It's Not too Late to Make Professional Improvement Your Goal for 2014

UNION, N.J. - March 1, 2014 - PRLog -- It’s day 60 of the New Year 2014!  Did you make your annual list of resolutions on January 1, 2014?   Perhaps committed to trying to eat healthier. Or spend less time in front of the TV. Or maybe you’d like to boost your career or business.  It's not too late!

Toastmasters International, a thriving organization with 270,000 members in 116 countries, can help you develop the communication and leadership skills needed to reach your professional improvement goal at reality.

Think about this!  To get promoted, you may need to become a better presenter and more confident team leader. You may need the ability to talk and answer questions off the cuff. If you want to land a good position, you’ll need job interviewing skills.  All these skills can be learned in the supportive setting of a local Toastmasters meeting.

“I credit Toastmasters for providing me with exciting and challenging opportunities for professional communications and leadership development. While serving as Vice President of Public Relations for Toastmasters Club of Union and 2011-2012 District 83 Public Relations Officer (PRO), I developed a deep passion for sharing the good news about the achievements of individuals and organizations.  That passion has led me to launch a business as a personal publicist and marketing consultant,” says Anna D, Banks, MAS, LocalCelebrityMaker.com, Toastmasters Club of Union.

Read how Toastmasters 'learn-by-doing' communication and leadership curriculum has boosted the personal and professional lives of three members of Toastmasters, District 83.

1.  Sabrina S. Myers, MSW, LCSW/DTM, Division F Governor 2013-14, Jim Friend Toastmasters Club

"My Toastmaster story begins with my son going away to college. I decided that I needed to spend my extra time productively by improving my presentation and impromptu speaking skills. I met a Toastmaster in Long Island, NY around 1996 but was too busy as a single parent to pursue joining a club. I decided it was time to address my fear and the resulting physical illness that occurred whenever I had to speak publicly," said Sabrina Meyers.

"I joined Impact 21 Toastmasters in July 2009 and I gave my first speech several months after joining. I completed my CC in July 2010.  I received specific feedback from experienced Evaluators. This aided me in becoming a more confident and creative speaker. The confidence gained empowered me to move forward and obtain my DTM."

2.  Rosa M. Nicolini, Formulation Chemist, BASF Corporation, Vice President Public Relations, BASF Tarrytown Toastmasters Club

"I have known of Toastmasters for a couple of years, but never had the opportunity to be apart of this great organization until December of 2013. The toastmasters president came and asked if I would like to be on her leadership team and I gladly accepted the role of VP of Public Relations", said Rosa Nicolini.

"Speaking in front of people has always been a stressful and very uncomfortable experience for me. Even though it has only been a few months, I already see improvements. I feel less anxious and feel more comfortable in making speeches. I'm excited to see myself go through the full program and see further continued success."

3.   Margarita Estrada, Administrative Assistant to Rev. Jim Thomas, The First Presbyterian Church of Iselin, Impact 21 Toastmasters Club.

"Currently, I work as Webmaster and Co-Food Pantry Coordinator for The First Presbyterian Church of Iselin," said Margarita Estrada.  "As a member of Toastmasters International, I have gained valuable leadership and communication skills that have allowed me to embark on an alternate career as a speaker in a variety of forums, including community events, such as participating in the yearly commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sponsored by the Woodbridge Interfaith Clergy Council  and an event sponsored by the American Heart Association at the Newark Juvenile Detention Center."

If your goal in 2014 is to grow professionally, Toastmasters Club of Union can help you achieve it.   Toastmasters Club of Union meets at Center for Academic Success (CAS) Building, Room #118, Kean University, 1000 Morris Ave., Union, NJ 07083, every 2nd  and 4th  Tuesday each month at 7:00 p.m.  Membership is an investment that can pay off in career advancement.

About Toastmasters Club of Union:

Toastmasters Club of Union at Center for Academic Success (CAS) Building, Room #118, Kean University, 1000 Morris Ave., Union, NJ 07083, every 2nd  and 4th  Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.   For more information, please visit our website http://www.toastmastersofunion.com/ or contact Anna D. Banks at Anna@AnnaBanks.com.

About Toastmasters District 83:

District 83 includes 150 clubs (4,000 members), in Metropolitan New Jersey, Staten Island, and Rockland County, New York. For more information, please visit the District 83 website, http://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 270,000 members in 13,000 clubs in 116 countries. Each week, Toastmasters helps more than a quarter million people of every ethnicity, education and profession build their competence in communication so they can gain the confidence to lead others. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit http://www.toastmasters.org.