Message from the Outgoing President

Nine speeches and two years ago, I joined Parsons Toastmasters Club 2151.

Today, I am proud to announce that we have achieved President’s Distinguished Status for 2012-2013, woohoo!!!, which was my goal when I became your president.

Of course, YOU [members] were the ones who achieved this goal by getting your CC, CL, and advanced leader awards, officers getting trained, submitting dues on time (yay, Viola!), and ALL the new members who came and joined.

This is only the third time we have accomplished the goal of earning President's Distinguished Status during the life of the club which began in 1974.  In 2008, we did not even get a designation because the club had less than the required 20 charter strength members. And now, here we are ending the term with top honors, awards and a strong member base.

I look forward to seeing you all in the upcoming Toastmaster year (2013-2014), when our new president Shannon O’Connell will certainly bring some much needed dignity back to the role of Toastmasters President.

- Bill Harmon, 2012-2013 Club President

A New Term Starts In July

The next meeting will be held on July 2^nd at the normal location (100 W Walnut Str. Pasadena) from noon to 1 p.m.  Join in on welcoming the new club term and the new club President, Shannon O’Connell.  Outgoing President, Bill Harmon, was recently awarded  the “Area B2 Toastmaster of the Year” (a district-wide honor) for his service to the Parsons Club, the surrounding area clubs and the district.  Michelle Bender, also a board officer at club and district level, was awarded the “Area Governor of the Year” honor.  We encourage you to join  a meeting and learn more about the award winning club.

HBR Tip: Brush Up on Your Grammar

People may view your language as a reflection of your competence. If you make a lot of writing mistakes or have grammatical errors when speaking, you may come across as uneducated or lazy. Since practicing grammar, as we once did in grade school, is not part of our daily routine, take it upon yourself to brush up on the rules once in a while. Consult guides on grammar and usage, such as Strunk and White's Elements of Style. Ask knowledgeable colleagues to proofread your material and to explain their corrections. Pay attention to what talented writers inside and outside the organization do. Read first-rate nonfiction, which will help you cultivate an appreciation of the skills you're trying to acquire. Check out what the Harvard Business Review wrote for ways to improve your grammar. No time to read? Try listening to podcast and audio books. I recommend the Grammar Girl podcast.  

Source: HBR

This Weeks Theme: Superstitions

Please join us June 4 in the CPS conference room (located on the 2nd floor of the Parsons Building) from 12 to 1pm. The Toastmaster will be Sowmya Venkat and the theme will be "Superstitions". All past and current members as well as guests are welcome to attend. Parking is free with validation. Please email ToastmastersClub.Parsons@parsons.com if you would like more information on this weeks event.

A New Term Brings In New Club Officers

Congratulations to the newly elected club officers, who will be led by Shannon O’Connell, the incoming Club President! Thank you to our current President Bill Harmon, who has led the club during the past 6 months. Under Bill's leadership, Parsons Toastmasters has received recognition from Toastmasters International and Select Distinguished Club status. 

Thank you for your service to the Club Bill!

Persuasive Presentation Tip: Make Your Slides Memorable

When you present data, people in your audience don't have time to pour through the numbers. They need to quickly understand by glancing at the slide, reading the title, and looking at the basics of the visuals. Don't make it hard for them by making your slides complex. Start by asking, "What would I like people to remember about the data?" Give that point visual emphasis. If you're projecting a chart about sales trends over five years but talking specifically about how sales are consistently low in the first quarter, show the first-quarter bar in a bright color and other bars in a neutral tone, like gray. Deemphasize grid lines, borders, axes, and labels — you'll provide that kind of context when you speak — and use contrast (color, size, or position) to draw the viewer's eye to the meaning.

Source: HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations