Watch this space for free GREAT Events throughout the year. Events include webinars and workshops on communication and leadership topics.

New GREAT Events workshops will return in March.  In the meantime, join our weekly educational sessions as part of the Toastmasters Leadership Institute.

Planning and putting together an event is a great way to learn and practice many new skills. If you’d like to try this out with an event for the District, please reach out to the District 101 Events Chair at pqevents@d101tm.org.

GREAT Event: Are You a 101% Toastmaster?

Speaker: Rita Barber, DTM, PDG

Abstract:

• Find out more about being a 101% Toastmaster
• Receive recognition in this program in more than one way
• Learn how to create a new Toastmasters Club

About the Speaker:

Rita Barber, DTM, PDG is a two-time DTM and Past District 4 Governor, 2013-14 Select Distinguished. She is also a recipient of the Presidential Citation Award, 2016. She works with individuals and groups of people to polish their message in order to reach their goals and has personally delivered hundreds of workshops on various aspects of powerful presenting and leadership, as well as professionally coaching others in their high-stakes presentations.

Agenda:

Past GREAT Events

GREAT Event: Train the Trainer

Abstract: Being an effective workshop facilitator is quite different from being an effective speaker. In this fast-paced workshop, DTM District Director Elect Shyamala Sista and VC5 Program Quality Director Elect Yifang Xu will share best practices to add to your communications toolkit, whether you know nothing about training or want to brush-up on your skills. The tools you’ll learn in this session will be invaluable to you at work and in Toastmasters!

Whova Events

Making Career Transitions

Date: Monday, May 10, 2021
Time: 6pm
Speaker: Rita Barber

Do you love what you do, but would like to move up? Or do you see yourself doing something entirely different, but are not sure how to make it happen? Join Rita Barber for a 45 minute rapid q&a on how to best make career transitions happen in your life. The change may be much easier than you think!

Building Club Membership and Building New Clubs

Date: Thursday, May 13, 2021
Time: 5:30pm
Speaker: Solazar Dellaporta 

Do you need help increasing your club membership? Are you struggling to convert or get guests to attend your club meetings? Or do you have a club in mind that you want to start but don’t know where to get started? Solarzar Dellaporta can help give clarity through a 45 mins session where you’ll get the chance to learn, ask and improve!

To access both events:

• Register for the Conference (if you haven’t already)
• Log into Whova (from your browser OR on the app on your mobile device)
• Find the event under Meetups in the Community Tab

These events are only accessible via Whova!

GREAT Event: How to be a good club sponsor

Speakers: Solarzar Dellaporta, DTM

Abstract: One of the requirements for achieving a DTM is being a Club Sponsor. Nothing in Toastmasters can bring the level of personal satisfaction and growth as sponsoring a New Club. But the process can seem daunting. In the Magic of Club Sponsorship Solarzar and his supporting panel will share the best tips on how to successfully sponsor and charter a Toastmaster Club.

About the Speaker:

Solarzar Dellaporta, DTM is the founder of Magic-4-Life LLC to offer entertaining training and education in the areas of Leadership, Customer Service, and Communication. As a 25 year Toastmaster holding the educational level of DTM, Solarzar is passionate about each member bringing their inner speaker out into the world.

GREAT Event: Manager vs Leader

Speakers: Rita Barber, DTM, PDG; Dave Spence, DTM, PDD

Abstract: Included in this workshop, you will learn the nuances of Manager vs Leader., why the differences are important to know, and how you can assess those differences for yourself.

About the Speakers:

Rita Barber, DTM, PDG has personally delivered hundreds of workshops on various aspects of powerful presenting and leadership, as well as professional coaching others in their high-stakes presentations. She is a two-time DTM and Past District 4 Governor, 2013-14 Select Distinguished. She is also a recipient of the Presidential Citation Award, 2016.works with individuals and groups of people to polish their message in order to reach their goals.

Dave Spence, DTM, PDD is District 101’s own Renaissance Man. Equally adept in club marketing and growth as he is in education and training, Dave demonstrates that knowledge is power and the way to that knowledge is by always saying yes when called upon to help the district. He also possesses a terrific sense of humor, making the learning fun for those of us in the audience.

GREAT Event – Zoom Master Crash Course

Presented by Nishant Chandrashekar

Click Here to view the recording of the GREAT Event.

Since everything is now virtual, people have been having meetings for Toastmasters, work, family, and friends! However, sometimes it becomes too confusing or too difficult to concentrate on the meeting. This session covers the basics of how to maneuver Zoom as an attendee and an organizer! If you have that down, it covers how to be smarter in protecting your events! If you even have that covered, then you might learn how to elevate your meetings inside and outside Toastmasters!

Attend this crash course to get your basic credentials as a budding Zoom Master!

About the Speakers:
Nishant Chandrashekar has been a Toastmaster for more than 2 years. He started Toastmasters to improve his speaking. However, he found many opportunities to venture within D101. He has organized events as a President for his home club, MCA Toastmasters Club, and as a Contest Chair for both Fall Fusion 2019 Speech Contests, as a Tech Chair for the 2020 Annual D101 Conference, and as a current Tech Guru in the Program Quality Team. He has experience in organizing simple meetings as well as large events through Zoom.

An Engineer by profession, Ashish Kothagodu has been a Toastmaster for 2 years now. Ashish joined Toastmasters to work on his communication skills and he has been exploring opportunities at the district. Always eager to learn new things, Ashish was a Tech Chair for the 2020 Annual D101 Conference, and is currently one of the Tech Gurus with the Program Quality Team. He is well versed with Zoom, and has experiences to share to make your Zoom meetings better.

Kari Lynn Morgan is a relationship and communication coach whose purpose is to bring more connection to the world through honesty and trust. She has facilitated many workshops, lectures, and retreats over the last 7 years and most recently has been teaching several peers to better utilize Zoom. Kari Lynn has been a Toastmaster for nearly 2 years and won the Area A4 Tall Tales Speech competition for her story about her beloved chickens.

This event took place on Thursday December 17, 2020 at 6 PM.

GREAT Event – Train the Trainer

Presented by Mythili Prabhu

Being an effective workshop facilitator is quite different from being an effective speaker. In this fast-paced workshop, DTM and Past District Director Mythili Prabhu will share best practices to add to your communications toolkit, whether you know nothing about training or want to brush up on your skills. The tools you’ll learn in this session will be invaluable to you at work and in Toastmasters!

About the Speaker:
Mythili Prabhu, DTM is a Toastmaster since 2011. She served as a trainer multiple times over these past 9 years. She also served as the first District Director for District 101 in 2016-17. She currently serves as the District Events Chair and oversees events throughout the year – TLI series, Annual Conference, Fall Fusion, GREAT Events.

This event took place on Tuesday December 8, 2020 at 6 PM.

GREAT Event – Magically Connect with your Audience Livestreaming

Presented by Gary McKinsey

During this workshop, Gary will help you discover time-tested, proven processes you can use to connect with your audience even virtually.

Takeaways:
1) Giving How to instantly connect with your audience consciously and subconsciously.
2) Giving Using sensory words to transport your audience into your story.
3) Creating a subtle yet motivational call to action.

About the Speaker: As past president of the National Speakers Association of Northern California and the chair of Toastmasters District 57’s Speakers Bureau, Gary McKinsey is extremely involved in supporting individuals that desire to improve their communication skills. As a Congressional appointee to the White House Conference on Small Business, he has advised three United States Presidents and a California Governor. He is a Certified World Class Speaking Coach and Certified Neuro-Linguist Executive Coach.

This event took place on Saturday December 5, 2020 at 2 PM.

GREAT Event – Murphy’s Laws of Table Topics

Presented by Brendan James Murphy, DTM

Click Here to view the recording of the GREAT Event.

Takeaways:
a) Preparing in advance for any impromptu question
b) Creating a confident impact from the start
c) Ensuring your response connects with your audience

About the Speaker: Brendan James Murphy, DTM joined Toastmasters in 1997 and has served in every club officer role. He is a past District 57 champion in the Table Topics and the Humorous speech contests plus is a past Toastmaster of the Year. Brendan has spoken to groups varying in size from 20 to 2000 over the past 20 years on subjects ranging from Communication to Software to Karaoke. When not doing Toastmasters, Brendan serves as a ScrumMaster for Stanford Healthcare.

This event took place on November 21, 2020 at 2 PM.

GREAT Event – Why Mentor?

Presented by Club Mentor Chair Shoba Rao, DTM

Click Here to view the recording of the GREAT Event.

Join former and current mentors, along with the Club Mentor Chair Shoba to learn why New Club Mentoring matters and how you can make a difference while developing leadership and management skills. In this session, there will be a presention and discussion about the benefits of mentoring a new club. The session will include a Presentation, Panel discussion with mentors and Q&A.

About the Speaker: Shoba Rao, DTM, Club Mentor Chair-2020 has been a Toastmaster for 9 years and has held various leadership positions in the past including Club Officer, Area Director and Division Director. She has also served as a New Club Mentor learning first hand how to make a new club successful. She has conducted many workshops and chaired events, in Toastmasters and elsewhere.

This event took place on November 17, 2020 at 6 PM.

GREAT Event – How to Captivate & Persuade Your Audience

Presented by Nathan Gold

Click Here to view the recording of the GREAT Event.

Takeaways:
a) The little known secret to building immediate trust
b) Using pictures to bring clarity to complexity
c) Persuade your virtual audience using your webcam

About the Speaker: As a full-time coach for speakers for the past 13 years for TED talks, keynotes, investor pitching, and high-stakes sales meetings, Nathan Gold has seen a thing or two. He is a two-time published author: Harness Your Speaking Anxiety and Giving Memorable Product Demos. In 2000 and 2005, the DEMO Conference awarded Nathan their DEMOgod Award. The Wall Street Journal called him, “An elevator pitch expert.” Nathan travels the world speaking about and coaching people on how to prepare for high-stakes speaking opportunities and how to harness speaking anxiety.

This event took place on November 14, 2020 at 2 PM.

GREAT Event – Coaching Skills Improve Your Life Skills

Presented by Alyson King, DTM

Click Here to view the recording of the GREAT Event.

Join D101 Club Coach Chair, Alyson King and a panel of current coaches to overview how effective coaching can improve any aspect of your life. Coaching skills can be transferred to the work place, the family, your clubs and social circles. Learn key concepts to building effective coaching dynamics used by Toastmasters coaches in their clubs and beyond. We will have a brief overview of concepts followed by a panel discussion with Q/A.

About the Speaker: Alyson King, DTM, has been a Toastmaster for 14 years and learned first hand the difference a coach can make to a club. When her home club was at risk of shutting down, the district sent them a wonderful coach who worked with the remaining members to revitalize the club and foster improved leadership and a better educational environment. She will be sharing how the coaching relationship affected her and the club. Alyson has been a club mentor, a workshop presenter, an area director, and has served as a club officer in two clubs over the last 10 years.

This event took place on November 10, 2020 at 6 PM.

GREAT Event – Create a Genuine Connection with your Audience

Presented by Solarzar Dellaporta, DTM

Click Here to view the recording of the GREAT Event.

Learn the difference between the Premise and Purpose of your Speech
Learn how to set the Intention for your Speech to create a connection
Learn how to speak Naturally and Authentically.

About the Speaker: Solarzar is the founder of Magic-4-Life LLC to offer entertaining training and education in the areas of Leadership, Customer Service, and Communication. As a 25 year Toastmaster holding the educational level of DTM, Solarzar is passionate about each member bringing their inner speaker out into the world.

This event took place on November 7, 2020 at 2 PM.

GREAT Event – Getting the Most Out of Pathways

Presented by Program Quality Director, Shyamala Sista, DTM

Pathways was designed to teach and provide the opportunity to practice and develop critical communication and leadership skills. Unfortunately, many members simply skim the wealth of material provided. While they might give a great speech, they have missed out on the learning opportunity the program provides. In this presentation, you will learn the value and how to get the most out of each of the components that make up a Pathways assignment. Additionally, you will learn how to apply each of an assignment’s components to develop personally and professionally. As well as being for members who are just starting their Pathways journey, this presentation is also designed to meet the needs of those already in the program.

This event took place on September 16, 2020 at 6 PM.

GREAT Event – Train the Trainer

Being an effective workshop facilitator is quite different from being an effective speaker. In this fast-paced workshop, DTM and PDG Rita Barber and DTM and PDD Mythili Prabhu will share best practices to add to your communications toolkit, whether you know nothing about training or want to brush-up on your skills. The tools you’ll learn in this session will be invaluable to you at work and in Toastmasters!

This event took place on September 9, 2020 at 6 PM.