New Jersey City University Administrator Luis R. Morales Receives Distinguished Toastmasters Award

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - May 29, 2013 - PRLog -- Luis R. Morales, Budget Officer with New Jersey City University and Jersey City resident, has completed the requirements for the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation--an accomplishment earned by less than one percent of the greater than 260,000 Toastmasters International members worldwide. Morales was presented with the DTM medallion at the District 83 Toastmasters Spring Conference on May 18, 2013.

“The Distinguished Toastmaster designation is given only to those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and communication skills and have used these skills to mentor others in their self-development efforts,” said Daniel Rex, Executive Director of Toastmasters International. “Luis has met all of our rigorous requirements to become a Distinguished Toastmaster. I congratulate him/her for achieving this honor.”

To earn the Distinguished Toastmaster designation, a member must demonstrate excellence in public speaking and leadership by completing a series of steps, which include oral presentations, district leadership roles, mentoring new members and advising new and/or troubled clubs. To become a Distinguished Toastmaster, Morales presented 40 speeches at the club and community level and also performed 27 leadership projects.

“It has been a long journey, one that took seven years. My passion for what I believed-in never faltered. I set-out on this journey in two parts. Part one consisted of about 30 speeches that I completed: fast, quick and in a hurry! As a Toastmaster, I tell those that I mentor to speak about something they know about, like or want to explore. When you do this, the first 30 or so speeches are easy. Then the journey takes a bend here and there, and that is when I discovered why I was doing this”, said Luis R Morales.  “Part two was a bit harder. I didn’t like the spotlight so much, but I did like the feeling I was getting from helping others, so I continued. Toastmasters helped me achieve so many hurdles in my life that it made me adamant about letting others know of this amazing program. During this journey, I found I was being molded as I assisted in shaping those around me. I felt like a leader and I spoke like one. Here I was being rewarded for something that I grew to love – Toastmasters!”

Morales is a member of New Jersey City University Toastmasters club, where he is also the Vice-President of Membership.  He also serves as the Area 15 Governor and has been a member of Toastmasters for nearly eight years.

“Luis has grown and learned much along his leadership path and I am proud to have served as his District Governor during this time. His ability to be flexible throughout his challenging journey has added an additional facet of development to his growth”, said Pamela Winter, DTM, and 2012-2013 Toastmasters District 83 Governor.  "Luis has shown himself to be exceptionally worthy of the highest member award Toastmasters International bestows.  I am proud to welcome Luis Morales, DTM to this level and am honored to call him my friend.”

“Mr. Morales dominates professionalism in excellence and displays a high level of integrity, respect, and responsibility. Luis demonstrates helpfulness, values perspective input, and inspires all Toastmaster members to embrace in the Toastmasters’ mission”, said Franca Kirsch, President, New Jersey City University Toastmaster’s Club.  “Luis expresses confidence and enthusiasm and his success stems from extraordinary performance, outstanding communication skills and the ability to provide extraordinary leadership skills. Mr. Morales fully embraces the mission of Toastmasters.”

Bismark Delvillar, VP Education & President-Elect of New Jersey City University Toastmasters Club has this to say about the stellar leadership exhibited by Morales.

“Late in 2011, I engaged in a search for a local Toastmasters Club. Many years earlier I belonged to a club in King of Prussia, PA called Valley Forge Toastmasters and after years of absence I wanted to return to the program. I decided on NJCU Toastmasters since it was located less than a mile from my residence, and they met weekly, which meant that I would be able to progress through the program very quickly.”

Delvillar further states, “Luis is a professional encourager, a cheerleader for those involved in his Toastmasters program. None who come before him can leave his presence without somehow becoming a better speaker, a better person, a better leader and without being influenced by his charisma and his love for toastmasters.  He makes all projects seem simple regardless of their true level of complexity, the mark of a true leader. He is a professional salesman, daily selling everyone on what is possible for them through this wonderful program. He is the embodiment of what it means to be a Toastmaster; Professional, courteous, goal and results oriented, and one of the greatest speakers on the platform today. His earning of this recognition brings great credit to himself, His club, NJCU Toastmasters and Toastmasters International.”

Earning the Distinguished Toastmasters award typically requires five to eight years of service to the organization in order to develop the proficiency needed in such skills as vocal variety, gestures, extemporaneous speaking, management and organization.  

In addition to Toastmasters, Luis R. Morales works for New Jersey City University as a Budget Officer and lives in Jersey City with his two puppies, Julio and Ruby.

About District 83

District 83 of Toastmasters International proudly serves over 4,000 members in 155 clubs throughout the metropolitan area of New Jersey and includes Staten Island and Rockland County, New York.  For information about local Toastmasters in District 83 visit www.toastmasters83.org.

About Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Founded in October 1924, the organization currently has more than 280,000 members in 13,500-plus clubs in 116 countries. Each week, Toastmasters helps more than a quarter million people of every ethnicity, education level and profession build their competence in communication so they can gain the confidence to lead others. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org. Follow @Toastmasters International on Twitter.