Glen Abbey Toastmasters Club Member Keith Rabey recently achieved a big Toastmasters milestone – his Distinguished Toastmaster designation.
What is a Distinguished Toastmaster?
The Distinguished Toastmaster is the highest award Toastmasters bestows. The DTM recognizes a high level of achievement in both the communication and leadership tracks in the Toastmasters education program. To be eligible for the award, you must have completed / earned the following (links take you to details at Toastmasters International):
Communications Track
Competent Communicator
Advanced Communicator Bronze
Advanced Communicator Silver
Advanced Communicator Gold
Leadership Track
Competent Leader
Advanced Leader Bronze
Advanced Leader Silver
Keith joined Toastmasters in 2009, and over the last 6 years completed over 75 speeches at Glen Abbey, at other clubs, and at District 86 events. In addition, he held roles as the Glen Abbey Toastmasters Club VP PR, Club President, and Area Director.
Thoughts On Toastmasters
I joined Toastmasters with the goal to improve my public speaking and particularly my interviewing skills. Table Topics was instrumental in helping me achieve that goal. Over time I have become much more confident and able to stand up and deliver speeches in many situations in my personal and professional life.
One of the surprises I found with Toastmasters was the leadership component of the program. I took on leadership roles on the executive of GATM and went on to become an Area Director serving and leading 5 clubs in Mississauga.
Many individuals have helped me along the way. I would like to say Thank You to all, who have applauded when I spoke, who have provided verbal or written evaluations. Thank you to all who have encouraged me with “good job Keith!” or a friendly pat on the back. This is what Toastmasters is all about, as safe supportive environment to learn and develop.
I actively promote Toastmasters when the opportunity presents itself and encourage everyone to sign up and take advantage of this fantastic program!
A fun halloween-themed meeting was held at the GATM on November 1st, 2017. Our members were dressed up in great Halloween costumes and shared ghoulsidh stories and spook-tacular evaluations. What a fun night!
In November 2016, Flora Sun received her Competent Communicator designation. The Competent Communicator is the first speaking designation in the Toastmasters program and is achieved after creating, practicing and delivering 10 speeches with specific project goals. We asked her a few questions about her experience at Glen Abbey Toastmasters.
How long have you been a Toastmaster? I have been a Toastmaster since January, 2015.
Why did you join Toastmasters? Originally, I wanted to improve my English listening and speaking skills. With the help of Glen Abbey’s experienced club members, I improved my public speaking skills.
What have you learned from your Toastmasters journey? I learned a lot from the Toastmasters. After every speech, I received constructive feedback from my evaluator and club members. Many experienced members took a lot of time to help me improve my tone and gestures and encouraged me to continue to practice my public speaking skills.
What surprised you about Toastmasters? How really encouraging the environment is. After my first speech, I was waiting for the criticizing feedback, but instead – the evaluator was really encouraging and pointed out my strong points while gently and kindly mentioning areas that could be improved. This helped me a lot to continue to practice.
What do you like most about our club? The really friendly encouraging environment. Many club members are not only excellent public speakers, but also the humorous performers.
Glen Abbey Toastmasters Club Member Reema Duggal recently achieved a big milestone: the Distinguished Toastmaster designation.
What is a Distinguished Toastmaster?
The Distinguished Toastmaster is the highest award Toastmasters bestows. The DTM recognizes a high level of achievement in both the communication and leadership tracks in the Toastmasters education program. To be eligible for the award, you must have completed / earned the following:
Communications Track
Competent Communicator
Advanced Communicator Bronze
Advanced Communicator Silver
Advanced Communicator Gold
Leadership Track
Competent Leader
Advanced Leader Bronze
Advanced Leader Silver
Achievements
Reema joined Toastmasters in 2010, and over the last 6 years:
Completed over 75 speeches at Glen Abbey, at other clubs, and at District 86 events
Held the roles of:
Glen Abbey Toastmasters Club Vice President Public Relations
Glen Abbey Toastmasters Club President
Toastmasters District 86 Area 35 Governor
She also led the Toastmasters District 86 Member Communications and Engagement Committee, and received the District 86 Legacy Award for her vision and foundational work in designing the District 86 communication strategy / channel.
Thoughts On Toastmasters
Reema says “Toastmasters is one of the best things I have ever done. The program is exceptional and the peer2peer format creates a very supportive and positive environment for everyone to become better at public speaking and leadership. I encourage everyone to come to a meeting to see what it’s all about.”
Next Steps? “I’m thinking about what I have to do to become an Accredited Speaker, but that will take another few years. I’m in no rush. In the meantime, I hope to be able to mentor new club members and help the club celebrate our 25th Anniversary in 2017.”
2024 Update
Reema left Toastmasters for a few years, but returned in 2022. I missed the opportunity to speak and get feedback. So I am here again – and I started the Toastmasters Program from the beginning. The curriculum is new – it’s now called Pathways. But more importantly, I missed the mentoring of new speakers as they embark on their journey.
At Glen Abbey Toastmasters, people with similar communication and leadership goals and interests come together to support, guide and encourage each other. We are a welcoming, diverse community where you can make connections with friends and mentors.
With 2017 as the 25th anniversary of our founding, the club’s continued success has been the result of the contributions of talented and dedicated members and the energy and leadership of executive committee members through the years.
I’m very excited and honoured to be President for 2016/2017 year. I invite you to explore what we to offer you through our website and discover what sets us apart from other Toastmaster clubs. Want to experience one of our meetings for yourself?
Glen Abbey Toastmasters recently held Club Elections for the 2016/2017 season. Congratulations to the following members who ran for election and will be leading our club next year:
President – Wendy Rintoul
Vice-President Education – Rose Ford
Vice-President Membership – Tariqul Islam / Liz Akey
Vice-President Public Relations – Sushila Pereira / Beverly Roberts
Congratualations to Toastmaster Reema Duggal on achieving her Advanced Communicator Silver award.
The Advanced Communicator Silver is the second highest award in the Advanced Communication Series and requires the Toastmaster to complete the Competent Communicator manual, as well as four other advanced communication manuals.
It is truly a difficult and long path that Reema Duggal has travelled!
Cheers to new Toastmaster Nicole Wong as she delivered her first speech and began her journey towards Competent Communicator. Wish you the best of luck and hope you enjoy your journey.
Congratulations to Toastmaster Roberto Fazio as he deliveried his tenth speech and achieved Competent Communicator. Cheering you on as you work towards the next level of certification: Advanced Communicator Bronze.
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!
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.
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!
Wendy Rintoul
