio: Will is the District 53 Lt. Governor of Education and Training, and has been a Toastmaster for over 20 years.  He has previously served as Area E1 Governor, Division E Governor and District 53 Lt. Governor of Marketing.  Will has 25 years of corporate experience with companies such as IBM, CBS and American Express, and formed his own consulting firm in 1992.  He is currently teaching a for-credit Public Speaking course at Berkshire Community College.

Title: "Your Innovation Style: Understanding How You
Recreate Yourself"

Do you feel that things around you are changing rapidly? You are not alone. Change is happening at a faster pace than ever before. Innovations that would have taken decades to be accepted are obsolete in months. The ability to innovate is becoming critically important in the workplace, the community and the home. Innovation and creativity are not just for the artist community anymore. It’s for you. Understanding your style of innovation will help you see the patterns and the possibilities that you didn’t see before.

Bio: Jerry Aiyathurai is a management consultant, speaker and executive coach. For over a dozen years he has consulted to leaders, managers and employees of Fortune 1000 companies … helping them to improve their management practices. While he was comfortable speaking from the stage, he realized he wanted to become a better speaker, so he joined Toastmasters.  Jerry was a finalist in the 2005 World Championship of Public Speaking. Jerry believes the emerging science of innovation to be one of the most promising areas of thought for this young century. He is currently authoring a book to help organizations and their employees to develop their innovation potential.

Title: "POWERFUL Powerpoint"

Learn powerful PowerPoint techniques to enhance a message. When used properly, PowerPoint is an effective tool that increases connectivity with your audience, reinforces your message, and makes your message clear. New to PowerPoint? PowerPoint is a simple and user-friendly tool that all speakers should have as part of their capability. This session offers methods of using PowerPoint in a manner that enhances the speaker’s message rather than be a distraction. The basics will be discussed as well as a few easy advanced techniques that add POW to a presentation. We will include how to avoid the pitfalls and problems of PowerPoint and stress that "your speech comes first."

Bio: Croix Sather has been a Toastmaster since May 2005.  He is a Competent Communicator (CC) and is moving toward Advance Communicator Bronze. Croix placed as 2nd runner up in the Spring 2006 Tall Tales Contest and he is the VP of Education for the West-Conn Toastmasters Club of Dannbury, CT. In addition he holds a [human] Communication degree from Western Connecticut University. Croix is a serial entrepreneur working on various projects at any one time. He is an author (in queue for printing), real estate investor, and is currently creating a website for the stay-at-home-dad community.

Title: "Panel Discussion: Marketing & Membership Building"
This panel discussion will focus on increasing your club membership to build and maintain a healthy and vibrant club environment.  Various techniques and strategies for marketing your club and attracting new prospects will be explored.  Methods will be presented for developing a prospect to a full (and active) member. Strategies for membership retention will also be shared and there will be time for your M&M questions.

Bio: Karin von Kaenel is the District 53 Lt Governor of Marketing.  She makes the benefits of TM membership available to greater numbers of people by developing, directing and implementing district wide marketing objectives for membership and club growth. The Panel Members are advanced Toastmasters who have experience in marketing or have excelled at building/rebuilding clubs.