[Type here] [Type here] Alpha Mail Quarter 4 2018/19 Page 1 of 5

Alpha Toastmasters Club Meets every Monday night at 6:00 pm (for a 6:15 start) Alder Park Sports Club 132 Bridges Road New Lambton NSW

A Message from our President Elect I am honoured to serve as President of Alpha Toastmasters Club for the 2019-2020 year. This will be my third time as President in the 25 years that Alpha has been operating. Alpha has new challenges ahead when Pathways is the only educational program available to all members. Members that were in the Club prior to last year have had the

opportunity to complete the old education system. Alpha has seen many members achieve their goals throughout the 25 years and this will continue in my term as President. My main goal for my term as President is to encourage all members to achieve their educational communication and leadership goals. To this end we will continue to provide educationals in the Club on accessing pathways and how to choose the correct pathway for each member. I am looking forward to celebrating Alpha’s 25th anniversary meeting and social lunch and barefoot bowls where past members will be invited to attend. This will enable current and past members to share their experiences in achieving their goals. I am fortunate to have a very strong executive of Tom Wilde (Vice President Education), Jacqueline Greenham (Vice President Membership), Barry Finlay (Vice President Public Relations), Fiona Bogaerts (Secretary), Rita Davis (Treasurer) and Janelle Crawley (Sergeant at Arms) to assist me in achieving all education and membership goals for the club for Alpha to become Presidents Distinguished Club. I believe Alpha to be a strong Club and I will continue to support our extremely talented and highly motivated members to achieve their goals. Annette Roberts President elect 2019-2020

The Alpha Mail The Alpha Toastmasters Club Newsletter

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Meet a Member

Tom Wilde What do you do for work? I retired in 2012 after 41 years with Newcastle Buses and I can happily say that these are “the good old days”. I now spend my time doing things I love, like travel, doing on-line courses, gardening, photography, car club activities and of course, Toastmasters.

What is your greatest strength? My organisational skills. I always make notes, lists and spreadsheets, and tick things off as they are achieved. Like everyone else, I do get slack and procrastinate but I just reset my goals and reignite my enthusiasm. I agree with Ralph Waldo Emerson who once said, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”

What is the best thing about being a Toastmaster? I have completed many motivational and New Age courses but I have to say that Toastmasters has been the most practical course in developing my confidence, communication, leadership and social skills. This is all due to the positive feedback that we receive through the evaluations.

Why do you continue to attend Toastmasters after so long? I have been a Toastmaster for 28 years and still enjoy the camaraderie and the fun environment that helps me to continually improve and maintain my confidence and skills. As one of my Mentors remarked after I completed a term as Area Governor, “Tom, when you first joined Toastmasters you were like rough diamond, now you are becoming an accomplished communicator.” What would you say to anyone who would like to improve their confidence in public speaking?

Every Toastmaster I know wishes that they had joined Toastmasters earlier in their career. I have witnessed many members achieve promotions at work, or develop their confidence to fulfil so life-long dream through the supportive environment that Toastmasters provides. The goal of many motivational course is self-actualisation; Toastmasters is where that actually happens.

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2019 Highlights

Club Activities Executive for 2019/20 Elected 6 May 2019 Elections were held at the club on 6 May for the new executive. Executive members are Annette Roberts (President), Tom Wilde (Vice President Education), Jacqueline Greenham (Vice President Membership), Barry Finlay (Vice President Public Relations), Fiona Boegarts (Secretary), Rita Davis (Treasurer) and Janelle Crawley (Sergeant at Arms)

Christmas in July Sunday 28 July 2019 Christmas in July will be celebrated this year on 28 July. As the club will be twenty-five years old on 24 June 2019, this impressive milestone will also be celebrated on the Christmas in July night. Look at what members will receive for the celebration.

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Awards

Toastmasters 30 Year Award Monday 27 May 2019 Our President-elect, Annette Roberts, received an award for 30 years membership of Toastmasters.

Competent Leadership Award Monday 20 May 2019 Barry Finlay was presented with his Competent Leader award on Monday night 20 May.

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Public Speaking Course Sign up now! Speechcraft costs only $99 for the six week program.

Speechcraft Is fear in the way of your success? Are you afraid to stand up and speak your mind? If you are, you are not alone. According to The Book of Lists, speaking in public is the number one fear held by most people. But you can conquer that fear, painlessly and enjoyably. There are two of ways you can do this with Toastmasters.

1. Join your local Toastmasters Club. As one of the most successful clubs in Australia, Alpha Toastmasters can help you on your journey to improved speaking and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. We meet on Monday nights at the Alder park Bowling Club and visitors and those keen to begin their journey are welcome.

2. Enrol in the Toastmasters Speechcraft Course. Speechcraft is an intensive six-week program designed to develop your public speaking skills. Experienced toastmasters present the fundamentals of public speaking in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere. In six short sessions, you will improve your confidence, and your speaking and leadership skills. The next course will be conducted on Thursday nights at Glendale commencing Thursday 1 August 2019 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm.

Details at http://alphatoastmasters.org.au/public-speaking-course/