#southern dutchess Toastmasters

[southerndutchesstoastmasters]

Meeting Minutes

FYI- I post all the meeting minutes each time, so you can find them easily.

Southern Dutchess Toastmasters: Minutes from 2024-2025 TM year

Meeting Minutes: September 16, 2024

Attending: Joe Maselli, Eric Schlobohm, Ulric Lestrade, Greg Johnson, Kahlil Thorpe, Janice Dimock

Online: Aman Goel, Wanda Campbell

Guests: Jing Wu (and her two sons)

This was our first time meeting at the East Fishkill Library. The room was very nice, plenty big enough with lots of tables and seating. We did experience a few technical difficulties getting the online portion of the meeting going, but eventually, we got it done. 

Joe was our Toastmaster and kept us on track once we got going. We had one speaker, Janice, who discussed healthy aging tips from the Blue Zones. 

Greg led us in Table Topics with the theme of choosing which baby animal better suits you. Due to our earlier delay, it was a short table topics session- although we did have one of our young guests, Andrew, participate.

Ulric gave a helpful evaluation and Joe stepped us to serve as general evaluator. He noted that we could use a second camera so the online participates can see both the speaker and the timer. 

Kahlil supplied our word of the day: numinous, meaning spiritual, supernatural, mysterious. The word was used 2 times during the meeting. 

Our next meeting will be on October 7th at the East Fishkill Library at 7pm. Ruth Ray will be our Toastmaster. 

Meeting Minutes: September 9, 2024

Attending: Kevin Shannon, Janice Dimock, Joe Maselli, Ulric Lestrade

Online: Ruth Ray, Wanda Campbell, Eric Schlobohm

Ulric was our Toastmaster with the theme ‘History of Labor Day’. We learned a lot about the holiday that many of us take for granted every year. 

Wanda was our wordmaster/ah counter, introducing the word transcend- to rise above, go beyond, or surpass.

We had a brief business meeting in the beginning to discuss moving our club, as our current meeting place is closing. A potential new meeting place is the East Fishkill Library- although as of now, we cannot guarantee that their meeting rooms will be available every month. 

Our speaker tonight was Joe, delivering a social speech, titled “Lifetime Achievement Award”.

Filling the role at the last minute, Ruth led us in a extended Table Topics session that everyone participated in. 

Our next meeting will be September 16th, at the East Fishkill Library at 7pm. Joe Maselli will be our Toastmaster.

Meeting Minutes: August 19, 2024

Attending: Janice Dimock, Kahlil Thorpe, Mekkat Krishnan, Devaki Krishnan, Wanda Campbell, Kevin Shannon, Greg Johnson, Ruth Ray, Ruwan Fonseka, 

Guests: Acheev Bhagat

(NOTE: I did not write down who attended this meeting- this list is from who participated, so if you were there, please let me know and I will correct the minutes)

Mekkat was our Toastmaster this evening with a fascinating theme of International Potato Day. Who knew there was such a thing! 

Kahlil once again served as our word master/ah counter, sharing the word fallacy- a deceptive or misleading belief. 

Devaki was our speaker tonight, taking on the challenging project, Managing a Difficult Audience. She did a great job delivering her speech and dealing with all the interruptions from her rambunctious audience. Kevin gave a great evaluation which pointed how she handled both the speech and the audience. 

Mekkat led us in a potato themed Table Topics session with great participation- including our guest Acheev. We learned a lot about what kinds of potato dishes people enjoy. 

Our next meeting is September 9th and Ulric will be our Toastmaster. 

Meeting Minutes: August 5, 2024

Attending: Kevin Shannon, Ruth Ray, Wanda Campbell, Ulric Lestrade, Devaki Krishnan, Kahlil Thorpe, Markly Wilson, Janice Dimock, Aman Goel (online).

Guests: Greg Johnson, Sonia David (and baby Julia), Zion Livingstone

Devaki led our meeting as Toastmaster with humor as our theme. We had some last minute roles to fill. Janice jumped in as timer and Kahlil did double duty, already signed up as a speaker and filling the role of word master/ah counter. The word of the day was lethargic, meaning sluggish and apathetic. Greg jumped in as General Evaluator at his first meeting back after a long absence and Ruth stepped up to evaluate Wanda’s speech. 

Wanda gave us an inspirational speech based on Nike’s motto- Just Do It! She managed to work the word of the day into her speech as well as the fabulous word, flabbergasted. Kahlil regaled us with his love of the “Scream” franchise of scary movies in his “What’s your favorite scary movie” speech. We learned about thrill seekers and fight or flight movie goers. 

Kevin led us in a humor themed table topic session; asking such questions as what was the funniest thing that ever happened at work and what is a funny story from childhood. Our guest, Sonia, participate as well, sharing her favorite funny show. 

Our next meeting will be August 19 and Mekkat Krishnan will be our Toastmaster.

Meeting Minutes: July 15, 2024

Attending: Joe Maselli, Eric Schlobohm, Mekkat Krishan, Devaki Krishnan, Kahlil Thorpe, Lizdely Garcia, Janice Dimock, Ruwan Fonseka, Aman Goel (online), Wanda Campbell (online)

Guests: Acheev Bhagat (online)

Lizdely Garcia led us as our Toastmaster for the evening. The theme of the meeting was dining out in the Hudson Valley and Lizdely gave us many great ideas for restaurants to check out in the area (including The Beast and Dutchess Biercafe, Cosimos, Lola’s Café, Kipp’s Tavern and McKinney & Doyle). 

We had two prepared speeches- both from the Engaging Humor Pathway. First, Devaki demonstrated the power of humor in the impromptu speech with 2 short speeches- one on 3 keys to a happy life (never compare yourself to anyone else, stay healthy and have reasonable expectations). Then Mekkat entertained us with tales of travels and tribulations when his daughter went away to college but wanted to come home frequently. 

Ruwan led us in Table Topics with his scary list of questions. They weren��t quite so bad this time. We heard about giving your life for someone else, doing the right thing, staying healthy, valuing family time, interacting with people and loving people. 

This week’s evaluators were Wanda for Devaki and Joe for Mekkat. 

Our word of the day was deference- meaning humble submission and respect.

Online Club Officer Training is ongoing on the following dates:

July 25 6-8:30pm

Aug 6- 6-8:30pm

Aug 24 9-11:30am

All officers should attend one of these sessions.

Meeting Minutes: July 1, 2024

Attending: Kevin Shannon, Joe Masselli, Janice Dimock, Wanda Campbell, Mekkat Krishnan, Ulric Lestrade, Kahlil Thorpe, Aman Goel (online)

Guests: Michael Domoulin, Kelly Anne Kilkenney

Our first meeting of the 2024-2025 Toastmasters year found us filling some roles at the last minute- including the Toastmaster. As usual, our members stepped up and we had a fabulous with meeting which included two pathways speeches. 

Kevin gave the Level 2 Mentoring speech, reminding us all that we will need to do this speech for every path we do! He also made us aware of the unseen mentors in our lives by regaling us with stories from his retirement party. Apparently, he hadn’t realized until then how many of his colleagues considered him a mentor. 

Wanda delivered a Level 3 on Negotiating the best outcome. She told us about facilitating a negotiation with difficult people. Sometimes you are dealing with unreasonable and irrational parties and you have stay calm and be patient to negotiate the best outcome. The audience could relate to dealing with an irrational party!

Kevin facilitating our Table Topics sessions using cards he found at a garage sale. He managed to find questions that brought us all down memory lane reliving our childhoods. Both guests participated in Table Topics. 

Effective evaluations were delivered by Mekkat for Kevin and Janice for Wanda.

Our word of the day was expeditious- meaning done with speed and efficiency, quick or prompt. 

Online Club Officer Training is ongoing on the following dates:

July 8- 6-8:30pm

July 16 6-8:30pm

July 20 9-11:30am

July 25 6-8:30pm

Aug 6- 6-8:30pm

Aug 24 9-11:30am

All officers should attend one of these sessions.

[toastmaster-advertising]

Ad for our upcoming grab bag meeting.

Get Ready for a Surprise at Our Next Toastmasters Meeting!

Dear Southern Dutchess Toastmasters Members,

Excitement is in the air as we approach our Grab Bag Meeting on June 17th at 7 PM! This isn’t just any meeting; it’s a chance to dive into the unknown and embrace spontaneity.

What’s a Grab Bag Meeting? Imagine arriving with no idea what the evening holds. Will you be the speaker, the timekeepers, or perhaps the Table Topics master? There’s only one way to find out—by reaching into the grab bag and letting fate decide your role!

Why You’ll Love It:

* Surprise & Variety: Every member gets a unique role, making for an unpredictable and thrilling experience.

* Preparation for the Unexpected: It encourages all of us to be ready for anything, just like in real-life scenarios.

* Skill Building: It’s a fantastic opportunity to practice and enhance different skills in a supportive environment.

Join Us:

* In-Person: Cross Court Tennis, 204 New Hackensack Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

* Virtually: Google Meet

Stay Connected:

* Instagram: @sdtoastmasters

* Facebook: SDToastMasters

* Contact Us: Here

* Learn More: About Toastmasters

* Visit: Our Website

We meet on the first and third Monday of every month at 7 PM, and this particular meeting promises to be one of our most engaging yet. So, mark your calendars, prepare a speech just in case, and get ready for a night of fun and learning.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Warm regards,

Kevin Shannon

Southern Dutchess Toastmasters

[kevinpshanblog]

One of the advertisements I created for Southern Dutchess Toastmaster.

[southerndutchesstoastmasters]

Celebrating Our Success and Looking Ahead

Dear Southern Dutchess Toastmasters,

I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. Thanks to your dedication and hard work, we achieved remarkable success during the 2023–24 Toastmaster year. 🎉

Our Achievements:

• We proudly accomplished all 10 goals in the Distinguished Club Program. 🏆

• Many of our members contributed significantly by completing educational milestones in the Pathways program. 📚

• A special shout-out to our new members who helped maintain our club membership at a level that qualified us as a distinguished club. 👏

The Next Chapter: As we step into the new Toastmasters year, let’s continue our journey of growth and excellence. Now is the perfect time to set our sights on the future:

• Our goal is to add at least four new members by the end of this year. Let’s actively recruit and welcome fresh faces to our vibrant community. 🌱

• Additionally, let’s focus on achieving all our educational objectives. Whether it’s completing projects, mastering new skills, or mentoring others, we’re in this together. If you haven’t already take a moment now to complete the annual survey that I sent out committing to the educational goals you’ll complete this year. https://forms.gle/6EgQS1DiARMMaEgs6 💪

Together, We Thrive: Thank you for being an integral part of Southern Dutchess Toastmasters. Your commitment and enthusiasm drive our success. Let’s support one another and make 2024–25 even more remarkable! 🚀

Warm regards,

Kevin Shannon

VP Education

Southern Dutchess Toastmasters

[southerndutchesstoastmasters]

Southern Dutchess Toastmasters: Meeting Minutes: July 15, 2024

Attending: Joe Maselli, Eric Schlobohm, Mekkat Krishan, Devaki Krishnan, Kahlil Thorpe, Lizdely Garcia, Janice Dimock, Ruwan Fonseka, Aman Goel (online), Wanda Campbell (online)

Guests: Acheev Bhagat (online)

Lizdely Garcia led us as our Toastmaster for the evening. The theme of the meeting was dining out in the Hudson Valley and Lizdely gave us many great ideas for restaurants to check out in the area (including The Beast and Dutchess Biercafe, Cosimos, Lola’s Café, Kipp’s Tavern and McKinney & Doyle). 

We had two prepared speeches- both from the Engaging Humor Pathway. First, Devaki demonstrated the power of humor in the impromptu speech with 2 short speeches- one on 3 keys to a happy life (never compare yourself to anyone else, stay healthy and have reasonable expectations). Then Mekkat entertained us with tales of travels and tribulations when his daughter went away to college but wanted to come home frequently. 

Ruwan led us in Table Topics with his scary list of questions. They weren’t quite so bad this time. We heard about giving your life for someone else, doing the right thing, staying healthy, valuing family time, interacting with people and loving people. 

This week’s evaluators were Wanda for Devaki and Joe for Mekkat. 

Our word of the day was deference- meaning humble submission and respect.

Online Club Officer Training is ongoing on the following dates:

July 25 6-8:30pm

Aug 6- 6-8:30pm

Aug 24 9-11:30am

All officers should attend one of these sessions.

[southerndutchesstoastmasters]

Southern Dutchess Toastmasters

Meeting Minutes: July 1, 2024

Attending: Kevin Shannon, Joe Masselli, Janice Dimock, Wanda Campbell, Mekkat Krishnan, Ulric Lestrade, Kahlil Thorpe, Aman Goel (online)

Guests: Michael Domoulin, Kelly Anne Kilkenney

Our first meeting of the 2024-2025 Toastmasters year found us filling some roles at the last minute- including the Toastmaster. As usual, our members stepped up and we had a fabulous with meeting which included two pathways speeches.

Kevin gave the Level 2 Mentoring speech, reminding us all that we will need to do this speech for every path we do! He also made us aware of the unseen mentors in our lives by regaling us with stories from his retirement party. Apparently, he hadn’t realized until then how many of his colleagues considered him a mentor.

Wanda delivered a Level 3 on Negotiating the best outcome. She told us about facilitating a negotiation with difficult people. Sometimes you are dealing with unreasonable and irrational parties and you have stay calm and be patient to negotiate the best outcome. The audience could relate to dealing with an irrational party!

Kevin facilitating our Table Topics sessions using cards he found at a garage sale. He managed to find questions that brought us all down memory lane reliving our childhoods. Both guests participated in Table Topics.

Effective evaluations were delivered by Mekkat for Kevin and Janice for Wanda.

Our word of the day was expeditious- meaning done with speed and efficiency, quick or prompt.

Online Club Officer Training is ongoing on the following dates:

July 8- 6-8:30pm

July 16 6-8:30pm

July 20 9-11:30am

July 25 6-8:30pm

Aug 6- 6-8:30pm

Aug 24 9-11:30am

All officers should attend one of these sessions.

[southerndutchesstoastmasters]

Southern Dutchess Toastmasters Newsletter - August 2024

In the past I tried to produce a semi regular online newsletter. I’m going to give it another try. If you have anything you want to contribute just send it my way.

🎉 Congratulations Kahlil! 🎉

We’re thrilled to announce that our current year President, Kahlil, has completed Level One of the Engaging Humor pathway in the Toastmasters educational program! This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to Kahlil’s dedication and hard work.

We also want to extend a warm welcome to our newest member, Sonia! With Sonia joining us, our club membership has grown to 17. Our goal this year is to end the Toastmasters year with 20 members, and we’re well on our way!

Also we need to welcome back our former member Greg who we haven’t seen since the end of the COVID days on Zoom. Great to have you back Greg and hope to see you at the next meeting.

📅 Next Meeting: August 19th

📍 Location: Cross Court Tennis, 204 New Hackensack Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

💻 Join Virtually: https://meet.google.com/fna-ovtm-dbq

Reminder: PACE Chart - Participating and Achieving Competence and Excellence

I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone about our PACE chart, which stands for Participating and Achieving Competence and Excellence. This chart is designed to encourage active participation and help us all track our progress throughout the Toastmaster year.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the points you can earn by filling various roles:

▪ Speaker: 15 points

▪ Evaluator: 10 points

▪ Toastmaster: 10 points

▪ General Evaluator: 7 points

▪ Joke Master: 5 points

▪ Table Topics Master: 3 points

▪ Timer: 2 points

▪ Ah Counter: 2 points

Our goal is for each member to reach 100 points by the end of the Toastmaster year. This system not only helps us stay engaged but also ensures that we are all working towards achieving competence and excellence in our roles. Our meeting always run smoother if all the roles are filled before meeting time. So sign up for a role now and start earning those PACE points.

Upcoming Club Officer Training

Don’t forget about the upcoming Club Officer Training sessions! These sessions are crucial for our club to achieve the Distinguished Club Program (DCP) Goal #9. Here are the remaining training dates:

▪ August 24, 2024: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Online)

▪ August 29, 2024: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Online)

All sessions are held online via Zoom. You must attend at least 75% (135 minutes) of any three-hour COT event to receive training credit. Register for any District 53 Club Officer Training event here:

https://d53tm.org/club-officer-training-schedule/

Toastmasters Magazine

Reading the monthly Toastmasters magazine offers numerous benefits for members. It provides a wealth of educational materials and resources on public speaking, leadership, and communication skills, helping you stay informed and inspired. Each issue features insightful articles, success stories, and practical tips from experienced Toastmasters, which can enhance your personal and professional growth. The magazine also keeps you updated on the latest news and events within the Toastmasters community, fostering a sense of connection and belonging. For example, the August edition includes an interesting article that explains the role of the Area Director, providing valuable insights into this important leadership position.

Don’t Forget

▪ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdtoastmasters/

▪ Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SDToastMasters/

[toastmaster-advertising]

An upcoming Summer Fun meeting and a tease for our end of year Grab Bag meeting.

Here’s the image used.

And here is the full text, generated with some AI assistance.

Subject: June 3rd Toastmasters Meeting: Summer Fun Theme and Exciting News!

Dear Southern Dutchess Toastmasters members,

We’re thrilled to announce our next meeting, scheduled for June 3rd at 7 PM. The theme for this meeting is Summer Fun, and we have some exciting news to share!

Meeting Details:

▪ Date and Time: June 3rd, 7 PM

▪ Location: Cross Court Tennis, 204 New Hackensack Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

▪ Virtual Participation: If you can’t join us in person, you can still participate virtually using the following link: Google Meet

Upcoming Grab Bag Meeting: Mark your calendars! Our popular grab bag meeting is just around the corner. Join us on June 17 for an engaging and unpredictable session where you’ll have the chance to share impromptu speeches, participate in fun activities, and connect with fellow Toastmasters.

Stay Connected:

▪ Follow us on Instagram: SDToastmasters

▪ Like our page on Facebook: SDToastMasters

Contact Us:

▪ Have questions or need more information? Reach out to us via our contact form.

Learn More About Toastmasters:

▪ If you’re new to Toastmasters or want to learn more about our club, visit our Welcome page.

Visit Our Website:

▪ Explore our website for additional resources and updates: SDToastMasters

Let’s make this meeting memorable as we gear up for the grab bag event on June 17! We look forward to seeing you there.

Best regards, [Your Name] [Club Name]

[toastmaster-advertising]

An email reminder for our November 20th meeting. Created with ChatGpt for both the copy and image.

Join us for the next Southern Dutchess Toastmasters meeting on Nov 20

Hello,

We are excited to invite you to the next meeting of Southern Dutchess Toastmasters, a friendly and supportive club where you can improve your public speaking and leadership skills.

The meeting will be held on Monday, Nov 20 at 7pm at Cross Court Tennis 204 New Hackensack Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. The meeting theme is "To Be Gracious and To Be Grateful", which is a timely reminder for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

You will have the opportunity to listen to prepared speeches, participate in impromptu speaking, and give constructive feedback to others. You will also meet new people and have fun!

You can also follow us on social media to stay updated on our latest news and events:

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdtoastmasters/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDToastMasters/

- Flipboard: http://flip.it/TtEVyU

To learn more about Toastmasters and how it can benefit you, please visit: https://bit.ly/sdtmwelcome

And don't forget to check out our website for more information about our club: https://bit.ly/SDToastMasters

We hope to see you soon at our next meeting!

Sincerely,

Southern Dutchess Toastmasters

[southerndutchesstoastmasters]

Winter is coming...and so is our next Southern Dutchess Toastmasters meeting!

Are you ready for the winter season? Do you want to warm up your public speaking skills and have some fun?

Then join us for our next toastmaster meeting on November 6th at 7pm at Cross Court Tennis. The theme for the evening is "Winter Is Coming". (Any Game of Thrones fans out there?)

Whether you are a fan of the show or not, you will find something to enjoy in this meeting. We will have prepared speeches, table topics, evaluations, and more.

You will also get to meet and network with other toastmasters and guests who share your passion for communication and leadership.

Don't miss this opportunity to improve your speaking and listening skills, learn from others, and have a great time.

Winter may be coming…but that doesn't mean you have to hibernate. Come out and join us for our next toastmaster meeting!

Southern Dutchess Toastmasters meets the first and third Monday of the month at 7pm at Cross Court Tennis 204 New Hackensack Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

FOLLOW US

INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/sdtoastmasters/

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/SDToastMasters/

FLIPBOARD - http://flip.it/TtEVyU

CONTACT US

https://bit.ly/sdtm-contact-us

MORE ABOUT TOASTMASTERS

https://bit.ly/sdtmwelcome

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

https://bit.ly/SDToastMasters

[toastmaster-advertising]

This is a recent email announcement that went out to members and prospects about our GRAB BAG meeting. Most of the text and the main image were AI Generated.

Are you ready for a fun and exciting challenge? Do you want to improve your public speaking and leadership skills in a supportive and friendly environment? If so, you don’t want to miss the next meeting of the Southern Dutchess Toastmasters!

On October 16, starting at 7pm at Cross Court Tennis in Wappingers Falls NY, we will be having a Grab Bag meeting. That means all members will need to be prepared to fill any meeting role that gets assigned to them randomly at the start of the meeting. You could be a Speaker, the Table Topics Master, the General Evaluator, or any other role that makes our meetings run smoothly and effectively.

Why is this a great opportunity for members? Because it will help is develop our flexibility, creativity, confidence, and communication skills. We will learn how to adapt to different situations, think on our feet, deliver engaging speeches, and give constructive feedback. We will also have fun.

Even if you are new to Toastmasters, you can benefit from attending this meeting. You will see how our club operates, how we support each other, and how we celebrate our achievements. You will also have a chance to participate in Table Topics, which are short impromptu speeches on various topics. This is a great way to practice your speaking skills and get feedback from experienced members.

So don’t hesitate, join us on October 16 for a Grab Bag meeting that will challenge you and inspire you. We look forward to seeing you there! 😊

Southern Dutchess Toastmasters meets the first and third Monday of the month at 7pm at Cross Court Tennis 204 New Hackensack Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

FOLLOW US INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/sdtoastmasters/

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/SDToastMasters/

FLIPBOARD - http://flip.it/TtEVyU

CONTACT US - https://bit.ly/sdtm-contact-us

MORE ABOUT TOASTMASTERS - https://bit.ly/sdtmwelcome

VISIT OUR WEBSITE - https://bit.ly/SDToastMasters

[southerndutchesstoastmasters]

Fall is a time of change. The time changes, the leaves change. The temperature changes. Change can be a good thing, especially when it comes to improving your communication and leadership skills.

That's why we invite you to join us at Southern Dutchess Toastmasters, a club where you can learn, practice, and grow as a speaker and a leader.

Toastmasters International, is a global nonprofit organization that has helped millions of people become more confident and effective communicators.

At our club, you will find a supportive, friendly, and fun environment where you can share your ideas, stories, and opinions with others.

You will also receive constructive feedback and guidance from experienced members who will help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

Whether you want to improve your public speaking, enhance your leadership skills, or just meet new people and have fun, Southern Dutchess Toastmasters is the place for you. You will discover the benefits of being part of a community that values learning, growth, and excellence.

So don't let the fall season pass you by without making a positive change in your life. Visit our website or follow us on social media to learn more about our club and how to join.

Or better yet, come to our next meeting as a guest and see for yourself what Southern Dutchess Toastmasters can do for you. We meet the first and third Monday of the month at 7pm at Cross Court Tennis 204 New Hackensack Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. We look forward to meeting you soon!

[toastmaster-advertising]

Hello everyone! My name is Kevin Shannon.

As a member of Southern Dutchess Toastmasters, I have served as VP of Public relations for eight of the last nine years. During that time I’ve used a number of tools to create some interesting advertisement. Most of our ads are online, on our Facebook or Instagram page.

This site is meant to be a place to share some of the materials I have created over the years, both simple photo ads, and videos. Besides sharing the materials I will also try to discuss and suggest the best tools to use to create advertisement such as these.

I hope someone finds some value in this material.

[southerndutchesstoastmasters]

Our new blog page

Welcome everyone! This is a new Blog page I have set up for our Toastmaster Club - Southern Dutchess Toastmasters.

Our club meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month at The Poughkeepsie Senior Center, 14 Abe's Way, Poughkeepsie NY. Guests are always welcome. No invitation needed.

Recently, Toastmasters International has launched the Pathways learning experience. Pathways is the first complete redesign of Toastmasters’ education program since the organization was founded in 1924.

Highlighted by interactive, customized and flexible learning, Pathways offers expanded skill development and competencies that members can apply in their careers, personal lives and in the community. Since the launch of the Pathways program in May of 2018, Southern Dutchess Toastmasters already has over 18 members who have selected a learning path customized to their personal speaking and leadership goals. Last month our second member completed the Level 1 requirements for their pathway.

The membership cost is $45 every 6 months. New members pay an additional $20 to cover the cost of the online training materials.

You can get information about upcoming meeting on our web site. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.