Toastmasters Club of Union Celebrates 13 Years of Shaping Lives

UNION, N.J. - April 25, 2013 - PRLog -- Toastmasters Club of Union (www.ToastmastersofUnion.com) marked its 13th anniversary on March 1, 2013. In honor of the occasion, an Open House celebration was held on Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at Kean University, Center for Academic Success (CAS) Building, Room #118, 1000 Morris Ave., Union, NJ 07083. Members of the public were invited to attend and learn more about. Since 2000, the club has been dedicated to helping people become better speakers and leaders.

“Toastmasters Club of Union provides a supportive and positive environment where members have the opportunity to develop their communication and leadership skills,” says Anita Crum, MBA, and President of the Toastmasters Club of Union.

The special Open House meeting demonstrated how individuals from all industries, all ages, and all backgrounds are using Toastmasters to enhance communication skills at the workplace, at home, and at social situations.

The meeting started with Table Topics, also known as extemporaneous speaking.  Following the Hollywood meeting theme, Table Topic Master, Michelle Llado, provided questions surrounding a night at the Oscars. Table topics demonstrate how individuals can master speaking off the cuff.  

Celebrating with the club was Olga Berejnaia, Area 63 Governor for District 83.  “My area Governor's club visit happened to coincide with the Toastmasters Club of Union open house and what a wonderful event it was,” said Berejnaia .  “The meeting room was decorated with style and flare, the atmosphere was filled with warmth and excitement, the club members and guest were really enthusiastic!  Congratulations on the great event and thank you for a very special experience!!!!”

Neil Iton, a Boston College Graduate and Scholarship athlete played for the New York Giants Super Bowl Championship coach Tom Coughlin & Jack Bicknell, and a fellow Toastmaster, was the Guest Speaker for the evening.  Iton delivered a speech titled, “Get Your Fire Back”.  In his presentation, Iton shared that Sports gave him the confidence to enhance his communications skills and pursue a career in Sales. Iton challenged members and guests to get to W.O.R.K. NOW to achieve their dreams.

"Toastmasters has the combination to unlock unlimited potential inside anyone willing to give it a turn", says Neil Iton, CC (2), CL, Sales Master Elite Manhattan Jeep Chrysler Dodge.

Lastly, feedback was provided for the meeting, by General Evaluator, Adrienne Congleton, ACB and the evaluation team. Correct feedback is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of communication and can be mastered in Toastmasters.

“Toastmasters International is truly a world-wide organization, and Toastmasters Club of Union mirrors that diversity,” says Anna D. Banks, MAS, and VP Public Relations for Toastmasters Club of Union. “Our members come from around the world, and learn from one another how to communicate effectively with people of widely different backgrounds. Other benefits include the opportunity to increase one’s confidence, build critical thinking skills and become an effective listener,”

Refreshments were provided as well as an opportunity to converse with current members.

About Neil Iton

Neil Iton, Sales Master Elite, Manhattan Jeep Chrysler Dodge is a Boston College Graduate and Scholarship athlete played for the New York Giants Super Bowl Championship coach Tom Coughlin & Jack Bicknell as a Defensive Back at BC.

Highlights of his career include being on Two Lambert Trophy winning teams, becoming a Cotton Bowl Classic Champion and witnessing his teammate and Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie launch a 48 yard last second pass to win the game 47 - 45 in the Orange Bowl over the University of Miami in the game that has come to be known as the "Miracle in Miami". Sports gave him the confidence to enhance his communications skills and pursue a career in Sales. With the Miracle in Miami under his belt Neil believes anything is possible and has become an eight time consecutive Salesman of the Year recipient in Automotive Sales and was awarded the title of Sales Master Elite. He has led sales seminars, managed sales teams, and is passionate about communications and the Toastmasters experience.

A former board of trustee member for Immaculate Conception High School provided a great opportunity to communicate and contribute by giving back to his alma mater and now looks to give something to my fellow Toastmasters.

About Toastmasters Club of Union

Chartered with 20 members in 2000, for Toastmasters Club of Union is located in District 83. The Toastmasters Club of Union meets each 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at Kean University, 1000 Morris Ave., Union, NJ 07083. For more information about the club, please visit www.ToastmastersofUnion.com.

About District 83

District 83 comprises more than 150 corporate and community clubs in District 83 Toastmasters serves company, community and educational clubs in New Jersey, Rockland County and Staten Island. To learn more about District 83 please visit: http://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 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 www.toastmasters.org. Follow Toastmasters International on Twitter @Toastmasters (http://twitter.com/Toastmasters).