This is what Toastmaster Ross Cree, winner of the 2015 Club Humorous Speech Contest and runner up at the 2015 Area B-35 Humorous Speech Contest has to say about his Toastmasters experience:
“Just wanted to share my experience competing in the Humorous Contest 2015 at our club and area levels. I have to say that if you asked me when I joined GATM in 2013 that I would actually be competing in any speaking contest, I would say that you were crazy. Through the Toastmasters program and the support of a great club like GATM I had soon mustered enough confidence to sign on to compete. It was quite a surprise to myself to place first at the club level and second at the area level. I could not have done it without the encouragement and coaching of the members at this club!”
from left to right: Roberto Fazio, Ross Cree, Marika Carter, Len Liscio, and Wendy Rintoul
Huge accomplishments and congratulations to these 5 dedicated Toastmasters as they all recently completed 6 speeches from the Competent Communicator manual.
As Toastmasters that have completed 6 speeches, they are presented with a Certificate of Merit to commemorate their feat. In addition, they are now eligible to compete in the Toastmasters International Speech Contest. Congratulation Toastmasters and keep up the great work!
Five brave contestants battled it out at the annual Mary Heary Tall Tales Competition on Wednesday May 13, 2015. They regaled us with fantastic tales that had two things in common – ridiculous stories and lots of laughter.
Congratulations to our winner Tony Corrie who will be representing the Club at the Area contest on May 28. Thank you also to our wonderful co-Chairs Norkys Crespo and Roberto Fazio who did a great job of directing proceedings smoothly and with flair!
Hibachi Seafood and Steakhouse Restaurant at 105 Cross Street is the venue for the Glen Abbey Toastmasters 23rd Charter Party. The formalities start at 7.00 sharp (so aim to be there for 6.45!) and it promises to be a fun filled evening full of laughter, great food and great company. What will be getting up to I hear you ask? Plenty. Our current President will be welcoming everyone to the Party at the start of a packed evening. We will have the chance to welcome and pay tribute to Presidents from prior years, and have entertainment based on the night’s theme, which is Summer Fun.
We will be acknowledging those who achieved education awards this year and helped maintain Glen Abbey’s distinguished club status. We will have fantastic entertianment and a prize raffle based on the summer theme and award the Toastmaster of The Year prize for the Toastmaster who has contributed most to the huge success Glen Abbey Toastmasters has enjoyed this year.
The order of events is as follows:
7:00pm – Welcome Toastmasters and Guests – Jocelyn Millar
7:25pm – Acknowledgement of Outgoing Executive – Srini Kesavan
7:35pm – Introduction of Incoming Executive – Chris Roode
7:45pm – Toastmaster of the year – Presented by Srini Kesavan
7:50 – Dinner
8:45pm – Games & Entertainment – Srini Kesavan, Marika Carter
9:10pm – Summer Fun Raffle – Jocelyn Millar, Paul Dubal
9:15 – Music & Mingle
A spectacular dinner will be followed by a sumptuous dessert and tea so bring your appetite! Don’t worry you can work off those calories on the dance floor after the formal proceedings have finished.
Get Your Tickets Today
Tickets are available from Marika Carter and Atilla Coban at the next few meetings. Remember to give your food order when you purchase tickets. Members are only $25 and non-members $30, which represents great value, so bring your partners and friends. The more the merrier! See you there!
We had a fabulous 22nd Anniversary Charter Party at O’Finns Irish Temper in Oakville
The theme for the night was Great Celebrations in celebration of another great Toastmasters year. We welcomed Presidents from prior years, and had a toast and table topics based on the night’s theme.
We acknowledged those who achieved education awards this year and helped maintain Glen Abbey’s distinguished club status. We had a guest speaker and awarded the Toastmaster of The Year prize for the Toastmaster who has contributed most to the huge success Glen Abbey Toastmasters has enjoyed this year.
A spectacular dinner was followed by a special celebration cake so bring your appetite! And then we worked off those calories on the dance floor afterwards.
In 2011 I arrived in Oakville, Ontario as a new immigrant. Originally from Venezuela, English was my third language after Spanish and French.
I decided to intensify my learning of the English language through a focused university program. Even though I finished the English program with great marks, I thought something was missing for me. I felt a lack of communication skill and was almost afraid to talk to others. As a Pharmaceutical Product Manager, I needed to change that.
One day someone mentioned Toastmaster’s and I decided to investigate. I’m really glad I did, and really glad I joined Glen Abbey Toastmasters in September 2012.
I thought the motivation for people to join Toastmasters was to become better public speakers and communicators by achieving their Competent Communicator designation at the end of 10 speeches. What surprised me was how many people focus on mastering public speaking and taking leadership roles – essentials skills for dealing with people anywhere. I learn a lot from people in our club that have been Toastmasters for over 10 years.
I’m also very happy that the club experience ties closely with my expectations and goals. Since joining Toastmasters, my communication and public speaking skills have improved considerably. It’s also changed my life for the better. At GATM I have found a very supportive environment and a friendly atmosphere. I have met very interesting people. I get powerful feedback each time I deliver a speech or take on a role. I get to take on leadership roles – this past year I was on the Club Executive as Club Secretary. I have a great time at every meeting.
The following documents are used at weekly meetings and need to be printed. When you click on them, they will download automatically (probably to your downloads folder). You can either print at home or take to a printer. We have been using UPS at Upper Middle / Third Line or UPS at Upper Middle / 8th Line. But there is no contract with them – so any printer can work.
GATM Door Signs This is a MS Word file and has two door signs on one page. It should be printed on regular photocopy paper and laminated (although we keep losing laminated versions). Perhaps magnetic signs would work better?
GATM Table Cards This is a MS PowerPoint file – with tablecard layout and names. It should be printed on heavy weight white card stock
GATM Evaluation Forms This is a MS Word file – one page evaluation form with 3 evaluations on it. It should be printed on regulary photocopy paper – and perforated at cut points (however this costs more money)
GATM Weekly Winner Certificates This is a pdf file with all the 4 certificates that we normally give out – Best Speaker, Best Evaluator, Best Table Topics, Most Valuable Toastmaster. It should be printed on heavy weight white card stock. The original was done in Photoshop.
Tall Tales Speeches are 3 to 5 minutes in length. They are full of exaggerated truths and unbelievable stories. According to Westside Toastmasters, a Tall Tale should Include the following features: a character with extraordinary abilities and a specific goal; a problem that is solved in a humorous way; a careful blend of exaggerated and credible details; and a comical ending. This is an optional contest that is hosted by some Clubs and Areas – but not at the Division or District level.
Running a Tall Tales Contest is an exciting and rewarding experience. Here are the resources you need to run the contest:
GATM CONTEST MATERIALS – HOW TO RUN A CONTEST
WORKPLAN —
Developed by GATM members, the GATM Speech Contest Workplan includes the:
Developed by GATM members, the GATM Emails document includes sample emails to be sent to:
Participants – Recruiting
Contestants
Judges
Sergeant At Arms
Timers
Ballot Counters
GATM Contest Scripts —
Developed by GATM members, the GATM Tall Tales Contest Script includes the full script for the Tall Tales Contest.
GATM Agenda / Program —
Developed by GATM members, the GATM Speech Contest Agenda is the program for the night.
TMI TALL TALES SPEECH CONTEST KIT – RULES & FORMS
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Many of the resources for the contest can be found in the members area (login required) of the Toastmasters International site. The Tall Tales Contest Kit from Toastmasters International includes the following:
Table Topics are 1-2 minutes long. They are impromptu speeches given on a topic that the speaker has no prior knowledge of. The contest is held at the Club, Area, Division, and District level.
Running an Table Topics Contest is an exciting and rewarding experience. Here are the resources you need to run the contest:
GATM Contest Materials – How To Run A Contest
Workplan —
Developed by GATM members, the GATM Speech Contest Workplan includes the following:
Developed by GATM members, the GATM Emails document include sample emails to be sent to:
Participants – Recruiting
Contestants
Timers
Sergeant At Arms
Judges
Ballot Counters
GATM Contest Scripts —
The GATM Table Topics Contest Script includes the:
Contest Chair and Chief Judge’s Scripts
GATM Agenda / Program —
Developed by GATM members, the GATM Table Topics Contest Agenda is the program for the night. One program covers both the Humorous and Table Topic contests.
TMI International Speech Contest Kit – Rules and Forms
Many of the resources for the contest can be found in the members area (login required) of the Toastmasters International site. The Table Topics Contest Kit – from Toastmasters International includes the following:
Humorous Speeches are 5 to 7 minutes long. They should be thematic in nature (having an opening, body, and close), contain original content, use clean humour, and not be a monologue. The Humorous Speech Contest is held at the Club, Area, Division, and District level.
Running a Humorous Speech Contest is an exciting and rewarding experience. Here are the resources you need to run the contest:
GATM CONTEST MATERIALS – HOW TO RUN A CONTEST
WORKPLAN —
Developed by GATM members, the GATM Speech Contest Workplan includes the following:
Developed by GATM members, the GATM emails document includes sample emails to be sent to:
Participants – Recruiting
Contestants
Timers
Sergeant At Arms
Judges
Ballot Counters
GATM Contest Scripts —
The GATM Humorous Speech Contest Script includes the:
Contest Chair and Chief Judge’s Scripts
GATM Agenda / Program —
Developed by GATM members, the GATM Humorous Speech Contest Agenda is the program for the night. One program covers both the Humorous Speech and Table Topic contests.
Many of the resources for the contest can be found in the members area (login required) of the Toastmasters International site. The Humorous Speech Contest Kit from Toastmasters International includes the following:
Speech Contest Rulebooks
Speech Contestant Profile
Speakers Certification of Eligibility and Originality
Judge’s Certification of Eligibility and Code of Ethics
The Evaluation Contest is 2 to 3 minutes in length. All of the evaluation contestants must evaluate the same speech, so a test speaker from outside the club is brought in to present one speech to the entire group. The contestants are then taken from the room and given five minutes to prepare their evaluations. Then they come back into the room, and one by one, deliver their evaluations. The Evaluation Contest is held at the Club, Area, Division, and District level.
Running an Evaluation Contest is an exciting and rewarding experience. Here are the resources you need to run the contest:
GATM Evaluation Contest Kit
Workplan —
Developed by GATM members, the GATM Speech Contest Workplan includes the following:
Developed by GATM members, the GATM emails document includes sample emails to be sent to:
Participants – Recruiting
Contestants
Timers
Sergeant At Arms
Judges
Ballot Counters
GATM Contest Scripts —
Developed by GATM members, the GATM Evaluation Contest Scripts include the:
Contest Chair’s Script
Chief Judge’s Script (coming soon)
GATM Agenda / Program —
Developed by GATM members, the GATM Evaluation Contest Agendais the program for the night. One program covers both the International and Evaluation contests because they are typically held on the same night.
Many of the resources for the contest can be found in the members area (login required) of the Toastmasters International site. The Evaluation Contest Kit – from Toastmasters International includes the following:
Speech Contest Rulebooks
Speech Contestant Profile
Judge’s Certification of Eligibility and Code of Ethics
These are some of the types of skills you will learn by becoming a member of Glen Abbey Toastmasters.
Come check out a meeting. Our season will end in June, but it’s a great time to start thinking about your goals, and maybe planning for a September start!
The following list provides a brief description of each of the club officer roles. Elections are held in May each year, and all roles are elected for a one year term. A more complete description can be found by downloading the Club Leadership Handbook from Toastmasters International.
President
As the club’s CEO, managing director, cheerleader and coach you provide helpful and supportive leadership for all of the club’s activities and creating a nurturing learning environment.
Work with all of the clubs leaders to achieve success in the Distinguished Club Program by encouraging educational achievements, building and maintaining membership, attending club officer training, and submitting dues, officer lists and other documents on time.
Serve as the club’s representative at the area, district and international levels. Liaise with the Area Governor and other Area Club Presidents towards mutual success.
Provide leadership and guidance for the club whenever it`s required.
Full role description is here from handbook – start on page 23
Time Commitment: 3-4 hours per week
Vice President Education
Plan club meetings, complete schedules and assignments at least three weeks in advance
Get commitment from club members to achieve their:
Competent Communicator
Advance Communicator Awards
Competent Leadership Award
Advance Leadership Awards.
Promote and help members in Club contests.
Initial member’s Project Completion Records and ensure eligible members fill out their award applications and submit them to Toastmasters International.
Full role description is here from handbook – start on page 26
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per week
Vice President Membership
The VP Membership is the club’s recruiter and manages the process of bringing in guests and transforming those guests into members.
Initiate contact with guests, making them feel welcome and provide them with a Guest Package as well as the follow-up information they need to join.
Monitor membership levels and strategize with the executive committee about how to overcome any membership challenges should they occur.
Encourage membership retention and growth in the club.
Collect membership applications, along with dues/fees, and put forward the motion for voting at club business sessions. Give member dues/fees to Treasurer.
Register members with Toastmasters International.
Update club membership distribution list and print name tent cards.
Participate in Club Membership Building Programs; Beat the Clock, Smedley Award, Talk Up Toastmasters and Distinguished Club Programs.
Full role description is here from handbook – start on page 28
Time Commitment: 1 to 2 hours on average per week
Vice President Public Relations
The VP PR is responsible for developing and directing publicity programs that inform individual members and the general public about Glen Abbey Toastmasters and Toastmasters International.
Manage GATM info on website – events, blog, photos, achievements, membership info
Manage social media accounts
Create and maintain links to the outside world for GATM – local media, other clubs, community
Work closely with President and VP Membership to create marketing materials for new and existing members
Manage Toastmasters International and GATM brand – make sure all printed and online materials follow standards
Full role description is here from handbook – start on bottom of page 30
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per week for September / October, then 1-2 hours per week for rest of year – not counting special events that you may decide to take a lead role in.
Secretary
Maintain accurate membership roster and work with treasurer when submitting dues.
Mail and/or update the Toastmasters’ International with current Club Officers.
Handle general club correspondence.
Keep club files including the club charter, Constitution and Bylaws, minutes, resolutions and correspondence.
Record and read meeting minutes.
Full role description is here from handbook – start on page 34
Time Commitment: 2 hours per week at meetings
Treasurer
Prepare a budget to be approved by the executive committee and membership within a month of taking office.
Provide bank with new signature card by July 1st/January 1st.
Prepare and send membership renewal dues/statements to members by August 15th.
Collect dues and ensure submitted to world headquarters by October 1st and at each time a new member joins.
Work with VP-Membership to contact members who have not paid dues.
Keep records of all financial transactions and provide reports to executive.
Make timely deposits of funds received and payments for rent and approved expenses.
Full role description is here from handbook – start on page 37
Time Commitment: 1 hour per week on average
Sergeant at Arms
Maintain Club equipment and keep an adequate number of supplies.
Arrange the room at least 10 minutes before the meeting starts.
Make sure the lectern is in place, evaluation forms and ballots are distribute; ensure the club banner, awards, supply catalog, progress chart and educational material are displayed.
Arrange place cards and make name badges available.
Arrange for food service at meal meetings.
Ensure the meeting starts on time
Collect ballots and tally votes for awards.
Full role description is here from handbook – start on page 42
GATM will be holding it’s Club Officer Elections for the 2021 / 2022 year on May 5, 2021
The following positions make up our Club Executive.
President
Vice-President Education
Vice-President Membership
Vice-President Public Relations
Treasurer
Sargeant At Arms
Secretary
Past President – Appointed: Bahareh Tehrani
Roles/descriptions for each of the roles above can be found in the article below.
We encourage all members to consider running for office as this:
is an excellent way to develop your leadership skills
will provide you valuable recognition in your pursuit of Advanced Leadership Awards, and
will give you the personal satisfaction of being part of a TEAM that makes this great club – Glen Abbey Toastmasters happen.
If you are interested in nominating yourself or someone else, please download this nomination form >.
The election schedule is as follows:
Nomination forms available: March 17, 2021
Nominations close (forms due): April 14, 2021
Announcement of nominees April 21, 2021
Election: May 5, 2021
Round 1 Officer Training (MANDATORY): June X, 2021 – Date TBA
Term begins: July 1, 2021
We hope you will sincerely indicate your interest in the Executive Team to manage and enhance the activities of Glen Abbey Toastmasters. Please contact me if you have any questions.
On June 23, 2012, Glen Abbey Toastmasters held its 20th Anniversary Charter Party – and what a party it was! We were happy to see so many current and past members (including 13 of Glen Abbey Toastmasters Past Presidents) join us to celebrate 20 years of successful toastmastering.
We had some great toasts, entertaining and humorous table topics, a warm hearted speech on being a Toastmaster, and then lots of dancing! From Billie Jean to Jai Ho to the Chicken Dance – we did it all. Our annual celebration was held at the Quality Suites Hotel in Oakville, and the food was outstanding including a selection of Chicken, Salmon or Roast Beef. Wine was supplied by Glen Abbey Toastmasters.
The 20th Anniversary Charter Party was a great opportunity for current members to connect with past members and to learn about the history of our club. A video presentation was prepared by Phyllis Inward which also provided great insite into our club history and successes. Our annual Charter party has become our way of celebrating our progress, our speakers, and our belief in Toastmasters. See the video here.
