Texas Tech Talk Toastmasters Club

On March 7th, I had the privilege of collaborating with the District 50 Toastmasters Club Growth Demo Team and several of my fellow #Toastmasters in the District to host a #Toastmasters Demo Meeting for employees of Amazon and Amazon Web Services (AWS) at their Dallas offices. I am thrilled to say it was a resounding success—not only because it was my first-ever Demo Meeting but also because I had the honor of serving as the Toastmaster of the Day. For this Demo Meeting, I was graciously given the opportunity to serve as the Toastmaster of the Day by the Club Growth Demo Team. As the Toastmaster of the Day, I was responsible for setting the tone for the meeting, guiding participants through the agenda, and ensuring a smooth and engaging experience for both seasoned #Toastmasters and first-time guests. I also had the opportunity to showcase how Toastmasters aligns with Amazon’s core values—specifically the ‘Learn and Be Curious’ principle. With this principle in mind, Toastmasters empowers us to sharpen our communication and leadership skills, opening doors to new opportunities. Moreover, during the meeting, Allison Presley delivered her Contest Speech, offering our guests a glimpse into the art of public speaking at its finest. Following that, David Adams, our Table Topics Master, posed an impromptu question to me about where I see myself one-year post-graduation. In my response, I shared my journey as a recent graduate navigating the job market, striving to find a role where I can grow and thrive in the foreseeable future within that one-year timeframe. After I spoke, two of the guests jumped at the chance to try out Table Topics, and they did very well for their first time tackling Table Topics! Next, our General Evaluator, Nancy Manning, had Jennifer Hoch deliver her evaluation of Allison’s speech, walked us through the General Evaluation, and asked for the Functionary Reports from M J Presley, Dave Hendrickson, and Luis Martinez. Finally, the Club Growth? Director, Rhonda Bunte, along with DaWane Wanek, shared more about the benefits and opportunities within Toastmasters for the guests. I would like to thank DaWane Wanek for suggesting that I come and visit Amazon and Amazon Web Services through this opportunity as I continue to navigate the job market - even though I am on a sabbatical. I would also like to thank the Club Growth Demo Team, led by Rhonda Bunte, Yujun Liang, and Richard Goodrum, for entrusting me with the responsibility of being Toastmaster of the Day also for giving me a platform to showcase my leadership and communication skills. Experiences like these allow me to grow and reinforce my passion for effective communication and leadership—skills that are invaluable as I explore new opportunities in my career journey. #amazon #aws #FAANG #whereleadersaremade #growthopportunities #seizeyouropportunities #leadership #publicspeaking

What’s the secret to standing out in interviews, speaking with confidence, and making a lasting impression? Find out at the Toastmasters Demo Meeting on Monday, March 17, 2025, at 2 PM Room BA218 at East Texas A&M University - College of Business! Discover how to overcome fear, sharpen your public speaking skills, and gain the self-awareness that sets top professionals apart. Don’t miss this chance to unlock your potential in a fun, supportive environment. Your future success starts here—will you take the first step? District 50 Toastmasters, if you are able to join the demo team for this meeting, please reach out to Richard Goodrum, Yujun Liang, Demo Team Chairs Rhonda Bunte, Club Growth Director David Adams, MBA, PMP, DASM, DTM, Club Coordinator District 50 Toastmasters in Plano, Frisco, and McKinney areas, there will be a bus leaving from?201 Stacy Road, Fairview, TX?at 11 am.?Lunch on the bus.?Expect to return to this location at approximately 5:30 pm.

Happy International Women's Day! Join us for a day of contests at District 50 Toastmasters. Details are here >> https://lnkd.in/g4fSaMw2 Roderick Goudy, Rhonda Bunte, Kimberly Ross

Town North Division Contest April 5th at 4:00 PM CST Dallas College Culinary, Pastry and Hospitality Center >> https://lnkd.in/gfkQCYCt Details come soon, please check >> https://lnkd.in/g4fSaMw2 Co-Chairs: David Haney and Akash Navneeth, MS, MBA

Navigating the Job Market in the Age of AI ?? At Texas Tech Talk Toastmasters Club, we don't just practice speeches—we engage in conversations that matter. Tonight, our theme was "The Job Market in the Age of AI," a timely and thought-provoking discussion about how AI is reshaping careers and the skills needed to stay ahead. ?? Highlights from the Meeting: ? Prepared Speech: Jennifer Hoch, DTM delivered an insightful speech on "Why Have a Toastmaster Mentor?", emphasizing the value of mentorship in professional growth. ? Table Topics Session: Led by Minkai Wu, IP3, members tackled impromptu questions on AI, career growth, and adaptability—essential skills in today's fast-changing world. ? Evaluations & Leadership Roles: Ben Liang, PM3 provided a structured general evaluation, ensuring continuous improvement. Jing Julia Yuan, PM4 gave a constructive speech evaluation to help speakers refine their skills. Grace Ding, TC4, PM5 closed the meeting with final remarks and awards. Toastmasters is more than public speaking—it's a platform for developing leadership, critical thinking, and adaptability. As AI reshapes the job market, those who continuously augment (our word of the day!) their skills and embrace lifelong learning will thrive. ?? How are you preparing for the AI-driven job market? Let’s discuss in the comments! ?? We also had guests: Ledia Afrassa, and Clark Thurston, who participated in the Table Topics. #Toastmasters #Leadership #AI #CareerGrowth #PublicSpeaking #ProfessionalDevelopment #TexasTechTalkToastmasters

Hi, District 50 Toastmasters, All roles have been filled and it is ready to go! ? Noon Friday, March 07, 2025 ?? Galleria Tower 1: 13355 Noel Road DFW15.21.103. Dallas, TX 75240 Thank you to the following people for making it ready to go. Demo Team Chairs: Yujun Liang, Richard Goodrum Club Growth Director: Rhonda Bunte Club coordinator: DaWane Wanek All the role holders, Allyson Presley, M J Presley, David Hendrickson, Akash Navneeth, MS, MBA, Luis Martinez - Sr. UX Pro, Cert. HCD/LUMA Facilitator, Jennifer Hoch, David Adams, MBA, PMP, DASM, DTM, Nancy Manning If you work for Amazon, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and want to start your Toastmasters journey, please come to the meeting.

Town North Division Contest April 5th at 4:00 PM CST Dallas College Culinary, Pastry and Hospitality Center >> https://lnkd.in/gfkQCYCt Details come soon, please check >> https://lnkd.in/g4fSaMw2 Co-Chairs: David Haney and Akash Navneeth, MS, MBA

Metro Division Contest >> https://lnkd.in/g4fSaMw2 Saturday, March 29 10:00 AM Dallas, Texas

Southern Division Contest >> https://lnkd.in/g4fSaMw2 Saturday, March 29 11:00 AM Dallas, Texas

?? An Inspiring Evening at Texas Tech Talk Toastmasters Club! ?? Julia Yuan kicked off tonight's meeting, themed "Speedy or Steady," and took us on a thought-provoking journey exploring the balance between moving fast and staying steady in our personal and professional lives. The Word of the Day, "Ingenious," perfectly embodied the creativity and resourcefulness displayed by our amazing speakers and role players. ?? Highlights from the Meeting: ?? Roger Luo PM3 delivered a masterclass on "Learning in Managing a Difficult Audience" under the Presentation Mastery Pathway. His speech not only provided practical strategies but also demonstrated a calm and ingenious approach to handling challenging interactions—a valuable skill for any leader! ?? The Table Topics session, 5 Skills for the Future, Creativity, Curiosity, Courage, Compassion, and Communication, led by?Jennifer Hoch,?DTM, was entertaining and enlightening. Participants, Yujun Liang, Ben Liang, and Eve Meng, were challenged to deliver one—to two-minute impromptu talks on topics that kept everyone on their toes. From spontaneous humor to deep reflections, each response was a testament to the power of thinking quickly and speaking clearly. ?? Connie Luan PM2 took charge of the General Evaluation session, offering insightful feedback that helped everyone improve. The evaluation segment at Toastmasters is truly where growth happens, and Connie made sure we all left with actionable takeaways. ??? Our supporting roles played a crucial part in the meeting’s success: Glen Dian Fan EH2, as the Ah-Counter, diligently noted filler words and verbal pauses, helping us refine our speech clarity. Grace Ding TC4, PM5, as the Posture Monitor, provided valuable feedback on body language and stage presence. Ben Liang PM3, as the Timer, kept everyone on track, showcasing the importance of effective time management. Nathan Currie, our Grammarian, introduced the Word of the Day, “ingenious,” and highlighted exceptional and improvable uses of language throughout the meeting. ?? Key Takeaways: Embrace both speed and steadiness in your approach—there’s value in knowing when to push forward and when to hold steady. The importance of providing constructive feedback—a cornerstone of our club’s mission to empower members to develop their communication and leadership skills. ?? Gratitude and Appreciation: A huge thank you to our Sergeant at Arms, Roger Luo, for setting a warm and welcoming tone, and to our Toastmaster of the Day, Xiang Li Justin Zhang LD3, for expertly guiding us through the agenda. ?? Looking Ahead: We’re excited for our next meeting! If you’re looking to improve your public speaking, leadership, or communication skills, we’d love for you to join us. You’ll find a supportive community eager to help you grow. ? Until next time, let’s continue to inspire, connect, and lead with ingenuity! #Toastmasters #PublicSpeaking #Leadership #TexasTechTalk #CommunityGrowth #IngeniousIdeas