For more information contact:

 UnionCityTM@gmail.com  or call 201.334.2713                     

For news and updates see www.unioncitytm.wordpress.com

A lot of things have been happening at the Palisades Toastmasters Club in the last few weeks. Our themes have ranged from St. Patrick’s Day to spring themes such as Spring is Here. The theme of the last meeting was April Showers… Would you like to guess what is the theme for the next meeting Tuesday, May 4? You got it: “…bring May flowers”.

When: Tuesday, May 4, 7:15 p.m.

Where: Burger King,  3501 Bergenline Ave. 2nd floor party room, Union City, NJ 07087

Please RSVP to Palisades.TM@gmail.com or call 201-334-2713

The last two meetings of the Palisades Toastmasters club were devoted to the art of conducting effective speech evaluations.  Last March 2 the club re-introduced written brief evaluations. From now on, after each speaker is done all members and guests attending will be able to provide a brief written evaluation to the speaker. Julian Hernandez touched on points from the Evaluate to Motivate educational module. Last March 9 Karen Fisher and Fausto Molina did their first evaluations. 

On March 2 Karen Fisher delivered speech #2, entitled Three Career Change Tips. On March 9 the club had three speakers: Karen presented speech #3 entitled “Is a Military Band for You?”; Fausto did speech #4 entitled “The Great Deal”; and Julian delivered speech #1 from the Advanced Communication Manual, Speaking to Inform, entitled ”You Don’t Understand.”

The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 16 at 7:15 p.m. at the usual location, Burger King, 3501 Bergenline Ave. 2nd floor party room, Union City, NJ. The theme will be St. Patrick’s Day. Please RSVP at Palisades.TM@gmail.com. See you there.

Fausto Molina and Area 53 Governor Luz Guzman

Area Governor Luz Guzman, ACB made her official winter club visit last Tuesday, February 23. The theme was Winter Games.  Karen Fisher chose the word of the day, Alpine, an adjective, (relating to or characteristic of alps; “alpine sports”). Although the table topics participants were not following the Winter Olympic Games, they were still able to express an opinion of the theme and of winter games in general, olympics or otherwise (making a snowman in the park with your son). Fausto Molina delivered speech #3, Get to the Point, from the Competent Communication manual, titled, ”Boy Scouting”. Luz also delighted the club with a speech from the Entertaining Speaker Advanced Manual titled, “The Gringa in Nicaragua”. The speeches were evaluated by Luz and Julian Hernandez, respectively.

Speaking of evaluations, the club will re-introduce the written brief evaluations at the next meeting. After each speaker completes his or her presentation everyone in the audience will have 1-2 minutes to write down comments for the speaker.  This is a great opportunity for the members to receive, not only the oral and written evaluations from the assigned evaluator, but from everyone attending the meeting as well. Evaluations are an important aspect of the Toastmasters educational program. Therefore, the theme for the next meeting will be Effective Evaluations. The date is Tuesday, March 2 at 7:15 p.m. Don’t miss it!

New member Karen, Julian and first time guest Cesia

The second snow storm in a week did not stop the members and guests from attending the meeting on Tuesday, February 16.  In true “mardi gras” spirit they gathered to “celebrate” the art of effective communication and leadership.  The club has two more new members this month. Karen Fisher and Mohammed Moinuddin joined the club. Cesia Lockward visited for the first time and plans to return next week.

The meeting was very educational and productive. Karen delivered the first speech from the Competent Communication manual, The Icebreaker.  She shared with the club and elaborated in an excellent way her two passions: music and New York City. All members and guests participated in table topics which were about Mardi Gras, New Orleans and Carnivals in general.  The next meeting will be Tuesday, February 23 at 7:15 p.m. The theme will be Winter Games, but we hope not to get another snow storm. Keep your fingers crossed.

The club changed its meeting day from Thursday to Tuesday, since Tuesday is  the preferred meeting day for members and potential members as well. Valentine’s Day was the theme of the meeting last Tuesday, February 9th. Fausto Molina and Selena Balecha delivered speech #2 and #5, respectively. The club was honored to have Karen Fisher as returning guest and Viola Williams and Errol Misquita as first time guests. All the guests participated in table topics and expressed interest in joining the club.

This is a big holiday weekend coming up. In addtion to Valentine’s Day on Sunday February 14,  that same day is Chinese New Year and Monday, February 15 is President’s Day. Hope everyone has a nice holiday weekend. At the next meeting, Tuesday, February 16 at 7:15 p.m. we will be celebrating Mardi Gras. Don’t miss the excitement. Please RSVP by emailing Palisades.TM@gmail.com or by calling 201.334.2713. See you then!

Palisades Toastmasters Club President Julian Hernandez, DTM; Area 53 Governor Luz Guzman, ACB; Palisades Toastmaster Club Secretary and Treasurer Carla Hernandez, CC at the Club Officers training hosted by FRX Networkers on Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Fausto, Eradio and Julian

Last Thursday, January 21, the club had a very amicable gathering.  The club’s marketing and educational goals were discussed. The club also expressed gratitude to Burger King through one of its managers Eradio, for their support of the club. The next meeting will be Thursday, January 28th at 7:30 p.m.  Hope to see you there.

As a new calendar year begins we reflect on our dreams.  “..Every accomplishment we achieve first starts as a dream. Our dream then becomes a goal. With diligence, effort, the support of others and belief in ourselves, our goals become a reality”  (Gary Schmidt, DTM, International President, Toastmaster magazine January 2010).

It’s that time of the year again. Time to make those New Year’s Resolutions. Setting goals is a great strategy for success. Palisades Toastmasters club has held the two first meetings of this new decade. It  is in the mid fiscal year of its goals. What are they? Where does it stand? Come to the next gathering and find out what the members have to say.  During the table topics session you will be giving an opportunity to talk about your own personal goals.

When:  Thursday, January 21 at 7:30 pm

Where:  Burger King,  3501 Bergenline Ave. 2nd Floor Party Room, Union City, NJ 07087

RSVP: Palisades.TM@gmail.com or 201.334.2713

See you there!

Happy Holidays!

The next meeting will be Thursday, January 7, 2010.

Happy New Year!