Business, Free News Articles

Los Angeles Resident Advances in The World’s Largest Speech Contest

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Toastmaster Harriet Kamakil Brown, of Los Angeles, California, rose among more than 70 local contestants to win the district-level competition of the Toastmasters International Speech Contest, Toastmasters District 52 announced today. Kamakil Brown advances to the region quarterfinal round of the contest, competing for one of 28 spots in the semifinals, to be held in a hybrid format on Thursday, Aug. 18. From there, eight contestants will advance to the World Championship of Public Speaking®, which takes place Saturday, Aug. 21, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Kamakil Brown, a Prepared Speakers Toastmasters Club member in Glendale, California, surpassed fierce competition to win over the judges with her speech, "This One." Her presentation touched on the themes of self-improvement, thankfulness, and resilience. When it comes to connecting with an audience, she said, "Take a deep breath, don't take yourself too seriously, focus on the message you have to deliver and be grateful for the privilege to be able to share it with your audience."

Kamakil Brown will compete with up to 122 other winners from Districts around the world who advance to the 2022 region quarterfinal round after winning their club, Area, Division and District speech competitions like she did. Their five- to seven-minute speeches were judged on content, delivery, and language.

"I joined Toastmasters International because I come from a country where women are seen, but barely heard," says Toastmaster Kamakil Brown. "I always enjoyed writing and communication, but I had to improve my public speaking skills... Now I can also share my story verbally." Kamakil Brown is a Field Representative for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, a bridge for government organizations that have an interest in information on nonimmigrants whose primary reason for coming to the United States is to be students.

The Toastmasters International Speech Contest began in 1938 and is the world's largest speech contest, involving 30,000 participants from 149 countries. It culminates with the famous World Championship of Public Speaking held annually at the organization's International Convention.

About Toastmasters District 52:

District 52 comprises more than 90 corporate and community Toastmasters clubs in Burbank, Glendale, Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley, Valencia, Calabazas, and Malibu.

To learn more about District 52 please visit: https://www.district52.org/ and http://www.d52.me/MeetUp

About Toastmasters International:

Toastmasters International is a worldwide nonprofit educational organization that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., the organization's membership exceeds 300,000 in more than 15,800 clubs in 149 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit http://www.toastmasters.org/. Follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.

Related link: https://www.district52.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Free News Articles

Corporate Summit Reveals Why Fortune 500 Companies Rely on Toastmasters for Workforce Training

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- A top-level Corporate Summit held by Toastmasters' Districts 52, 100 and F showed business and corporations why a big number of mega-companies rely on their educational program. Companies such as Amazon, Google, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, Bank of America, FedEx, General Electric, JPMorgan Chase and Lockheed Martin all have benefited from the Toastmasters International program.

It helps them to develop and enhance valuable employee soft skills like communication, leadership, public speaking, and confidence-building.

The event was hosted by Pamela McCown, former vice president of JPMorgan Chase Bank; and Pat Johnson, former manager, Workforce Development and Strategies at Capital Regional District of Canada. Both are current regional advisors for Toastmasters International.

Cathy Daoust, former executive director, IT Organizational Change Management at SONY Pictures Entertainment, attended and shared what it was like to help implement the Toastmasters´ educational program at SONY.

Daoust says that they had a large number of employees register and participate and explains that she saw a big positive change in their skill levels and confidence.

"They became the first ones to raise their hands for new challenges. If we had a new initiative, they were there; they wanted to do it. They asked if they could make the presentations and wanted to practice. They'd have their weekly [Toastmasters] meetings, but they wanted to practice outside of that. They weren't afraid to stand up in front of 400 IT people and present. Toastmasters made a significant difference."

Other attendees included public servants from the City of Arcadia and representatives from companies like Kimball Midwest, Serendipity & Co., and NUCONET.

The Corporate Summit will be held again on March 7 at 5 p.m.

RSVP to: https://D52.me/summit

About District 52

District 52 comprises more than 90 corporate and community Toastmasters' clubs in California: Burbank, Glendale, Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley, Valencia, Calabazas, and Malibu.

Learn more about District 52: https://www.district52.org/

About Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a worldwide nonprofit educational organization that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Headquartered in Englewood, CO., the organization's membership exceeds 364,000 in more than 16,200 clubs in 145 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators and leaders.

For information about local Toastmasters clubs: https://www.toastmasters.org/

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter: @Toastmasters

Related link: https://www.district52.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Business, Free News Articles, Government, Regional Events

AAPI Toastmaster to Host The 2021 Los Angeles Congress of Neighborhoods

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Asian American Toastmaster Judy Thang has been selected to host the opening session of the 2021 Los Angeles Congress of Neighborhoods. This year, the theme of the event will be "Leading Change Together," Toastmasters District 52 announced today.

"The opening session will be comprised of a keynote speaker Executive Director General Manager Capri Maddox- of the LA Civil Human Rights and Equity Department, Mayor Garcetti, the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners Representative, and the General Manager of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, Raquel Beltran," says Colette Amin, Co-Chair of the Production Committee of the 2021 Los Angeles Congress of Neighborhoods.

"Being part of Toastmasters has provided the space and support that I needed to become confident and driven, and to work on my own goals in life," says Toastmaster Judy Thang. "I've been fortunate to work with Toastmasters from all walks of life - and thrust into situations that nudge me out of my comfort zone such as the opportunity to host the opening session of the 2021 Los Angeles Congress of Neighborhoods."

The virtual congress has an expected attendance of 500-700 Angelenos. The goal is to bring together neighborhood council board members, committee members, stakeholders, and local communities from our 99 neighborhood councils for a day of learning, civic engagement, and inspiration.

2021 Los Angeles Congress of Neighborhoods

Date: September 25, 2021

Time: from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Location: Online via Zoom

For more information please visit: https://www.neighborhoodcongress.la

About District 52

District 52 comprises more than 90 corporate and community Toastmasters clubs in Burbank, Glendale, Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley, Valencia, Calabazas, and Malibu.

To learn more about District 52 please visit: http://www.district52.org/

About Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a worldwide nonprofit educational organization that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., the organization's membership exceeds 300,000 in more than 15,800 clubs in 149 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit http://www.toastmasters.org/. Follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.

Related link: https://www.district52.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.