Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Cynthia Beckles


I recently celebrated my 10th Anniversary in Toastmasters.   As a native New Yorker, I was devastated by September 11th, 2001, but made a firm decision to move forward with my public speaking goals.
Improving my public speaking skills has always been a major challenge! 
Toastmasters gave me h-o-p-e!
Toastmasters helped me….  
Hone my communication skills
Overcome my fears
Practice Public Relations
Empower myself and others
Practice makes make perfect!  Toastmasters gave me the opportunity to hone my communication skills by doing manual speeches and volunteering at speech contests. Even though writing came natural to me, public speaking did not.   I have now completed six Competent Communicator awards.  
Working in speech contests from the club through the regional level allowed me to observe experienced Toastmasters speakers at the highest levels.   I used this knowledge to win Third-Place in the District 14 Evaluation Speech Contest. 
Toastmasters helped me overcome my fear of public speaking.  My heart was pounding for a full hour the first time I served as Table Topics Master.  I felt extremely nervous.  This resulted in a six month scenic route to my first speech.   The encouragement of my fellow Toastmasters helped me overcome my fears.
Although I have an MBA in Marketing, Toastmasters gave me a platform to learn and practice Public Relations.  As a result serving as VP of PR three times, I learned so much about sponsorships and publicity.   I have now done over 160 events through working with over 400 corporate sponsors to secure donations for TI programs.  Furthermore, I have worked with the White House, governors, senators and local officials to honor Toastmasters.  I even had the opportunity to with Evander Holyfield’s PR Agent to secure a gift for Dwayne Smith, the 2002 World Champion of Public Speaking. 
Toastmasters heightened my creativity.  Midnight Madness was event at 2011 District 47 Spring Conference where I worked with Division D Governors to award door prizes at midnight.  It was a “crazy idea”.  I was not sure anyone would show up.    In the end, I could not believe that so many Toastmasters came!  Most people loved the door prizes, but also the relaxed setting to socialize with others.
Toastmasters empowered me to speak at my father’s funeral.  My dad was a special person.  At times I would get tired from doing these events, and my dad would say, “Can you do a little something for the Toastmasters?”   It was priceless to let everyone know how much my dad meant to me at his funeral.
Furthermore, I have mentored several Toastmasters because I want to empower others.  I once helped an individual who had difficulty saying her name in public go on to join Toastmasters, and then serve as a Sergeant-At-Arms.  She also later received a promotion in the military due her improved public speaking skills.  
Toastmasters International has opened countless doors for me and others. 
I have received the most priceless gift of all, H-O-P-E!

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